Evolution of diplomacy

Ancient diplomacy

Diplomacy can only function where there human communities which exist independent
of each other, and thus have to rely on designated representatives if they want to
communicate. Historically, such communication become necessary as soon as in any
given region human population grew so numerous that groups could no longer avoid
contacts, and indeed had to compete for the same scarce resources. This normally led to
violent clash, and the first acts of diplomacy were efforts to arrange truces so that each
side could recover and bury its dead. Envoys would normally use sign language to show
their peaceful intent, and soon strong taboos were established to protect them against
violence from the warriors of the side with whom they were attempting to negotiate.

The practice of sending and receiving diplomatic agents has been followed since the
ancient time; one can find the practice in ancient India or Egypt, where evidence of
ancient treaties have been recovered. These treaties showed characteristics of modern
treaties of peace, friendship, alliance and commerce. Ancient diplomacy was however
not as uniform as it is today. Diplomatic agents were sent temporarily to other states for
some specific purpose. Once the purpose was fulfilled they were obligated to return back
to their home countries.

Greek and Roman Empire

In some regions of the world, situations developed where populations sharing a

common language, culture and religion were split into autonomous entities which had
to interact through a kind of diplomacy which often achieved a high degree of
sophistication. The Ancient Greek city states is the best depiction of an ancient society
that in some way conducted a form of diplomacy that is similar to today’s own.

The principles and methods of Greek diplomacy had in fact been developed by the 5 th
century BC into a recognized system to which much subsequent thinking on the subjects
owes its origin. Ancient Greek diplomacy provided one of the earliest and clearest
illustrations of the difficulty of reconciling efficient negotiation with the processes of
diplomacy.
In ancient Greek City states diplomats were sent only for specific negotiations, and
would return immediately after their mission concluded. Diplomats were usually
relatives of the ruling family or of very high rank in order to give them legitimacy when
they sought to negotiate with the other states.

The Greek City States on some occasions sent envoys to each other in order to negotiate
specific issues, such as war and peace or commercial relations, but did not have
diplomatic representatives regularly posted in each other's territory.

The most celebrated Ancient Greek conference of Sparta of 432BC is perhaps the
first account of a diplomatic conference and can give as a better understanding of how
diplomacy was conducted in this era. The conference was called by the Spartans to
decide on whether or not to go to war with Athens. However an Athenian diplomatic
mission or delegation was by chance in Sparta on other business and was invited to
address the Assembly and indeed to remain in Sparta even after a vote by Sparta and her
allies had been taken to go to war with Athens. Clearly then it had already emerged that
diplomats, enjoyed some form of protection and were afforded rights which other
visitors from Athens were unlikely to have been granted.

The Roman Empire also contributed to the advancement of diplomacy by negotiation as

we know it today. The romans were particularly noted for their contribution to the
advancement of international law.

The Byzantine Empire (also known as Eastern Roman Empire) on the other hand
created a form of diplomatic practice that helped it achieve its military and trade
interest. They transformed the traditional role of an envoy from an orator who simply
set out the emperor’s views, to a trained observer and negotiator attempting to interpret
what he saw for his master and to negotiate an accord which was most closely to the
liking of his master and of the empire’s interest.

Italian System

In Europe, early modern diplomacy's origins are often traced to the states of Northern
Italy in the early Renaissance, with the first embassies being established in the 13th
century. Milan played a leading role, especially under Francesco Sforza who established
permanent embassies to the other city states of Northern Italy. Tuscany and Venice were
also flourishing centers of diplomacy from the 14th century onwards. It was in
the Italian Peninsula that many of the traditions of modern diplomacy began, such as
the presentation of an ambassador's credentials to the head of state.

From Italy the practice was spread to other European regions. Milan was the first to
send a representative to the court of France in 1455. However, Milan refused to host
French representatives fearing espionage (spying) and that the French representatives
would intervene in its internal affairs. As foreign powers such as France
and Spain became increasingly involved in Italian politics the need to accept emissaries
was recognized. Soon the major European powers were exchanging representatives.
Spain was the first to send a permanent representative; it appointed an ambassador to
the Court of England in 1487. By the late 16th century, permanent missions became
customary. The rise of nationalism and the nation state system through the treaty of
Westphalia made it necessary for states in Europe to have permanent missions.

Treaty of Westphalia

What was the Treaty of Westphalia? The treaty of Westphalia also known as the
Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties signed between May and October
1648 in Germany. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) that involved
the Holy Roman Emperor; the Kingdom of Spain; the Kingdom of France; the Swedish
Empire; the Dutch Republic; the Princes of the Holy Roman Empire; and sovereigns of
the free imperial cities. This treaty is significant to our understanding of international
relations today as it the marked a new understanding of the State and the importance of
Sovereignty. Westphalian sovereignty is the principle of international law that
each nation state has sovereignty over its territory and domestic affairs, on the principle
of non-interference in another country's domestic affairs, and that each state (no matter
how large or small) is equal in international law.

Congress of Vienna- 1815

By the 17th century permanent missions were the rule and diplomacy had become an
established profession and a generally accepted method of international relations. By
the second half of the 17th century, diplomatic agents were given certain rights, duties
and privileges by states which tended to be identical in nature. This led to the
development of some customary rules of diplomacy.

By the 18th Century the Industrial America and French Revolutions led to a new era of
diplomacy. Diplomats in this period like Benjamin Franklin represented his nation in
the streets of Paris and London. He symbolized the coming era of a more democratic
form of diplomacy. The attempt to represent a nation rather a ruler imposed a more
complicated role of the diplomat. Indeed, it called for a new type of diplomatic agent
who also were required to get some skills and knowledge on the nature of international
relations. As diplomacy become more formal, its rules become more specific and
generally accepted. The Congress of Vienna of 1815 for the first time codified the
customary rules of international law on the ranks of diplomatic representatives.

Vienna Convention of diplomatic Relations

The institution of diplomatic agents continued to develop even after 1815. After the
establishment of the United Nations, the task for codifying the law relating to the
diplomatic agents was given to the international Law Commission. The Commission
prepared the draft articles and submitted them to the General Assembly of the United
Nations. The Assembly convened a conference which was attended by 84 nations at
Vienna in 1961. The Conference adopted ‘The Vienna Convention of Diplomatic
Relations’. The convention codified a significant part of customary international law
concerning diplomatic relations and immunities. In 1963 the United Nations adopted
‘The Vienna Convention of Consular Relations’, that was to guide member states on
consular affairs.