The Ancient Art of Diplomacy…

In the so not distant past, nations, leaders, powerful men would resolve their ever ending differences on gray, bloody battlefields. Wars would last years, even decades and the outcome would generally be indecisive. Today major political, economical and social disputes between “advanced” nations and states are resolved by diplomats, politicians, businessmen behind closed doors. The fast-track approach of short-term, maximum efficiency, political and economical gain is usually the most popular amongst modern-day diplomats. Their decisions are often not based on ethics and/or justice, the truthfulness of their arguments is therefore often disputed and contested. The honorable profession of diplomats and peacemakers has lost favor and prestige amongst ordinary people, especially in the developing world, who often consider diplomats and influential politicians as the masters of lies and falsehood.

The question for every diplomat, statesman, trying to reach a settlement between two parties is usually whether to lie or not. Lies that hide painful truths can make his life easy, enhance his communication strategy, his short-term popularity amongst the demanding public. There are many simple rules in diplomacy and one of the most important is to make the loosing party forget about its defeat and losses. People are born to fight, in many cases to the beater end. Realism often gives way to passion and instinct. Painful compromises are hard to swallow, especially by proud and brave men. How do you make them forget their honor and sense of duty towards their country? How do you break them?

Blurring the truth is one way. Another way is to search and exploit their personal weaknesses. A man’s true quality is proven in difficult times. Under systematic political and psychological pressure even the finest of men may break. What is more effective and efficient, to search for your opponents weakness or try to find grounds of common interest and understanding? Is morality essential when you defend your state’s interests? Do you seek cooperation or domination? Difficult questions to answer, especially by ordinary people like me that have no experience or knowledge on international affairs.

Do the rules of every-day diplomacy between ordinary people have any connection, similarities with those implemented in relations between states and international organisations? In their every-day business ordinary people often lie, stretch and/or hide the truth in order to be polite, sell goods, forge alliances etc. Our moral standing can probably be perceived as a reflection of how our state conducts itself in its dealings with us and the world in general. We demand honesty and integrity by those that represent us internationally, the question is whether we are ready to pay a price for it? On the other hand can we trust a diplomat that lies today in order to serve our interests, what if he betrays us in the future and does it for the opposite reasons? Can we find justice using immoral political and diplomatic tools, is it possible? Can we be honest in a world where dishonesty and greed are so often encountered?

All the above questions have been troubling me for years and I still have not found straight answers. Perhaps things will change, perhaps…

PS

How can you not admire people that can persuade others just with their words to lay down their weapons? Nevertheless this power some times scares me more than the sight of a lethal weapon.