Diplomacy in the European State System

Renaissance Diplomacy

Modern diplomacy had its origins during the Italian Renaissance. Early in the 15^th century, a group of city-states developed in Italy, but none could dominate the rest, and all feared conquest by the others. The rulers of most of the city-states gained their positions through force and cunning.

Because they could not count on the loyalty of their subjects, these rulers hoped to maintain allegiance by seeking foreign conquest and treasure. They sought opportunities to increase their power and expand their domain and were always concerned about the balance of power on the Italian Peninsula.

Although Renaissance diplomacy was especially vicious and amoral, the Italian city-states developed a number of institutions and practices that still exist: (1) They introduced a system of permanent ambassadors who represented the interests of their states by observing, reporting, and negotiating. (2) Each state created a foreign office that evaluated the written reports of the ambassadors, sent instructions, helped to formulate policies, and kept vast records. (3) Together they developed an elaborate system of protocol, privileges and immunities for diplomats. Ambassadors and their staffs were granted freedom of access, transit, and exit at all times. Local laws could not be used to impede an ambassador in carrying out duties, but ambassadors could be held accountable if they actually committed crimes, such as theft or murder. (4) The concept of extraterritoriality was established. Under this principle, an embassy in any state stood on its own homeland, and anyone or anything within the embassy compound was subject only to the laws of its own country.

Answer the questions:

1. Where and when did modern diplomacy have its origins?

2. What kind of cities developed in Italy? Who ruled them and how?

3. What practices did the Italian city-states develop that still exist?

The rise of nations-states in 17^th-century Europe led to the development of the concepts of national interest and the balance of power. The concept meant that the diplomatic objectives of nations should be based on state interests and not on personal ambition, rivalry, sentiment, religious doctrine or prejudice. For example, gaining access to raw materials was in the national interest. The balance of power theory was based on a general interest in maintaining the state system by seeking an equilibrium of power among the most powerful nations. That diplomacy could be used to pursue both sets of interests was soon apparent.

Increasingly, the presence of the major powers became a staple in international politics. Although small countries might disappear, as Poland did when it was partitioned in the 18^th century, the great powers sought to manage their relations without threatening one another’s survival. At the same time, European diplomats were becoming increasingly professional and learned. The seamier side of diplomacy- bribery and lying, -was gradually replaced by a code of expected and acceptable conduct.

The European system of diplomacy suffered its first shock when Napoleon attempted to conquer Europe in the early 19^th century. After Napoleon’s defeat, the European system was “restored”, and no major wars occurred for the next hundred years.

Answer the questions:

1. What concepts developed with the rise of nation-states?

2. What did the concept of national interest and the balance of power mean?

3. How did the professional level of European diplomats change?

4. What was the seamier side of diplomacy? What was it gradually replaced by?

5. When did the European system of diplomacy suffer its first shock?

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