Realistic guide to diplomacy and projecting state power
All of us will agree – state posses certain types of power, through which it influences international relations. In this guide, we shall not focus on nature of this power and where it comes from, because there are several theories of it, each one excluding other. However, each state – to certain degree – is able to spread it’ s influence into international area, trying to influence other counties to comply with their national or ideological interests. This power may be divided into diplomatic power, economic power and military power.
Diplomacy is weapon very often disregarded by NS players, despite the fact that many empires – like ancient China or Byzantine empire – relied on Diplomacy instead of force of arms to keep their enemies at bay. Both of these counties mastered manipulating their enemies, often turning one barbarian tribe against other, thus making them no threat for their empires. Traditional diplomacy is influencing other counties through negotiations, trying to convince them to take specific course of action. Some methods, used by diplomats, include:
- - Expressing unhappiness to target state’s actions, publicly or privately
- Offering better relationships with target state if certain actions done by target state would change
- Threaten negative consequences
- Adhere to international body seeking recognition for one’s actions
- Give target state something it needs ( Diplomatic recognition, economic aid) for exchange of specific action.
- Remove what target state wans (international aid, support )
Two counties are engaged in economic talks. Both are economic powerhouses, but have different systems of economy. Country B sells a lot of X to country A, but does not accepts other products from country A. Now, country A, world liberal benchmark, tries to support economic liberalization of county B, to balance trade. However County B sees no interest in changing their policies, because liberalization opposes their political interests of being economically and politically independent. Thus both players have much different perspectives about the situation, often not understanding what second side wants.
Interesting concept is also Public diplomacy. Goal of this concept is to create a diplomatic look around the country as diplomatic power. Example of it is series of travels undertaken by leaders, to promote certain image of the country.
Second important mean of influencing other states is through economic sanctions. Economic sanctions can be positive or negative, and are generally carrot or stick game. Positive sanctions are often carrot, trying to reward moves in desired direction. Negative sanctions are stick, trying to punish moves in not wanted direction. State economic ability depends on it’s economic potential and possible use of all economic assets it has. For example, key resource in weaker state can be useful way of negotiation with stronger state. Weaker states also can use mediators as mean to influence stronger state in certain direction they want.
Generally, economic sanctions may be divided into:
POSITIVE:
- Give the nation status of Most Favored Nation (MFN), which includes a lot of privileges
- Give them allowance to trade sensitive materials ( Military technologies, atomic technologies)
- Invest in target state when it seems too risky
- Allow key product of target state into your market at best terms
NEGATIVE:
- Freeze banking assets in your banking system
- Blacklist certain country
- Boycott goods and services
- Sanction certain products
Third, and most often – sadly – practiced mean on NS is use of force. Most of NSers use force like it was nothing, totally disregarding military and political realism. However, two major strategies used by counties are COMPELLENCE and DETERRENCE.
COMPELLENCE – trying through use of force or threats make the target undo something It has done.
DETERRENCE – Discourage target from use of force.
That is mostly how international relations look like. I hope this guide helps.
