Diplomacy At Work Essay, Research Paper

Diplomacy at Work

In today?s world political society, the use of diplomacy is a tool that allows

countries to work out their differences in an attempt to avoid war. Diplomacy is

often one of the last steps taken by two nations before a war begins or even during a

war to stop a conflict. A terrific example of diplomacy and when it is used, is the

controversy between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the Mideast. These two

countries have been at arms for years and have just recently used diplomacy as a

tool to settle their differences.

Basically, diplomacy is a function of national power. This view was stated by

Hans J. Morgenthau and supported in his essay, The Future of Diplomacy.

Diplomacy, in the eyes of Morgenthau, is fourfold. First of all, diplomacy must take

in respect the objective and the means by which it can be attained. For example, if a

weak nation is trying to use diplomacy, it must first determine how much power it

has in relation to the country it is dealing with, and if it?s goals are attainable with

that amount of power. Secondly, Morgenthau says that a nation must also take into

respect the power of the other nation and the goal it is trying to reach. Basically, all

he is saying is that a country must also take into interest the objectives and

capabilities of the opposing nation. Thirdly, he states that diplomacy must

determine how compatible the two nations needs are. In simpler terms, diplomacy

determines whether or not two nations can come to a compromise with the issues at

hand. Finally, Morgenthau says that diplomacy must include the proper steps to

achieve a certain goal. Without one of these components it is believed by

Morgenthau that the diplomacy system would fail; thus, not solving the problem of

the two countries in its entirety.

An excellent example of diplomacy between nations is that of the Palestinian and

Israeli nations. The leaders of the these two nations, Yasir Arafat (Palestine) and

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel), have resorted to diplomacy to solve their

nations differences. Each of the concepts in Morgenthau?s theory were used to

make peace between the two conflicting nations. First of all, the leaders of both

nations recognized the long lived problem that they each faced. They came to the

conclusion that peace must be made between the two nations in order for them to

live in harmony. Each of the nations also acknowledged the capability and

willingness of the opposing nation to go to war. This is because they had fought for

many years before; thus, it was more than clear that war was not a boundary that the

nations were fearful of. Secondly, each country assessed the needs of the other

country. For instance, the Netanyahu government will allow 50,000 Palestinian

workers to obtain workers permits. This is an increase of 13,000 permits from

37,000 permits. Also, Israel will allow the opening of a Palestinian airport in the

Gaza, but the Palestinians allowed the Israelis to maintain security and inspection

rights. Although these are just two areas were compromise has been made; the

ability and will of the nations to compromise is very evident. Thirdly, each side has

viewed the others objectives and weighed how realistic they are in their own

national interest. In other words, both the Israel and Palestinian governments have

compromised on all the issues; thus, they have come up with a happy medium that

they can both deal with. Finally, each side went out and achieved the goal that the

wanted to. For instance, both sides came to the United States and made the

agreement publicly known, and used President Clinton as their witness to the events.

As one can see, the application of political terms to major political events is not

difficult. One can take almost any term in the political world and find it being

appreciated in the present day. Diplomacy is an excellent example of this because it

is used so often in the world political system. There are many other examples of

diplomacy being used in the everyday world. Businessmen use it to make a trade or

sell an item. Policemen use it to get to the bottom of a case. Basically, diplomacy is

used by all sorts of people in everyday life; one does not have to be a politician to

use diplomacy to achieve a goal.

Contreras, Joseph. ?Toothless in Gaza.? Newsweek 9 September 1996: 49.

Cooperman, Alan and David Makovsky. ?A Mideast Odd Couple.? U.S. News &

World Report 9 September 1996: 34-35.

Schmemann, Serge. ?Netanyahu Meets With P.L.O. Leader.? The New York

Times 8 September 1996: A1 & A8.