Dramatic transformation of professional diplomacy

Role of the diplomat - then and now:

Dr. G. K. Ananda Kumarasiri

Easily the most striking feature in the nature and substance of professional diplomacy in the modern world is the broadening of its scope and substance from its hitherto largely political moorings. Unlike their early predecessors, modern-day diplomats are involved beyond conventional political exchanges between Governments.

The advent of the Information and Communications Technology Age brought about even greater changes in the international environmental and consequently on professional diplomacy.

Diplomacy

Today, professional diplomacy embraces diverse matters such as international economics, international monetary affairs, financial policies and developments, cultural exchanges, educational collaboration, scientific and technological interchange, military affairs and a whole range of other state activities having a foreign or an external dimension. Furthermore, diplomats nowadays have to deal not only with a broad cross-section of public officials but also private individuals that include businessmen, artists, students and media personnel.

Aside from these dramatic developments, major scientific and technological advances have borne a qualitative impact on the methods, techniques and technologies deployed for conducting professional diplomacy.

Communication

High-speed communication introduced what has been aptly described as “instant tele-journalism”. This added profoundly to the influence of the media, and in turn, the power of public opinion on modern diplomacy, and willynilly, on the functions of the diplomat. Far-reaching developments of the communications revolution among other things have brought about the birth of what may be referred to as, ‘media diplomacy’.

Yet another major aspect of the transformation was the impact of trans-boundary communication.

The world has witnessed remarkable advancements in electronic communication. The international community has no doubt benefited enormously from the new frontiers breached by digital communication technology. These technological advances no doubt have enormously facilitated communication as apparatus of cross-cultural interaction. But at the same time, these advances have produced strong apprehension, even fierce protests, in a number of countries because of the ready access they offer to pornographic and other undesirable, even subversive, materials.

Day by day, nation states are increasingly experiencing the negative impact of the unrestricted flow of information or what is decried in many societies around the world as ‘trans-boundary cultural invasion’ or ‘the assault on indigenous cultural values’.

The technological benefits to be harvested from modern breakthroughs in communication are recognised.

However, the ability of these technological innovations to disseminate information across vast distances and into homes poses serious questions over privacy, control and stringent censorship. A growing fear has consequently emerged among governments that the communication revolution could well inundate and progressively undermine indigenous cultures, values, business systems, ethics etc. From one perspective the profound advances in communication can be regarded as powerful technological tools to project views, ideas and modern economic, social and cultural traits on a global scale. An opposing perception, however, is that the communication revolution represents a serious threat to national cultures and much treasured human values.

In the light of serious negative effects on society, many governments tend to regard the protection of indigenous cultures and socio-economic systems and values as a matter of high national importance. This explains the earnest request by countries for a comprehensive and effective monitoring, regulation and regularisation of electronic media to the greatest extent possible.

Regrettably, control and censorship are easier articulated than effectively realised. The issue is not merely a debate between freedom on the one side and restriction and censorship on the other. Nor is it a matter between individual choice and aspiration as opposed to larger community interests and concerns.

Bureaucracy

A significant development following upon the heels of the information communication technology was the expansion in the involvement of the bureaucracy in professional diplomacy and foreign affairs management. Practically all public agencies began to be involved with some important aspects of the country’s external relations. Today, not only diplomats but Ministers and officials from practically every Ministry dart from one capital to another to transact official business with their counterparts either bilaterally or multilaterally.

The spawning of multilateral diplomacy has been an equally striking development in the modern world.

Multilateral negotiations injected an additional dimension to professional diplomacy which had hitherto been conducted essentially on a bilateral plane. The new diplomacy, or more appropriately defined, the new functions of diplomacy, called for important changes in the traditional diplomatic methods and systems.

Modern communications technology made possible “Shuttle Diplomacy”. Likewise, “Summit Diplomacy”, that is, the conduct of diplomacy directly among heads of State and heads of government takes place so frequently nowadays. Today, with the help of modern telecommunications and jet-speed travel, the diplomat’s activities are being closely monitored and regulated by the government he represents.

In the wake of the profound communications and technological developments, professional diplomacy must, if it is to succeed in the future, adapt to changing times. This is best addressed by taking advantage of the advances in the field of communications and technology. As a matter of fact, there is today an increasing realisation that the sophistication of mass communication argues for a specific course of training of all diplomats. This would include simulating interviews and speeches on closed-circuit television on an array of issues.