Diplomacy in the 21st Century

"A clear, concise, and highly accessible explanation of how diplomacy works, and why it is important, Paul Sharp's book provides a timely and blunt assessment of both good and bad diplomacy."--Erik Goldstein, Boston University, USA

"A very welcome textbook from a seasoned teacher and path-breaking scholar of diplomatic studies. Sharp approaches his subject with intelligence and tact, writes engagingly and precisely, outlining the historical necessity, the key skills and virtues of diplomats, as well as the bad and problematic practices of diplomacy."--Costas M. Constantinou, University of Cyprus

"The clearly structured narration, well-explained history and concepts of diplomacy, excellent examples and straightforward language, combined with an up-to-date view of the challenges of modern diplomacy make this volume not only indispensable for students of diplomacy who have little background in the field, but also useful for the professional diplomat."--Ambassador Vahe Gabrielyan, Director of the Diplomatic School of Armenia

"With clarity, boldness, and originality of thought, Paul Sharp describes the essence of diplomacy – not just the formal institution but also the character of all human relations that reflect diplomatic values and norms. Often regarded as a weak force in international relations, the practice of diplomacy, if better explained and extended beyond the professionals to the general public, can strengthen an uncertain world order. Drawing our attention to the 'bad' actors (specifically, leaders, media, and followers) we are living with today, Sharp’s keen analysis suggests, logically, that diplomacy is a public 'good' that should be recognized as important and relevant to us all."-Alan Henrikson, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA

"Very few people challenge the idea that diplomacy today is in crisis. New technologies of communication allow decision-makers to communicate with each other and with the public without diplomats, while populist waves across democracies threaten traditional elites. Budgets of ministers of foreign affairs are shrinking. This book is precisely about this crisis – what is happening and why, why it should be worrying to everyone, and what we could do about it. Faced with bad leaders, bad media and bad followers, diplomacy needs to reinvent itself to adapt to the new – and sometimes harsh – realities of the 21st century. As this book masterfully shows, rather than focusing on the management of problems, diplomats, decision-makers and citizens alike need to learn again an ancient craft, the diplomatic management of relations between human beings. In this informed, accessible and timely book, Professor Sharp builds on his extensive knowledge and proven analytical skills to suggest possible solutions to the mess we are in. Anyone – students, the general public, professionals – with an interest for international politics should read it. It is particularly adapted as a textbook for undergraduate students in international relations courses."--Jérémie Cornut, Simon Fraser University, Canada

"Paul Sharp has written one of the best introductory texts on diplomacy to date. The book is commendably clear and engaging as it traces the wide arc of diplomacy from its origins to its intriguing contemporary forms. All chapters come with concise introductions, illuminating text boxes with excellent examples, succinct summaries, and thoughtful exercises for group activity. This makes the book eminently useful for undergraduates and diplomatic trainees. But this introductory text does much more: with its detailed treatment of the challenges to contemporary diplomacy, we have here a leading authority clarifying the stakes of why diplomacy and diplomats matter in an age of rapid technological, social, and political uncertainty."--Deepak Nair, Assistant Professor of Political Science, National University of Singapore