Essay/Term paper: Diplomacy at work

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Narrative Essays

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.


Bibliography

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.