Challenges to Diplomatic Negotiation
As modern technology makes war more costly, negotiations within and outside diplomatic conferences are becoming increasingly important, both as a peaceful decision-making and as a conflict-management mechanism. This article analyzes the nature and evolution of diplomatic negotiation and the challenges to its effectiveness.1 It argues that negotiations are vulnerable, unless they are protected by procedural frameworks, comprising rules, and conventions, such as those adopted in conference diplomacy conducted by organizations like the European Union. The study also raises questions about the future role of diplomatic negotiation processes in a globalizing world – and in the EU in particular – in which diplomats are losing their traditional predominance in international relations. It closes with several recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness, and thereby the significance, of diplomatic negotiation in the future.
This article defines diplomatic negotiation as an ‘exchange of concessions and compensations in a framework of international order accepted by sovereign entities.’2 It limits itself to negotiations between two or more states, inside or outside international organizations. The focus of this article is on political and diplomatic negotiation processes. International negotiations in general also encompass negotiations between people, companies, and non-governmental institutions across borders, but this dimension is left outside the framework of this contribution.
Bilateral diplomatic negotiations are relatively simple as far as structural complexity is concerned, but they could be difficult to handle if the parties’ positions are very polarized. These negotiations might be in need of third parties acting as facilitators or mediators. Multilateral diplomatic negotiations are much more complex, and complexity will have…