The New Diplomacy
Themes for the 21st Century Series
1. Edition October 2002
160 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
The world of international relations has changed radically in the
last few years. Technological, social and political change have
combined to undermine the traditional assumptions of diplomacy
- in particular, the events of 11 September set in stark
relief the risks and dangers.
Shaun Riordan, a former British diplomat, draws on his own
experience, case studies, and current debates in international
relations to assess the performance of diplomatic services and to
sketch out the new diplomatic environment. Traditional diplomatic
services and structures are found wanting.
Riordan argues forcibly against realpolitik and for a more
pro-active diplomacy based on the promotion of ideas and values as
a better way of securing the West's long-term interests. In doing
so, he presses for radical re-structuring of diplomatic services,
replacing hierarchical with networked structures, and the creation
of new forms of global governance that incorporate NGOs and the
private sector, as well as government officials, in a broader
diplomatic effort.
1. Introduction.
2. Traditional Diplomatic Structures: Diplomacy as Bricks and
Mortar.
3. The Traditional Diplomatic Ideology - the Obsession
with the Billiard Ball.
4. The Changing World.
5. Political and Social Change.
6. The New World of International Relations.
7. Dismantling the Traditional Diplomatic Machine.
8. Public Diplomacy.
9. Towards a New Diplomacy.
Notes.
Index.
diplomacy and concludes that it cannot cope with the new dilemmas
of globalization, state failure and unconventional warfare. Based
on his own experience as a serving diplomat and wide scholarship,
Riordan's seminal book will be a vital resource for anyone
who wants to understand the realities of the developing
international system." Professor John Gray, London School of
Economics and Political Science
"The New Diplomacy is a gripping, pacey and controversial
jaunt through the enormous changes to the diplomatic environment
since the end of the Cold War. Mixing the experience of a
practitioner with some of the most important academic work on
diplomacy and international relations, this book is required
reading for any government, company or individual who wants to make
sense of life in an interdependent world." Mark Leonard, Foreign
Policy Centre
"This short, lively and coherent book critizises the culture of
traditional diplomatic services ... The book will provoke both the
ire and interest of diplomats, but also of scholars, company
executives and civic organizations" Political Studies
Review
