GC: n
S: NatGeo (last access: 13 January 2026); IGI (last access: 13 January 2026).
N: 1. 1793, from French diplomatie, formed from diplomate “diplomat” (on model of aristocratie from aristocrate), from Modern Latin diplomaticus (1680s), from Latin diploma (genitive diplomatis) “official document conferring a privilege”.
Meaning “dexterity or skill in managing negotiations of any kind” is by 1848.
2. diplomacy, the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence. Modern diplomatic practices are a product of the post-Renaissance European state system. Historically, diplomacy meant the conduct of official (usually bilateral) relations between sovereign states. By the 20th century, however, the diplomatic practices pioneered in Europe had been adopted throughout the world, and diplomacy had expanded to cover summit meetings and other international conferences, parliamentary diplomacy, the international activities of supranational and subnational entities, unofficial diplomacy by nongovernmental elements, and the work of international civil servants.
Diplomacy is often confused with ‘foreign policy’, but the terms are not synonymous. Diplomacy is the chief, but not the only, instrument of foreign policy, which is set by political leaders, though diplomats (in addition to military and intelligence officers) may advise them.
3. Diplomacy contains a wide range of activities and functions, including political, economic, and cultural. Some different types of diplomacy are the following:
- civil diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, environmental diplomacy, economic diplomacy, health diplomacy, defense diplomacy, summit diplomacy, parliamentary diplomacy, shuttle diplomacy, nuclear diplomacy, sports diplomacy, citizen diplomacy.
4. Diplomacy: diplomacy.
- The art or practice of conducting international relations, as in negotiating alliances, treaties, and agreements.
5. Collocations:
Managing international relations:
- adjective + noun (diplomacy): careful, shrewd | ‘gunboat … ’ | international | secret | personal | traditional| preventive | shuttle| Anglo-French, European, Russian, etc.
- verb + noun (diplomacy): use.
- noun (diplomacy) + verb: go on.
- prepositions + noun (diplomacy): by/through.
Skill in dealing with people:
- adjective + noun (diplomacy): great | quiet.
- verb + noun (diplomacy): have| exercise, show, use | call for, need, require.
- prepositions + noun (diplomacy): by/through | with.
6. Cultural interrelation: We can mention two books, among many others.
- The Quiet American (1955) by Graham Greene (1904-1991), which is a criticism of diplomacy and U.S. foreign intervention in Vietnam.
S: 1. Etymonline (last access: 15 January 2026). 2. EncBrit (last access: 15 January 2026). 3. Collegehive (last access: 15 January 2026). 4. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 15 January 2026). 5. OZDIC (last access: 15 January 2026). 6. Amazon (last access: 15 January 2026); GR (last access: 14 January 2026)
SYN:
S:
CR: asylum, consulate, digital diplomacy, diplomat, embassy, expatriate, humanitarian diplomacy.
