Diplomacy

Diplomacy, the practical knowledge and application of the methods and rules of the intercourse of civilised nations. The study and formulation of these rules and methods arose as the Holy Roman Empire was weakened and the great military states of modern Europe grew up, from the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries. The governments of these States were mostly despotic, and in all cases the management of affairs was in fewer hands than at the present time. Diplomacy, therefore, commonly involved minute knowledge and observance of Court etiquette, considerable judgment of character, and a very high degree of astuteness and tact, combined very often with complete freedom from scruples, especially in dealing with unscrupulous persons. Hence the somewhat unfavourable associations the term has acquired in popular language. In modern times, owing to the growth of democracy and public opinion, the peculiarities of the persons composing the government of a country usually count relatively for less than they once did; and the invention of the telegraph and other rapid means of communication have tended to leave less to the individual ambassador than formerly. He is now commonly instructed by telegraph almost daily in all important international negotiations.

Classes of Diplomatic Agents. As disputes had often arisen between the representatives of different countries at a foreign Court as to their precedence and the ceremonial to be observed in receiving them (as to which there was much minute regulation and much jealousy), the Congress of Vienna, on March 19,1815, fixed the following classification: (1) Ambassadors, Legates, or Papal Nuncios; (2) Envoys or Ministers accredited to Sovereigns; (3) Charges d'Affaires accredited only to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country to which they were sent. In 1818 a class taking precedence of Charges d'Affaires - viz. Ministers Resident - was formally recognised by the protocol of Aix-la-Chapelle, but these are not numerous. Some French Consuls-General are also Charges d'Affaires. Envoys Extraordinary, strictly speaking, are sent on special missions, and take precedence over ordinary Ministers of the second class; but to secure this precedence, ordinary Ministers of this class often take the title of "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary." Commissioners to settle special questions - e.g. of disputed boundary - are a lower and special class of diplomatic agents. [Consul.]