essay topics about diplomacy

75 Diplomacy Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on diplomacy, ✍️ diplomacy essay topics for college, 🌶️ hot diplomacy ideas to write about, 👍 good diplomacy research topics & essay examples.

• Termination of Diplomatic Functions: Persona Non Grata – Legal Basis and Political Implications
• French Diplomatic System
• Communism and Liberalism’ Diplomacy
• President Obama’s United Nations General Assembly Speech
• War and Diplomacy
• China’s Soft Power and Its Diplomacy in Taiwan
• The Book “Naked Diplomacy” by Tom Fletcher
• Corporate Diplomacy in Advancing Public Interest There has been a rise in corporate Diplomacy due to the trends toward globalization and free-market capitalism that began in the 1980s.
• US and Afghanistan: Diplomatic Ties and New Policy With the implementation of Obama’s strategy, international cooperation in tackling international terrorism will be strengthened.
• US Diplomacy Failures in 1981 to 1990 During the last ten years of the Cold War, the diplomacy of the United States experienced several failures, which subsequently resulted in military conflicts.
• Diplomatic Immunities and Abuse of Immunities The abuses are increasing because immunity is offered to diplomats who use it to protect themselves from being prosecuted even if they commit a crime.
• Discussing “Humoring Condi” by Condoleezza Rice The paper discusses the article, “Humoring Condi” focused on the legacy of the Secretary of State and written by Condoleezza Rice.
• American Diplomatic History. National Security Act of 1947 National Security Act of 1947 was a response to political changes in the world order and international politics and a protective measure aimed at defensing the American state.
• Fletcher’s “Naked Diplomacy” in the UAE’s Realm This work review Fletcher’s book and examines what aspects of the book can be useful to UAE diplomacy and UAE foreign policy and what cannot be applied.
• Voice of America during the Cold War The case of the Voice of America demonstrates the power of the public diplomacy. In order to establish a better environment for compelling transmission activity, the listeners have to acknowledge its impact on them.
• Public Diplomacy Profession, Its Significance, and Career To be successful in public diplomacy, one must be able to work with people, find understanding and common language with them, notwithstanding the size of the audience.
• Taiwanese Heritage Cultural Diplomacy Event The main goal of the ‘Taiwanese Heritage’ event is to leverage on the country’s cultural assets to create a favorable image of Taiwan in the American public.
• Ping-Pong Diplomacy in Sino-American Relations Ping-Pong diplomacy broke the ice in diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, changing the context of the Cold War.
• Historical Memory Discourse in Public Diplomacy The past plays a critical role in shaping the present and fostering a sense of belonging; as a result, the historical memories are the basis for social and political identities.
• Vienna Convention’s Role for Diplomatic Relations The most important idea of the Vienna Convention is that diplomats possess certain immunities and privileges in their work in host countries.
• The UAE Successful Economic Diplomacy Platform To attract foreign direct investment and tourism, the UAE must be peaceful and stable, free from violence and political as well as socio-economic tension.
• Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: Cultural Diplomacy Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was a prominent UAE diplomat who said that “honesty is the road to success.”. The paper discusses cultural diplomacy basing on honesty.
• Korean Wave Program Activity and Analysis The Korean Wave aims at the popularization of the Korean culture, its expansion to the strategically important regions, and the establishment of the cultural relationships.
• “Digital Diplomacy” a Book by Andreas Sandre Fletcher wrote a book that covers all existing ways to appeal to the public. The author’s preference is with personal connection between the authorities and citizens.
• The United States’ Foreign Policy towards Turkey 1958-1960 In the years between 1958 and 1960, the United States and Turkey made progress in their diplomatic ties. Turkey expected from the US political, military support and financial aid.
• The Future of Diplomacy: Changing Practices, Evolving Relationships
• Soft Diplomacy and Nation Branding Through Popular Culture
• Artificial Intelligence: To Strengthen or to Replace Traditional Diplomacy?
• UK Diplomacy at the UN After Brexit: Challenges & Opportunities
• Assertive China: Responding to Beijing’s Abrasive Diplomacy
• Countering the Authoritarian Challenge: Public Diplomacy, Soft and Sharp Power
• Disaster Diplomacy: Current Controversies and Future Prospects
• How Public Diplomacy Can Complement “Hard Power” Tactics in International Affairs
• The Old and New Significance of Political Economy in Diplomacy
• Global Health Diplomacy at the Intersection of Trade and Health During the COVID-19 Era
• Cultural Diplomacy as a “Soft Power” Tool in the EU-Russia Relations
• Sustainable Development Diplomacy in the Private Business Sector
• Public and Military Diplomacy Nexus in Foreign Affairs and Defense Policy
• Revisiting Foreign Policy Making: How to Revive Diplomacy
• Turning Weakness Into Strength: France’s Post-world War II Diplomacy
• The Connectivity of Culture: Innovating in Cultural Diplomacy
• Diplomacy & Democracy: 20th-Century Lessons for the Future of the Diplomatic Craft
• ASEAN’s Defense Diplomacy and China’s Military Diplomacy
• Does Economic Diplomacy Work? A Meta-Analysis of Its Impact on Trade and Investment
• Public Diplomacy as Co‐Constructed Discourses of Engagement
• The Need to Build Digital Diplomacy for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future
• Diplomacy of the 21st Century: Embedding the Culture of Science & Technology
• Persuading Through Culture, Values, and Ideas: The Case of Turkey’s Cultural Diplomacy
• Diplomacy in the Age of the Internet: Challenges and Prospects
• NGO Public Diplomacy as an Instrument of Global “Soft Power” Competition
• The Turkey-UK Free Trade Agreement in Terms of Economic Diplomacy
• Defining Health Diplomacy: Changing Demands in the Era of Globalization
• The Role of Diplomacy in the Fight Against Terrorism
• Exploring the Psychological Dimension in the Post-world War II American Diplomacy
• Mediating Estrangement: A Theory for Diplomacy
• Global Health Diplomacy Role in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
• China’s Diplomacy in the Pacific: Interests, Means, and Implications
• Diplomacy, Globalization, and Heteropolarity: The Challenge of Adaptation
• The Influence of Informal Groups in Multilateral Diplomacy
• Sports Diplomacy: How Sports Can Be Used to Improve International Relationships
• Thucydides or Kissinger: A Review of Smaller State Diplomacy
• Gender and Diplomacy: Opportunities & Challenges for Women in Diplomacy
• Management and Business Research on Commercial Diplomacy: Examining Trends and Themes
• Russia’s War in Ukraine and Transformation of the EU Public Diplomacy
• Does Disaster Diplomacy Improve Inter-State Relations?
• How Bismarck’s Diplomacy Was Crucial in the Process of Unifying Germany
• Faith-Based Diplomacy and Its Relationship to Government and Private Organizations
• Government and Diplomacy in the Roman Empire During the First Three Centuries
• Benjamin Franklin and the Nature of American Diplomacy
• Neo-Kantianism and Coercive Diplomacy: The Complex Case of Economic Sanctions
• Donor Anti-Corruption Reforms: Quiet Diplomacy and Its Discontents
• Management Peculiarities for the Practice of Business Diplomacy
• Public Diplomacy in the Digital Sphere: The Case of South Korea
• European Parliament’s Diplomacy as a Tool for Projecting EU Power in Times of Crisis
• Strategic and Economic Modality of Environmental Diplomacy

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These essay examples and topics on Diplomacy were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on December 27, 2023 .

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168 Current International Relations Research Topics For Any Level

Are you a student looking for intriguing international relations research topics? Look no further! In this blog post, we have created a list of 168 unique and thought-provoking research topics in the field of international relations that should help students get an A+ on their next paper.

Whether you’re studying political science, international affairs or related disciplines, this comprehensive list covers a wide range of fascinating subjects. From global governance to security issues, diplomacy, human rights, and more, these topics are designed to inspire your research and help you delve deeper into the complexities of international relations. So, grab your notepad and get ready to explore these captivating research ideas!

A Word On International Relations Theses

International relations is the study of interactions between nations and global actors. It examines politics, economics, security, and culture, exploring how countries cooperate, conflict and shape global dynamics. If you’re about to start working on a thesis in international relations and you are wondering what to include in your paper, here is a short explanation of each of the mandatory chapters:

Introduction: The opening section that presents the research problem, objectives, and significance of the study. Literature Review: A comprehensive review of existing scholarly works related to the research topic, providing a context for the study. Methodology: Describes the research design, data collection methods, and analytical techniques used to address the research questions or hypotheses. Findings: Presents the empirical results or outcomes of the research, often supported by data, analysis, and interpretation. Discussion: Analyzes and interprets the findings in relation to the research objectives, drawing connections to existing literature and providing insights. Conclusion: Summarizes the main findings, highlights the contributions to the field, and suggests avenues for future research. References: Lists all the sources cited in the thesis following a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

Now, it’s time to deliver on our promise and give you the list of international relations research paper topics. Choose the one you like the most:

Easy International Relations Research Topics

Explore our list of easy international relations research topics that will help you understand global politics and analyze the dynamics of international relations with ease

• The impact of globalization on state sovereignty and international relations
• Analyzing the role of non-state actors in global governance structures
• The influence of soft power in shaping international relations and diplomacy
• Exploring the relationship between human rights and international relations
• Examining the dynamics of economic interdependence in international relations
• The role of international organizations in promoting peace and security
• Assessing the impact of climate change on international relations and cooperation
• Analyzing the role of regional integration in shaping global politics
• The implications of cyber warfare for international relations and national security
• Examining the challenges and opportunities of humanitarian intervention in international relations
• Analyzing the role of ideology in shaping state behavior in international relations
• Exploring the impact of migration and refugee crises on international relations
• Assessing the role of international law in resolving conflicts and promoting peace
• Investigating the role of intelligence agencies in shaping international relations

International Relations Thesis Topics

Our wide range of international relations thesis topics will guide you towards developing a strong research question, conducting in-depth analysis, and contributing to the field with your original research:

• Power dynamics and the balance of power in international relations
• Exploring the role of diplomacy in conflict resolution and peacebuilding
• The impact of nuclear proliferation on international security and non-proliferation regimes
• Analyzing the role of international institutions in managing global crises
• The influence of nationalism on interstate relations and regional cooperation
• Examining the role of international norms and human rights in shaping foreign policy
• Assessing the impact of economic globalization on state sovereignty in international relations
• The role of social media in shaping public opinion and international relations
• Exploring the concept of hegemony and its implications for international relations
• The role of gender in international relations and its impact on policy-making
• Analyzing the role of intelligence agencies in shaping international relations
• The implications of emerging technologies on international security and arms control
• Examining the role of media and propaganda in international conflicts and public opinion
• The impact of regional integration on state behavior and international cooperation

Advanced International Relations Topics For Research

Dive into complex issues, explore cutting-edge theories, and unravel the intricate dynamics of global affairs with our advanced international relations topics for research:

• China’s global rise and its power dynamics
• Non-traditional security threats in international relations
• AI and warfare: Implications for international security
• Climate change, conflict, and forced migration in international relations
• Religion and politics in international relations
• Populism’s impact on global governance and international relations
• Social movements and civil society in shaping international relations
• Pandemics and international cooperation: Implications for global governance
• Cultural diplomacy and soft power in international relations
• Information warfare and disinformation in international relations
• Regional powers shaping global security dynamics
• Responsibility to protect and humanitarian interventions in international relations
• Resource scarcity and environmental degradation in international relations
• Migration and refugee crises’ impact on global stability

International Relations Research Questions

Our carefully curated list of international relations research questions will inspire critical thinking and promote meaningful discussions:

• How does power transition theory explain shifts in global power dynamics?
• What are the implications of the rise of non-state actors on traditional state-centric international relations theories?
• How do identity politics and nationalism shape interstate conflicts?
• What are the factors influencing state compliance with international human rights norms?
• How does globalization impact state sovereignty?
• What are the challenges of multilateralism in addressing global issues?
• How does public opinion influence state behavior in international relations?
• What are the causes and consequences of failed states in international relations?
• How does the distribution of power in international institutions affect their legitimacy?
• What are the implications of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, on international security?
• How do regional conflicts and security dilemmas impact regional integration efforts?
• What are the root causes of terrorism?
• How does economic interdependence shape interstate relations and global governance structures?
• What are the challenges of global environmental governance in addressing climate change?

International Relations Paper Topics

Choose one of our international relations paper topics that resonate with your interests and embark on an enriching research journey:

• The role of ideology in shaping state behavior in international relations
• Analyzing the impact of economic sanctions on diplomatic relations between countries
• The role of media and propaganda in influencing public opinion in international conflicts
• Exploring the relationship between globalization and cultural identity in international relations
• The implications of cybersecurity threats on national security and international relations
• Assessing the role of intelligence agencies in gathering and analyzing international intelligence
• Analyzing the impact of regional organizations on regional conflicts and cooperation in international relations
• The influence of international trade agreements on global economic and political relations
• Exploring the dynamics of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in international relations
• The role of international law in resolving territorial disputes and promoting peace
• Non-state actors in international relations: Influence and challenges
• Conflict resolution mechanisms: Negotiation, mediation, and peacebuilding approaches
• Diplomatic immunity: Balancing immunity with accountability in international relations
• The impact of global pandemics on international cooperation and security

Engaging Topic Ideas About International Relations

Are you seeking engaging and captivating topic ideas for your international relations research? Choose one of these engaging topic ideas about international relations:

• Global governance and international organizations in addressing global challenges.
• Nationalism’s impact on international relations and global cooperation.
• Soft power in shaping international perceptions and relations.
• Regional conflicts’ implications for global stability and security.
• Cyber warfare: Assessing evolving cyber threats in international relations.
• Media’s role in international relations: Influence, propaganda, and disinformation.
• Economic interdependence: Opportunities and risks in global relations.
• Diplomacy in the digital age: Challenges of virtual diplomacy.
• Global migration and refugee crises: Humanitarian and political dimensions.
• Human rights in international relations: Promoting universal rights.
• Terrorism’s impact on global security and counterterrorism efforts.
• Environmental diplomacy: Addressing global environmental challenges.
• Religion’s role in international relations.
• Regional power dynamics: Influence of major powers in different regions

Interesting International Relations Research Paper Topics

Uncover fascinating research paper topics in international relations that will captivate your readers and showcase your analytical skills. Use one of these interesting international relations research paper topics:

• Populism’s rise and its impact on international relations and global governance
• Climate change’s geopolitical implications: Conflicts, migrations, and resource competition
• Hybrid warfare: Analyzing blurred lines between conventional and unconventional threats
• Technology’s impact on diplomacy and the future of diplomatic practices
• Nuclear energy diplomacy: Balancing peaceful uses and proliferation concerns
• Soft power and cultural industries’ influence in international relations
• Politics of humanitarian aid: Challenges and ethical considerations
• Media framing’s impact on public opinion in international conflicts
• International cooperation in space exploration and its geopolitical implications
• Diaspora communities’ role in shaping international relations and global politics
• Migration policies and human rights: Balancing border control and human dignity
• Global health governance: Cooperation, challenges, and pandemic responses
• Environmental peacebuilding: Addressing conflicts over natural resources and degradation
• Economic sanctions: Effectiveness and ethical implications in international relations

Political Science Dissertation Topics

Our list of political science dissertation topics will provide you with a solid foundation for developing a unique research proposal and making a significant contribution to the field:

• The role of political ideologies in foreign policy and international relations.
• National security strategies and state behavior in international relations.
• Global governance and collective decision-making challenges in international institutions.
• Public opinion’s influence on foreign policy and international relations.
• Identity politics and intergroup relations in international contexts.
• Humanitarian interventions and the responsibility to protect.
• Geopolitics and resource conflicts: Strategic importance of natural resources.
• International law’s role in shaping state behavior and resolving conflicts.
• Comparative political systems in international relations.
• Political leadership’s impact on diplomatic relations and cooperation.
• International development assistance: Aid effectiveness and challenges.
• Non-state actors in global politics: Influence, networks, power dynamics.
• Intelligence agencies in international intelligence gathering and analysis.
• Political parties and foreign policy shaping

Current International Relations Topics For Research Paper

Stay up to date with the latest developments in global politics by exploring our selection of current international relations topics for research paper writing :

• Emerging technologies’ impact on global security and power dynamics.
• Transnational threats: Terrorism, crime, and cyber challenges in focus.
• Regional integration in globalization: Achievements, limitations, and prospects.
• Trade wars: Implications for global economy and cooperation.
• Disinformation and fake news: Influence on international politics and public opinion.
• Climate change negotiations: Progress and challenges in combating global warming
• Cybersecurity and emerging threats in international relations.
• Regional power dynamics in the Middle East: Implications for global security
• Global responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: Cooperation and challenges
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation in international policy
• Rising nationalism and its impact on international cooperation
• Humanitarian crisis in Yemen: International responses and challenges
• Technology and the future of warfare: Implications for global security
• The Belt and Road Initiative: Assessing its impact on international relations

Awesome Research Topics For International Relations

Our awesome research topics for international relations allow you to explore diverse areas of global politics and contribute to the field with your exceptional research:

• NGOs’ role in shaping international policies and agendas
• Humanitarian interventions and the responsibility to protect: Effectiveness and ethics
• Cybersecurity challenges in international relations: Risks and responses
• Global migration governance: Policies and implications
• Globalization vs national sovereignty: Impacts on state behavior
• China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Geopolitical influence and challenges
• Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation: Effectiveness of treaties
• Gender in international relations: Impact of norms and policies
• Post-colonial perspectives in international relations: Power dynamics and legacies
• Climate justice and international cooperation: Addressing climate change
• Regional organizations in global governance and international relations
• Politics of humanitarian intervention: Strategies and outcomes
• Political economy of international trade: Impact of policies and agreements
• Populism’s impact on democracy and international relations

Controversial International Relations Topics

Delve into the realm of controversy and discourse with our thought-provoking controversial international relations topics:

• Drones in targeted killings: Legal and ethical implications
• Nuclear energy and non-proliferation: Benefits and risks
• Intervention in state sovereignty: Legitimacy and consequences
• Ethics of economic sanctions: Effectiveness and impact on civilians
• Cyber warfare and international norms: Regulating cyber conflicts
• Climate change’s impact on national security and conflicts
• Intelligence agencies in covert operations and international relations
• Politics of humanitarian aid: Motivations and challenges
• Ethics of military intervention: Justifications and consequences
• Politics of regime change: Motivations and implications
• Media bias’s impact on international perceptions and diplomacy
• Private military companies: Challenges and accountability
• Politics of disarmament and arms control: Progress and challenges
• Corporate interests’ influence on foreign policy and relations

Best International Relations Topics For 2023

Stay ahead of the curve with our selection of the best international relations topics for 2023. These carefully curated topics reflect the current trends, emerging challenges and pressing issues:

• COVID-19 pandemic’s implications on global politics and international relations
• Rise of populism and its impact on democracy and international cooperation
• Cybersecurity challenges in a hyper-connected world: Risks and responses
• Future of international cooperation in addressing global challenges and conflicts
• Climate change and security: Implications for international relations and stability
• Evolving role of regional powers in shaping global politics and relations
• Technological advancements’ impact on state power and international relations
• Global governance reform: Restructuring international institutions
• Social media’s role in shaping international perceptions and political movements
• Challenges and prospects of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
• Intersection of artificial intelligence and international relations
• Impact of trade wars on global economic relations and cooperation
• Geopolitical tensions in the Arctic: Resource competition and influence
• Future of multilateralism: Relevance and effectiveness in a changing world

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With our safe and reliable service, you can trust that your paper is in good hands. Whether you’re a college student or in any class, our custom online assistance will ensure that you receive top marks on your international relations research paper. Don’t stress, let our professional service assist you and help you get an A+ on your next international relations research paper!

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How do I choose a research topic in international relations?

Consider your interests, current events, and gaps in existing literature to identify an area of focus. Brainstorm potential topics and ensure they align with your research objectives.

What makes a strong international relations research paper?

A strong research paper includes a well-defined research question, solid theoretical framework, rigorous analysis, credible sources, and logical structure. It should also contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

How can I narrow down my international relations research topic?

Consider specific regions, actors, theories, or policy areas within international relations. Narrowing down your topic will allow for a more focused and manageable research paper.

Can I use case studies in my international relations research paper?

Yes, case studies can be valuable in providing empirical evidence and in-depth analysis. They help illustrate theoretical concepts and offer real-world examples to support your arguments.

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Diplomacy Dissertation Topics Ideas

Published by Owen Ingram at January 5th, 2023 , Revised On March 24, 2023

Diplomacy dissertation is an interesting and important academic pursuit, especially given the current global climate. The ability to navigate potentially challenging international relationships is an invaluable skill for anyone in public service or those looking to work in international relations. This research requires students to identify a specific area of diplomacy and then build their understanding of relevant concepts and theories through rigorous analysis.

The topics for a diplomacy dissertation can vary widely, depending on the interests and abilities of the student. For example, those interested in global politics may want to explore themes such as military interventions, humanitarian aid, or foreign policy decisions.

For those more focused on economics, topics such as trade agreements or economic sanctions could be explored. There are also interesting questions related to law that could be addressed by delving into diplomatic immunity or international criminal law.

When Should a Student Choose a Diplomacy Dissertation Topic?

When it comes to choosing a dissertation topic for a diplomacy major, the possibilities are nearly endless. So, of course, it can be overwhelming to make such an important decision. It is essential to consider what type of research you want to conduct and what kind of project you want to work on to help narrow down your choices and make the process easier.

Some students prefer a more theoretical approach, focusing on international relations theory or how different countries interact diplomatically with one another. Others may be more interested in researching specific historical events that shaped global events or policies implemented due to diplomatic efforts. Answering these questions will help you identify the topics best suited for your dissertation project.

Once you have identified potential dissertation topics that fit your interests, doing primary research on each option is essential.

List of Diplomacy Dissertation Topics

• Conceptualising equidistant diplomacy in international relations: the case of Singapore
• The role of public diplomacy in international relations in the full process of globalisation
• Introduction: Commercial diplomacy and international business: merging international business and international relations
• Democracy and diplomacy: The impact of domestic politics in US foreign policy, 1789-1994
• Diplomacy, domestic politics, and the US-India nuclear agreement
• Diplomatic practices, domestic fields, and the international system: Explaining France’s France’s shift on nuclear nonproliferation
• Germany at Maastricht: diplomacy and domestic politics
• Japanese foreign policy on climate change: Diplomacy and domestic politics
• Streaming diplomacy: Netflix’s domestic politics and foreign policy
• Domestic politics, international bargaining and China’s territorial disputes
• Revisiting pipeline politics and diplomacy: from energy security to domestic politics explanations
• China’s diplomacy: Theory and practice
• Who “won” Libya? The force-diplomacy debate and its implications for theory and policy
• Diplomacy theory and practice in Islam
• International security in practice: the politics of NATO-Russia diplomacy
• Conspiracy theories as a Russian public diplomacy Tool: The case of Russia Today (RT)
• Teaching diplomacy by other means: Using an outside-of-class simulation to teach international relations theory
• Naval diplomacy—a theoretical approach
• China’s strategic partnership diplomacy
• Rising star: China’s new security diplomacy
• China diplomacy, 1914-1918
• China’s oil diplomacy in Africa
• Beyond diplomacy? UK relations with China since 1997
• The concept of ”community of common destiny in China’s diplomacy: Meaning, motives and implications
• Social media and public diplomacy: A comparative analysis of the digital diplomatic strategies of the EU, US and Japan in China
• Diplomacy and War at NATO: The secretary general and military action after the cold war
• The gulf conflict, 1990-1991: Diplomacy and war in the new world order.

What is the Importance of Choosing the Right Diplomacy Dissertation Topic?

Choosing the right topic for your diplomacy dissertation can be difficult. However, selecting an appropriate research question is essential for producing meaningful and engaging work. When choosing the most suitable topic, you need to consider several factors: its relevance in today’s world, how much data and literature are available as support, and whether or not it is something that interests you.

A good diplomacy dissertation topic should tick all these boxes; it should allow you to explore a relevant issue from multiple angles and express your opinion within the context of current affairs.

This will ensure that your research has value beyond the academic setting by providing important insights into real-world challenges and helping inform future policymaking decisions. Moreover, if your chosen subject matter genuinely excites you, this enthusiasm will shine through in your finished product – improving its overall impact even further.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

FAQ’s About Diplomacy Dissertation Ideas

Can i use these topics for my dissertation.

Yes, you can use these topics for your dissertation. Though, other students might have used these topics.

Does ResearchProspect provide customised and unique diplomacy dissertation topics?

Yes, we do provide customised and unique dissertation topics. To place an order , visit our website.

Can you make a research proposal on my selected topic?

Yes, we can make a research proposal on your selected topic. You can check out our website for more information about our proposal writing services or order a research proposal topic.

When to choose the diplomacy dissertation topic?

It is important to choose diplomacy dissertation topics at the outset of the dissertation whenever it is assigned. It takes a great deal of time to research a dissertation, so you will save a lot of hassle if you choose a topic ahead of time.

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Taking up diplomatic studies is a practice that long ago earned admiration from young people due to the impressive range of opportunities and prospects it gives them. To chase a degree in diplomacy means to keep pace with the business, political, and even social tendencies circulating in society. And, as it happens, pursuing professional and academic goals in diplomatic studies can be pretty challenging, given the somewhat complex nature of this global field of study. And this especially gets tough when it comes to writing papers on diplomacy.

And this is where individuals, for whom diplomacy is a true obsession, come to help! We have decided to compile the top ideas for your diplomacy essay. Now, brace yourself!

• Write About Poignant Issues

Although political and social studies are where current challenges of life are mainly explored and highlighted, diplomacy also displays a lot of problems and pitfalls that require prompt reaction and sound solutions. For this reason, covering relevant problems and subjects that the world is dealing with today is a pretty reasonable solution for writing your paper in diplomatic studies! Make sure to find the most critical and trending subjects connected with diplomacy and pick the one to your liking. Remember that, before you start writing, you need to properly research the problem you’ve chosen to explore as well as use reliable scientific sources.

• Chose the Subject Relevant to Your Country and Its Diplomatic Relations With Other Countries

In your paper in diplomatic studies, it’s important to cover the issues that have global diplomatic significance. However, depending on the current political situation in your country, it might be better to dedicate your essay to the problems that have to do with diplomacy in your particular country. Study the issues your country is currently facing and pay close attention to every major problem your government handles. And, to make your paper look like the excellent pieces they develop at the services where your pals buy cheap courseworks , be sure to write from an unbiased, impartial point of view.

• Write About Trending Challenges Connected to Diplomacy

Today’s poor world witnesses a lot of hot-button issues encapsulating people and events. And, of course, not all of these issues are related to diplomacy, obvious as it might sound. The confrontation between vegans and non-vegans, sexism, racism, the controversial activism of Greta Thunberg , and many other manifestations of the world’s rapid development and tragic decadence – these challenges of today can be smartly connected to diplomacy in your paper, brightly highlighted within the context of diplomatic relations. All you need to do is conduct substantial research of the problem, connect it to the world’s diplomatic situation, and sketch a plan of your future paper.

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Practicing Peace and Conflict Diplomacy in a Complex World

What role can diplomacy play amid renewed great power competition and a weakening liberal international order?

Monday, June 14, 2021 / By: Ashish Kumar Sen

Publication Type: Analysis

A combination of a weakening liberal international order, sharpening U.S.-China rivalry, growing transnational threats, shrinking space for civil society and rising nationalism and populism has complicated the practice of peace and conflict diplomacy. A new volume of essays examines approaches to such diplomacy in this complex environment.

“ Diplomacy and the Future of World Order ” explores the future of peace and conflict diplomacy in three arenas: managing great power competition and potential confrontation, managing others’ conflicts and managing threats to the international system, as is currently being posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Chester Crocker, James R. Schlesinger professor of strategic studies at Georgetown University and an editor of the book.

The book’s contributors — 20 experts from around the world — offer three broad scenarios for the future: a return to a Cold War-like situation, a return to a liberal rules-based order and variable geometry or a la carte multilateralism, said Crocker. Each scenario requires a different kind of diplomacy.

The first scenario would likely require transactional diplomacy; the second values-based, governance-based diplomacy; and the third “a concert depending on the issue” at the regional or functional levels that is based on specific challenges, said Crocker.

Crocker delivered remarks at a virtual event hosted by the U.S. Institute of Peace on June 10. George Moose, vice chair of USIP’s board of directors, moderated a panel discussion that included Fen Hampson, chancellor’s professor at Carleton University; Barbara Bodine, director of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy; Solomon Dersso, founding director of Amani Africa and chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Jean-Marie Guéhenno, a distinguished fellow in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution; and See Seng Tan, a professor of international relations at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Dersso, Guéhenno and Tan contributed chapters to “Diplomacy and the Future of World Order.” Hampson and Pamela Aall, a senior adviser on conflict prevention and management at USIP, are the two other editors of the book.

A Changed and Complex Environment

International relations are no longer primarily about “managing threats to a well-understood balance of power,” said Lise Grande, USIP’s president and CEO. It is now also about “managing the realignment of power and addressing threats to the planet, ending humanitarian catastrophes including pandemics.” To meet these challenges, Grande recommended new methods of diplomatic collaboration.

Hampson described three kinds of diplomacy that characterize relations between states:

• Instrumental or competitive diplomacy : developing spheres of influence and managing alliances.
• Stabilization diplomacy : managing relations, de-escalating conflicts or preventing them from escalating.
• Governance diplomacy : developing new norms of state behavior.

The changed global environment has created obstacles to the practice of peace and conflict diplomacy. “Some would argue that we are moving into a world of much more competitive or instrumental diplomacy,” said Hampson. However, noting the enhanced risk of an escalation of great power conflict, he added: “It is fair to say that if we are going to manage great power relations, we’re going to need heavy doses of stabilization diplomacy.” This type of diplomacy includes confidence-building measures, reviving arms control and strengthening nonproliferation regimes.

On the other hand, Hampson predicted less demand for governance diplomacy — marked by democracy building and peacebuilding — which, he said, has become much harder to do because it faces a lot more pushback in the current environment. Hampson said that the book makes a strong case for concert diplomacy as the principal form of international cooperation in the third decade of the 21st century. Unlike, the 19th century version of concerts, the 21st century version will have a lot more variable geometry in terms of the participants who promote cooperative solutions to problems of global order and conflict management. They will work together in a pragmatic manner to promote new norms, rules of the road and approaches to global cooperation.

Biden’s Embrace of Diplomacy

President Joe Biden has championed the United States’ return to diplomacy and multilateralism. “Diplomacy is back at the center of our foreign policy,” he proclaimed at the State Department on February 4. Last week, the president was in the United Kingdom participating in the G-7 summit in Cornwall.

Bodine worries that many observers believe that by simply hitting the reset button the United States will return to a time when it saw itself as indispensable and irreplaceable on the world stage. Such thinking is flawed, she said.

Over the past four years, Bodine said, the world has moved on without the United States. “Our place in diplomacy and our place in multilateralism has changed,” she said.

“America is back at the table,” Biden declared at the end of the G-7 summit. But Bodine described nationalism as a major challenge, noting that many more countries are now defining their interests and deciding their tools in many cases irrespective of great powers. “We don’t get the daddy chair back,” she said.

The Case for Agile Diplomacy

Diplomacy has become far more complex. Bodine said diplomacy has become fragmented and layered, both horizontally — with more states engaged in diplomacy today — and vertically — with state as well as nonstate actors involved in diplomacy.

Bodine made the case for diplomacy that is agile, flexible and adaptive. Contending that most issues facing the world today are not amenable to military or hard power solutions, she said diplomacy is “going to have to be front and center.”

“The bottom line,” Crocker said, “diplomacy is going to be a central challenge and a central requirement for the age that we are now entering.” Like Bodine, he recommended diplomacy that is agile, networked laterally and builds consensus around issues. Such diplomacy requires working with a range of actors, both official and unofficial. Guéhenno said the most likely of the three scenarios mentioned in the book is the third one — practical cooperation in an ad hoc manner. “It’s not going to be big powers coming together and deciding what the future of the world is going to be. … That top-down approach is gone for good,” he said. Instead, he predicted a “horizontal approach” in which actors who care about a particular issue will come together to try and address it. Such cross-cutting alliances between different types of actors will make the world resilient, he said.

Caught in the Middle

As the rivalry between the United States and China, and to some extent Russia, has escalated countries around the world have found themselves caught in the middle.

Tan said the U.S.-China rivalry is a major challenge in Southeast Asia. It has “raised the prospect of the major powers becoming spoilers rather than providers and enablers of peace and security,” he said. It has also “compressed the strategic space” available to small nations to conduct diplomacy, he added.

Tan said Biden’s assurance that the United States will take seriously its role as a global leader is welcomed in Southeast Asia. “What the Biden administration has promised the region — that it will in the midst of strategic rivalry with China, nonetheless, seek ways to cooperate with China — is a message that the Asian region welcomes very, very strongly,” said Tan, adding that this approach creates an opportunity for regional actors to “nurture great power relations in ways that would move the region toward much more positive peaceful ends.”

Dersso said Africa, too, doesn’t want to be forced into choosing sides in a great power competition. Describing the interrelationship between regional and international architectures for peace and security, Dersso said that when great power competition paralyzes the United Nations Security Council on handling African issues, it also affects how these issues are handled in the African Union (AU), which relies on collaboration, coordination and support from the international system. Such a situation “can affect the effectiveness of an already struggling peace and security architecture that is trying to stand on its feet,” he added.

Moose suggested that peacekeeping is one area where the United States and China have a shared understanding. China also has major investments in Africa which it wants to protect and so there will be political support for some “transformed peacekeeping,” Guéhenno, a former UN under-secretary general for peacekeeping, said.

Ineffective Regional Organizations

Around the world, regional organizations are struggling with peace and conflict management.  In Southeast Asia, Tan said, the impact of the U.S.-China rivalry is evident on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has been hamstrung by its members’ national interests.   In Africa, Dersso said, the AU may find itself paralyzed because of a lack of consensus among its member states.  

In the Middle East, there is the Arab League, which Bodine, a former U.S. ambassador to Yemen, said is a “hollow organization.” She also noted that the Gulf Cooperation Council, which for a while served as a “default Arab League,” had until recently been riven by infighting. Describing the regional actors as the major source of conflict in the Middle East, Bodine said: “Looking to regional actors to help with conflict management — you’re asking the arsonist to come and put out the fire.”

Transnational criminal actors, including cyber criminals, have further complicated peacemaking around the world. The fundamental challenge posed by these actors is that they have no real interest in “full peace” or “full war” as both those situations hurt their business, said Guéhenno.

Unlike during the Cold War, when there was a “defining issue” and a “defining power,” now there is neither, said Guéhenno. “No power or group of powers has enough influence to really shape the world. And that really raises the question whether there can be any kind of international order without the existence of such a power. It is a question that really challenges the United Nations every day,” he added, describing this as a “sense of loss of control.”

Diplomacy as an Orchestra

In closing remarks, Aall emphasized the changing nature of diplomacy and the much more complex playing field. She said it is all the more important to create room for other actors, including NGOs, local civil society, business and others to have a voice in diplomacy.

Returning to the idea of concert diplomacy, Aall said making space for new actors will mean some chairs in the orchestra will need to move over and everyone will have to learn new pieces. Predicting that diplomacy is only going to get more complicated, Aall said: “But with good orchestration and perhaps co-conducting of several conductors, we may get to a point where peace and conflict diplomacy, which includes all these different actors, is in fact more effective than it has been in the past.”

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The greatest challenge to peaceful coexistence between North Korea and the United States is the technical state of war between the two countries. The United States and the Soviet Union may have been at ideological loggerheads, used proxies in regional conflicts and come close to direct superpower blows — but they were not in a state of war. Resolution of the Korean War should be set as a stated U.S. policy objective. This is a necessary Step Zero on the road to peaceful coexistence with North Korea today and could reduce the risk of deliberate or accidental conflict, nuclear or otherwise.

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Global Policy ;  Peace Processes

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New perspectives on diplomacy: a new theory and practice of diplomacy; New perspectives on diplomacy: contemporary diplomacy in action

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Saskia Postema, New perspectives on diplomacy: a new theory and practice of diplomacy; New perspectives on diplomacy: contemporary diplomacy in action, International Affairs , Volume 98, Issue 1, January 2022, Pages 316–318, https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiab249

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If there is anything constant about the state of the world, it is that it is forever changing and evolving. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that one of the essential tools for managing it––diplomacy––has to adapt continually as well. In their diptych New perspectives on diplomacy , editors Jack Spence, Claire Yorke and Alastair Masser aim to provide insight into the diverse set of contemporary challenges that diplomacy faces, both in theory and in practice. With the international order in flux, diplomats remain indispensable, but the wide array of tasks they fulfil has vastly changed throughout the last couple of decades. Together, the books form an excellent first introduction into a wide range of diplomatic perspectives, specialisms and challenges––including COVID-19––that are deserving of further research.

The two books both include ten chapters, with the first volume focusing on A new theory and practice of diplomacy and the second on Contemporary diplomacy in action . While it is not entirely clear what sets each collection apart, both are equally ambitious in scope. With chapters that focus on the ethics of diplomacy, coercive diplomacy, intelligence, emotions, counter-diplomacy and small state diplomacy, to name a few, the first volume provides an interesting and refreshing mix of focal areas. Additionally, the clear structure, where each chapter includes both a theoretical and practical subsection, makes for a pleasing read. However, the title of the volume suggests a more expansive focus on practice than the book currently offers. The inclusion of just one chapter written by a practitioner is somewhat disappointing, though nonetheless valuable.

The second volume, Contemporary diplomacy in action , mirrors the same structure, with nine chapters provided by academics and one by a practitioner. With its focus on contemporary diplomacy in practice, the book nicely complements the first volume. Many of its topics were introduced in the initial book but had yet to be expanded on: environmental diplomacy, digitalization, publicization and the role of gender in diplomacy. Whereas the first book highlights trends, it is this second book that, for the most part, zooms in on current, topical challenges.

Yet there is less cohesion in the second volume, with some chapters drawing on theoretical frameworks, and others providing a historical perspective or a case-study instead. Moreover, despite the focus on current challenges, various chapters highlight the traditional––though essential––role that diplomacy continues to fulfil in conflict and war, which perhaps betrays the background of the editors in War Studies. While these surely remain a staple of diplomacy, they do not necessarily offer an innovative or new perspective, contrary to what the title suggests. Still, the book certainly also provides space for contrasting opinions, which is demonstrated by the inclusion of Thomas Colley's and Francesca Granelli's contributions in the same volume, in which they focus on the role of citizens and social movements respectively.

A recurring issue in the two volumes, however, is the lack of non-western or non-Anglo perspectives. Even when focusing on the importance of describing identity or summit diplomacy, this is mostly done through a US lens (see e.g.: Pablo de Orellana's and Barbara Zanchetta's chapters in A new theory and practice of diplomacy ). Notable exceptions are the chapters on South Africa by Flavia Gasbarri and on small-state diplomacy by James Gow in A new theory and practice of diplomacy , and on the Russian concept of ‘information war’ by Ofer Fridman in Contemporary diplomacy in action . This is also alluded to by Negah Angha and Inga Kristina Trauthig in their chapter on ‘The Middle East and North Africa in the twenty-first century’. They explicitly qualify their approach as one that focuses on the western public diplomacy response to what happened in the region ( Contemporary diplomacy in action , p. 79). Similarly, Bonnie Jenkins's valuable contribution on gender in diplomacy from her perspective as a practitioner is limited by its focus on US domestic agencies. This can, at times, result in the practitioner's perspectives reading as merely anecdotal, instead of indicative of general trends ( Contemporary diplomacy in action , p. 213).

Nevertheless, the two volumes of New perspectives on diplomacy explore a wide array of both new phenomena and challenges, as well as new areas of research within the field of diplomacy. Rather than providing generic arguments on the impact of such phenomena as globalization and digitalization, the various chapters zoom in on specific developments. In doing so, the volumes rightly draw attention to the diversification of issues, tasks, agency and actors. As Granelli succinctly concludes: ‘diplomacy must balance vertical and horizontal, formal and informal, tactical and strategic––and, moreover, do so in a space where secrecy is far from guaranteed’ ( Contemporary diplomacy in action , p. 178). The recognition of both diplomacy's unchanged fundamentals and its forever changing context is well balanced. However, the volumes would benefit from a more outspoken focus on non-western and non-state actors, and more diversity in authorship. While Spence, Yorke and Masser acknowledge this in their conclusion, the chapters included could have been more reflective of the sentiment that ‘Western approaches to war and diplomacy are too restrictive’ ( Contemporary diplomacy in action , p. 220). While the diptych's ambitious aim of highlighting diversification in ‘both theory and practice’ is simultaneously its shortcoming, it will certainly inspire innovative future research. In conclusion, this is a good introductory starting-point for scholars, practitioners and students with regard to the wide array of both traditional and new notions of diplomacy, and the challenges they face.

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25 Diplomacy Examples

Diplomacy incorporates the skills and practices required to effectively navigate and manage relationships, be they between governments or individuals.

These skills and practices commonly involve communication, negotiation, empathy, and tact, which when applied skillfully, contribute to a smooth exploration of differing interests and lead toward successful resolution of differences.

• In the realm of foreign relations , this manifests as the artful management of international affairs. Here, diplomats engage in negotiations, draft treaties, and represent their respective countries in a peaceful, collaborative manner.
• Within interpersonal relations , diplomacy refers to the approach one takes to maintain harmonious relationships. This is achieved by handling sensitive issues with care, discretion, and respect for the thoughts and feelings of others.

Whether within governmental proceedings or personal relationships, the core of diplomacy lies in managing interactions with sensitivity, strategic communication, and a priority towards peaceful conflict resolution.

Diplomacy Examples

Interpersonal diplomacy, 1. navigating differences in a group.

Diplomacy in a workgroup scenario involves recognizing, acknowledging, and navigating through the diverse perspectives brought forth by different team members. This can mean facilitating open dialogue, actively listening to varied viewpoints, and finding common ground among differing ideas. Such practice builds a collaborative and harmonious working environment, mitigating the risk of potential conflict.

Sample Scenario: A diplomatic team member would suggest a brainstorming session, encouraging everyone to share their ideas. Each point of view is validated, and a collective decision is made. This promotes a fair and collaborative work environment .

2. Handling Constructive Criticism

In dealing with issues related to problematic behaviors, diplomacy might involve a gentle presentation of observations, coupled with tangible suggestions for improvement – or, what we call constructive criticism . This diplomatic approach focuses on offering a perspective that encourages growth rather than blame, thereby preserving the dignity and self-esteem of the individual receiving the criticism.

Sample Scenario: A friend has been exhibiting some behavior which, if unchecked, may harm their relationship with others. Instead of bluntly pointing out the fault, a diplomatic approach would involve framing the comment as praise for things you appreciate, coupled with a gentle suggestion for improvement.

3. Tactful Communication

Tactful communication is the ability to deliver difficult or sensitive messages in a thoughtful and considerate manner, ensuring the receivers don’t feel unnecessarily hurt or defensive. It fosters openness and respect in all kinds of relationships. Be aware of your open nonverbal communication , in particular.

Sample Scenario: In a family setting, a member needs to voice concern about another member’s frequent late-night activities, which have been disturbing their sleep. They tactfully express their concern, focusing on the issue, not the person, ensuring the message comes across without causing offense.

4. Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution involves identifying and addressing disputes in a balanced, respectful manner, aiming towards a peaceful and satisfactory solution for all parties involved.

Sample Scenario: A notorious feud between two neighbors over boundary issues escalated into a community-wide problem. A diplomatic individual intervened, heard both sides of the argument, and proposed an amicable solution leading to peace.

5. Active Listening

Active listening involves attentively hearing the speaker, understanding their viewpoint, and engaging with them in a meaningful way, which respectfully values their opinions. This may include body language to demonstrate you care about what they say, and asking follow-up questions demonstrating engagement.

Sample Scenario: An employee is feeling anxious due to increased workload and brings it up to their team leader. The leader actively listens, assures the employee that their feelings are valid, and collectively discusses ways to manage the workload better.

6. Negotiation

Negotiation involves reaching a mutual agreement between parties with differing interests. A good negotiator addresses the needs and desires of each communicator, acknowledges points of overlap in thoughts and opinions. and ensures benefiting solutions leading to harmonious outcomes.

Sample Scenario: A young couple is disagreeing on their honeymoon destination. Through diplomatic negotiation, they decide to spend a few days at each of their preferred locations, thus crafting an itinerary that includes both their interests.

Empathy is not just about understanding another person’s perspective but also emotionally connecting with their situation. Empathy bridges gaps, makes individuals feel seen and heard, and builds stronger, more respectful relationships. This can achieve the goal of a diplomat: to achieve productive solutions for all.

Sample Scenario: A friend is upset as they have been passed over for a promotion. Instead of dismissing their feelings, a diplomatic approach would involve empathizing with them, acknowledging their disappointment, and assuring them of their worth and potential.

8. Resolving Conflicts Among Friends

In friendship scenarios, diplomacy helps manage disagreements without damaging the relationship. It usually involves impartial mediation, which navigates the situation through active listening and advocating for a resolution that respects both sides’ views.

Sample Scenario: Two friends are having an argument over a misunderstanding. A third friend steps in, facilitates a constructive conversation that helps both friends to see each other’s viewpoint and find a common ground.

9. Maintaining Professionalism in the Workplace

Professional diplomacy emphasizes maintaining decorum in the midst of disagreements. It calls for respectful dialogue, where one expresses their views without devaluing others’ opinions. This maintains a civil environment that fosters harmonious professional relations , even when opinions vary greatly.

Sample Scenario: During a meeting, two colleagues have opposing ideas about a project. By practicing diplomacy, they each express their views and understand the value of the others’ using respectful conversation, thereby preserving their professional relationship.

10. Addressing Sensitive Topics in Personal Relationships

Personal diplomacy requires tact and discretion when dealing with delicate matters. It involves approaching delicate topics in ways that do not offend or upset the other person yet address the issue at hand. This respectful approach results in maintaining trust and the health of the relationship.

Sample Scenario: A person, suspecting that their friend might be struggling with loneliness, appropriately brings up the topic. Instead of suggesting that the friend is lonely, the person might ask if they’ve been feeling disconnected from people lately, and express their willingness to help.

11. Navigating Cultural Differences in Interactions

Cultural diplomacy involves understanding, acknowledging, and respecting cultural differences while interacting with individuals belonging to different cultures. This creates an atmosphere of mutual respect that strengthens the bond between diverse individuals or communities.

Sample Scenario: An individual is interacting with someone from a different culture and realizes that a particular topic might be sensitive to their culture. They tactfully steer the conversation to a more universal theme respecting the cultural sensibilities, embodying the diplomatic handling of diversity.

12. Mediation

Mediation, a crucial diplomatic skill , revolves around navigating disputes impartially. It bridges the gap between conflicting parties, paving the way to a mutual understanding. Critical to its successful application are communication savvy, enduring patience, and deep understanding.

Sample Scenario: Amidst clashing ideas between team members on a project approach, a manager adept in mediation steps in. Through facilitating dialogue, he helps them unravel the crux of the dispute, guiding them towards a solution that respects both views.

See Also: Mediation Examples

13. Validation

Validation is at the core of diplomacy, building on the principle that every voice matters. You’ll notice this with therapists, for example. They will validate the client’s thoughts and feelings before asking them to delve deeper. This ensures the speaker feels seen and heard. It’s an affirmation of their experiences, confirming they matter.

Sample Scenario: During a heated group discussion, one member noticeably remains silent. Another group member, practicing active listening, invites the silent individual to share their opinions, validating their importance to the group’s collective decision-making process .

14. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence , a key diplomatic skill, pertains to the conscious understanding and effective management of one’s own emotions and those of others. This ability is pivotal in understanding and responding adequately to multifaceted social circumstances. It enables the creation and maintenance of healthier, empathy-centric relationships.

Sample Scenario: During an emotional outburst from a colleague, another employee adept in emotional intelligence maintains calm. They reach out, acknowledging the colleague’s feelings without judgment, and offer support, easing the situation and preserving their professional relationship.

15. Crisis Management

Crisis management involves the effective identification and resolution of crises or potential crises. This skill demands strategic thinking , quick and informed decision-making, and seamless communication. It works towards resolving issues promptly and maintains stability during challenging times.

Sample Scenario: When a project faces a sudden setback due to unforeseen circumstances, a project manager proficient in crisis management promptly assembles the team. They discuss the issue, develop a contingency plan, and communicate the next steps to keep the project on track.

International Diplomacy

16. treaty negotiations.

Significant diplomatic skills are showcased in negotiating international treaties. Delegates from across the globe work towards building a consensus, aiming for shared or global benefits. The successful negotiation process signifies a triumph of diplomacy.

Sample Scenario: A prime example of this is the Paris Climate Agreement. Dedicated diplomacy saw nations around the globe come together to collaborate on mitigating the impacts of climate change, demonstrating cooperative international effort.

17. Peace Talks

Peace talks are one of the portfolio areas of international diplomats. They mediate dialogues between conflicting parties to prevent military confrontations or end ongoing conflicts. The goal is to establish stable peace and foster international harmony.

Sample Scenario: The numerous peace talks between North and South Korea exemplify this. Thanks to diplomatic negotiations helping manage tensions, a series of confrontations have been averted, contributing to relative global peace.

18. Human Rights Advocacy

Advocating for human rights on the global front is a diplomatic endeavor. It involves advocating for universal human rights norms, seeking to protect vulnerable populations. This advocacy may require addressing sensitive issues with national governments, or lobbying in international fora.

Sample Scenario: Diplomats frequently raise cases of human rights violations, such as those happening in conflict zones, at sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council. They work towards implementing international standards to protect and advocate for the victims.

19. Health Diplomacy

Health diplomacy involves the negotiation between nations to achieve a global health agenda. It is about aligning the health interests of multiple stakeholders, promoting broad health outcomes. Such diplomacy works towards a healthier, safer world.

Sample Scenario: An example of health diplomacy is the worldwide coordination for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Scores of diplomats formed strategies to ensure fair and equitable vaccine distribution, showcasing the role of international cooperation.

20. Trade Agreements

Trade agreements require involving various diplomatic techniques like negotiation, communication, and alliance to create win-win situations for the implicated parties. They establish the foundation for international trade, outlining the rules and regulations benefiting each participant. It’s about ensuring economic growth and regional integration.

Sample Scenario: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is one such example. The diplomatic efforts by parties involved led to the creation of one of the world’s largest free trade zones, boosting economic growth across the continent.

21. Cultural Exchange Programs

Cultural exchange programs are a form of diplomatic engagement, promoting cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect. They facilitate the exchange of ideas, traditions, and practices among diverse cultures. The goal is to nurture international friendships, debunk stereotypes, and foster global collaboration.

Sample Scenario: The Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S., is a classic example. By offering scholarships for students and professionals across the globe, they foster the exchange of knowledge and understanding between countries.

22. Climate Diplomacy

Climate diplomacy involves negotiations to address the global threat of climate change. It combines science, policy, and international relations to seek mitigation and adaptation strategies. The focus of this diplomatic venture is sustainable development and environmental preservation.

Sample Scenario: The recent COP26 Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow demonstrated climate diplomacy in action. Delegates discussed ambitious global targets for reducing carbon emissions, showcasing the collective commitment to combating climate change.

23. Defense Diplomacy

Defense diplomacy is the practice of using defense resources for diplomatic benefits. It entails military-to-military contacts, peacekeeping operations, and defense aid. This form of diplomacy seeks to establish and sustain alliances, contributing to global stability.

Sample Scenario: A manifestation of defense diplomacy in action is the U.S.’s provision of military aid to allied nations. This diplomatic act reinforces strategic alliances and promotes peace and stability.

24. Diplomatic Recognition

Diplomatic recognition involves one state acknowledging the legitimacy of another state or its government. It serves as an official acceptance that establishes and fosters international relations. The process underscores mutual respect and formalizes diplomatic interactions.

Sample Scenario: When South Sudan gained independence in 2011, its priority was to seek diplomatic recognition from other nations. With formal acceptance from a host of countries, South Sudan established its presence on the global stage.

25. Non-Interference Policy

The policy of non-interference is a cornerstone of diplomatic relations among nations. It respects the sovereignty of states, asserting that no state should interfere in the internal affairs of another. This diplomatic principle is recognized universally and promotes peaceful international relations.

Sample Scenario: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has a principle of non-interference in its charter. Member states commit to refraining from intruding in each other’s internal affairs, fostering regional harmony and cooperation.

Diplomacy, whether applied internationally or on an interpersonal scale, promises enduring benefits. It fosters peaceful relationships and promotes mutual understanding between people of otherwise largely differing views.

At an international level, diplomatic initiatives champion worldwide cooperation, protecting global peace, and encouraging socio-economic progress.

In personal domains, it fortifies relationships, allowing for respectful disagreements, increased empathy, and a shared sense of camaraderie.

Altogether, the benefits of diplomacy correspond to a more harmonious, progressive, and resilient global community, serving as a testament to its indubitable significance.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

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Articles on Diplomacy

Displaying 1 - 20 of 380 articles.

Lost in translation: the geopolitical risks of declining foreign language learning in Australia and NZ

Geoffrey Miller , University of Otago and Miriam Neigert , University of New England

President Yoon is lauded in West for embracing Japan − in South Korea it fits a conservative agenda that is proving less popular

Myunghee Lee , Michigan State University and Sungik Yang , Arizona State University

‘We take this for granted’: why the ASEAN-Australia relationship needs a jolt of youthful leadership

Nicholas Farrelly , University of Tasmania

China’s increasing political influence in the south Pacific has sparked an international response

Owen Greene , University of Bradford and Christoph Bluth , University of Bradford

South Africa’s military is expected to do more than ever with tighter budgets: how the force has declined over 30 years

Theo Neethling , University of the Free State

Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland upends regional dynamics, risking strife across the Horn of Africa

Alemayehu Weldemariam , Indiana University

South Africa’s foreign policy under Ramaphosa has seen diplomatic tools being used to provide leadership as global power relations shift

Anthoni van Nieuwkerk , University of South Africa

I’m an expert in diplomatic gift giving. Here are my 5 top tips for the best Christmas present exchange

Samantha Happé , The University of Melbourne

Henry Kissinger has died. The titan of US foreign policy changed the world, for better or worse

Lester Munson , University of Sydney

Don’t be fooled by Biden and Xi talks − China and the US are enduring rivals rather than engaged partners

Michael Beckley , Tufts University

International reaction to Gaza siege has exposed the growing rift between the West and the Global South

Jorge Heine , Boston University

Israel-Hamas war puts China’s strategy of ‘balanced diplomacy’ in the Middle East at risk

Andrew Latham , Macalester College

Martti Ahtisaari: the Finnish peacemaker who played midwife to Namibian independence

Henning Melber , University of Pretoria

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have a new defence alliance: an expert view of its chances of success

Moda Dieng , Université Saint-Paul / Saint Paul University and Philippe M. Frowd , L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

France’s decision to leave Niger was a bad move: three reasons why

Olayinka Ajala , Leeds Beckett University

We asked 1,000 Zimbabweans what they think of China’s influence on their country − only 37% viewed it favorably

William Hatungimana , Oklahoma State University and Haruka Nagao , Oklahoma State University

Asian women are still a minority in diplomatic positions: this is how we can fix this

Athiqah Nur Alami , Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN) ; Ganewati Wuryandari , Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN) , and Mario Surya Ramadhan , Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN)

G20 summit proved naysayers wrong – and showed Global South’s potential to address world’s biggest problems

Ransom or realism? A closer look at Biden’s prisoner swap deal with Iran

Klaus W. Larres , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The US and China may be ending an agreement on science and technology cooperation − a policy expert explains what this means for research

Caroline Wagner , The Ohio State University

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Honorary Fellow, Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations, Monash University

Associate Professor of History and Asian Studies, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, UNSW Sydney

Lecturer in Middle East Studies, Deakin University

Professor and Director of the Policy Innovation Hub, Griffith Business School, Griffith University

Professor of History and International Affairs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Honorary Professor of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand

Senior Lecturer in Global Studies, Social Science & Planning, RMIT University

Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

Associate Professor in US History, University of Nottingham

Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney

Professor of International Relations, Jean Monnet Professor of European Security, National University Odesa Law Academy

Professor of Chinese Politics; Director, Lau China Institute, King's College London

Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Deakin University

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Need a thesis topic?

Postgraduate research required on contemporary diplomacy.

The following list of topics includes old subjects crying out for new interpretations as well as seriously under-researched subjects of more recent vintage.

Embassy branch offices As far as I’m aware, there is no published research on this subject at all, so it’s a particularly good opportunity for a thesis. It’s true that there are probably only between 20 and 30 embassy branch offices or annexes* worldwide. But those that exist are usually important and very interesting; see for example my revised blog on US Embassy London’s Croughton annex in the English midlands (to be posted shortly) and the secret deal signed by Russia and Israel reported in June 2023 for the opening of a Russian Embassy branch office in Jerusalem (possibly now on pause, I would have thought). Why were they established? How are they staffed? What, if any, special bilateral agreements between sending and receiving state govern their staffing? What are their advantages and disadvantages? The more modest project would focus on just one branch office, as I did in part in my blog just mentioned. A more ambitious one would cast the net wider with a view to identifying common patterns between them. Ideally, this would require choosing a sample, which would obviously require some thought and almost certainly be complicated by a great variation in the availability of source material between different branch offices. I would start by googling ‘embassy branch office’, make a list and take it from there.

* The usual term is ‘branch office’, although very occasionally ‘annex’ is used instead, as in the case of US Embassy London’s outlier by 74 miles at Croughton in the English Midlands: ‘London Annex Croughton’. But so-called embassy branch offices have to be examined carefully because this term is now sometimes used as a synonym for a purely consular post. The term ‘annex’ has the advantage of suggesting a more intimate connection with the embassy, which should reinforce its diplomatic privileges and immunities, and avoids any confusion with consular posts; but it is more commonly employed to describe a physically separate part of the embassy on its main site. The US State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual states that ‘Branch offices of an embassy are part of an embassy’s facility located and staffed in a city other than the capital of a country.’ I regret that we omitted to tackle this point in The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Diplomacy. My own working definition is as follows: ‘Branch offices of an embassy are part of its facility located and staffed at some distance remote from the main site but [less there should be any misunderstanding], by definition, still entitled to full diplomatic privileges and immunities.’

Israel’s ‘permanent delegation’ in Iran I learned recently from numerous secondary sources (easily found on the web, e.g. here and here ) that Israel had been allowed a ‘permanent delegation’ in Tehran prior to the overthrow of the Shah and the inauguration of the Islamic Republic in 1979; and that at this juncture this was closed down and its premises handed over to the PLO. I have also seen it claimed that at some point before this ‘ambassadors’ had actually been exchanged. It would be extremely interesting to know a great deal more about this: the exact timeline, the size and character of the staffing, chief roles and so on. It would be equally interesting to know by what means relations between the two states were conducted when they quickly improved again following the outbreak of the terrible Iran –Iraq War in 1980. (Israel and Iran shared an interest in the defeat of Iraq and this war lasted until 1988.)  After exhausting the secondary sources, anyone interested in choosing this topic should turn to the primary sources pages of this website, especially Official Publications . I am not familiar with American archives but have just searched ‘ Iran AND Israel ’ in the British National Archives at Kew in London and brought up some very interesting looking folders. The online archives of The New York Times might also be worth a search, although it has a (low) paywall. Check out, too, the Tehran diplomatic lists to see if they record the ‘permanent delegation’, which is unlikely, although it should record the staff of the embassy if and when it was actually upgraded to this status (see Boxes 83 and 84 here , requiring a visit to KCL); ditto the Israeli lists in the KCL collection. This should be enough to get you going.

Honorary consuls

In a series of freely available articles (see Further reading on this page ), ProPublica and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists have recently put the spotlight on the extent and seriousness of the abuse of this institution by some states. This has made me realize the need for more academic research on the subject in general, including its great value for smaller states in particular. How widespread is the use of such consuls? Do some states favour the appointment of persons in certain kinds of work rather than others? How much control – if any – do sending states have over the individuals they appoint? How do the privileges and immunities of honorary consuls compare with those of career consular officers, in law and in practice? These are the sort of questions that need to be answered.

I think it essential to begin by getting a handle on the legal position. Lee and Quigley’s Consular Law and Practice , 3rd ed (OUP 2008), is not a bad place to start but it has only 13 out of a total of 664 pages on honorary consuls and is in any case out of date. There is, therefore, really no substitute for making a start by grappling yourself with the papers produced by the ILC in the late 1950s and early 1960s that issued in the VCCR 1963. The ‘Comment’ that follows each draft article is particularly valuable in providing succinct insights into the thinking that went into them. The place to start is the Analytical Guide to the Work of the International Law Commission: Consular intercourse and immunities . It takes a bit of getting used to and the length of the documents to which the investigator is drawn look forbidding, but (a) only a small proportion of them deals with honorary as opposed to career consuls, and (b) they are searchable. Then start searching the web for articles on contemporary practice, e.g. by the Baltic states, before tightening your focus and digging deeper.

Secret hostages in Thai-PRC diplomacy, 1956- In 1956, Sang Phathanothai, a senior Thai official and close confidante of his prime minister, secretly sent two of his children, a daughter of eight and a son of twelve, to live as privileged guests of the leadership of Communist China. Secrecy was essential because Thailand was publicly closely aligned with the United States in the Cold War and host to a massive American embassy and CIA contingent. The son, Wai, was deported during the notorious Cultural Revolution a decade later but the daughter, Sirin, remained in China until 1970. Albeit on Thai rather than Chinese initiative, this was an extraordinary resurrection of a key device of the tributary system of the old ‘middle kingdom’, which was designed to signify recognition by a lesser power of the status of the greater regional power and, in this instance, provide a personal guarantee of good conduct – or as good as was possible in the circumstances. The Thai hostages case was drawn to my attention by my Diplo colleague, Kishan Rana , who tells me that the same practice was employed on the subcontinent in relations between the Rajput maharajas and the Mughal court.

There were evidently other contacts between the PRC and Thailand, which had a very large Chinese community, so this would make an absorbing case study in diplomacy without diplomatic relations. Did the CIA know about Sirin and Wai? What role did they actually play in Chinese-Thai relations relative to other channels? Because it is the key primary source on Sirin and Wai, and also because it is readily accessible, the place to begin is Sirin’s fluent and absorbing memoir of the episode, The Dragon’s Pearl: Growing up among China’s elite (Simon & Schuster, 1994) , written with the assistance of American historian James Peck .  What secondary sources there are on the subject I have no idea but online American primary sources which provide good contextual material and at the least clues to the questions I have posed, are abundant. See, for example:

ADST’s Thailand Country Reader. Among the few of the many interview transcripts here that I have read, I found the lengthy interview with Economic Officer Kempton B. Jenkins, Bangkok 1954-6, particularly useful. NB these oral history transcripts follow the long list of names of interviewees, which isn’t immediately obvious. They are also easily searchable using your own computer’s ‘Find on page’ function since the ‘reader’ is one huge page.

CIA docs on Thailand.

Foreign Service List 1956 . Shows great size of US Embassy Bangkok, and the names give clues to further research. Many lists for later years can also be found online.

Contact groups A t the end of May 2020 seven former British foreign secretaries suggested a contact group as the way forward in the crisis provoked by China’s threatening attitude to Hong Kong; see The Guardian 1 June 2020 . However, in the 5th edition of my textbook, Diplomacy: Theory and Practice , I argued (pp. 262-3) that this diplomatic device had a fatal disadvantage. Was I wrong? [May 2020]

Health attachés Among other questions: Why they are important, especially in a pandemic, and – despite this – why few embassies have them. This is a topical and seriously under-researched subject. See my blog of 20 May 2020 on this subject ( ‘Where have all the health attachés gone?’ ), which has links that should get you started. Hard work on online diplomatic lists will also pay dividends, as will the open files of some governments’ foreign and health ministries. [May 2020]

Diplomatic security: Security at British diplomatic posts Diplomatic security is the term now usually preferred to ‘diplomatic protection’ for the steps taken by states to safeguard the fabric of their diplomatic and consular missions, the lives of their diplomatic and consular officers, and the integrity of their communications. It is an important subject but was largely neglected until this year, when Diplomatic Security: A Comparative Analysis , edited by Eugenio Cusumano and Christopher Kinsey, was published by Stanford University Press. However, while a useful first step, this volume of essays has marked limitations, as I argue in a review for H-Net . The upside of this is that it offers multiple launching points for further research. A case in point is British practice in providing mission security because the chapter on this by Kinsey is heavier on general reflexes, bureaucratic support at home, and the types of security personnel involved than on exactly how it is delivered in practice. It is true, as he says, that – for good reasons – all governments are tight-lipped on current security measures but some documents are availabIe at the National Archives in London up to the late 1980s which are sure to give some insight into the British tradition – and thus to likely echoes in current practice. With the exception of three documents, Kinsey has not done this research, as far as I can tell from his endnotes, so I opened the ‘Discovery’ page filtered for 1950+ and keyed the following terms into the Search box:

‘embassy defence’, ‘embassy compounds’, ‘diplomatic security’, and ‘diplomatic protection’. Excluding those on communications, which I ignored, the following are the likely looking files these searches turned up:

• FCO 58/4941: ‘Security and protection of diplomatic missions and representation’ (1988)

• FCO 58/3704: United Nations: protection of diplomats (1984)

• FCO 58/698: United Nations discussions on protection of diplomats (1972)

• FCO 98/682: European cooperation on protection of diplomats (1979)

• FCO 33/3848: ‘Security of UK diplomatic missions following assassination of Sir Richard Sykes, HM Ambassador, The Hague, March 1979 (1979)

• FO 1043/91: Potential break of diplomatic relations: defence of British Embassy (Addis Ababa) (1966)

• FCO 31/3527: New building: British Embassy compound, Addis Ababa (1982)

• FCO 7/3783: Embassy security in Bogota (1980)

• FO 371/180599: HM Embassy security (Vietnam) (1965)

• WORK/10/270: Embassy Security Measures (Baghdad) (1942-52)

• FO 366/3439: New embassy compound projected for Jedda (1965)

• FCO 8/3521: British Embassy in Abu Dhabi: development of compound (1980)

• FCO 17/1435: Safety of foreign embassies in Amman: grenade explosion in chancery compound of British Embassy, 18 June (1971)

• FCO 7/6520: Diplomatic representation of the UK in Argentina: security of British Interests Section, Buenos Aires (BISBA) (1986)

• FCO 79/546: Central Policy Review Staff (CPRS) review of overseas representation: paper on security constraints (1976-7)

• FCO 8/1358: Reports on security inspections of political residences and agencies in Persian Gulf (1970)

• FCO 79/125: Report of the Review Committee on Overseas Representation under the Chairmanship of Sir Val Duncan, ‘Duncan Report’: Interdepartmental Steering Committee; Sub-Committee on security problems (1969)

• FCO 37/3323: Protection of diplomatic staff and property in Nepal (1983)

• FCO 58/2005: Terrorism, diplomatic hostage-taking and Nordic item on the protection of diplomats (1980)

• FCO 41/869: Consultations in WEU on protection of diplomats from kidnapping and terrorism (1971)

• FO 371/100324: Protection of non-diplomatic British staff at Iron Curtain posts; comment and suggestions on position of non-diplomatic staff at Moscow; US State Department attitude to the problem (1952)

If you are interested and are able to visit the archive, you could do worse than to check them out, bearing in mind that some will prove to be useless.

The following files were helpfully located and used by Kinsey, although the numbers are, of course, National Archives’ catalogue numbers used for ordering, not FCO file numbers, as suggested at his endnote 20:

• FCO 93/2447: British Embassy in Lebanon, including security of HM Ambassador (1980)

• FCO 31/2942: Inspection of British High Commission, Kampala, Uganda (1980)

• FCO 7/2760: Bomb explosion outside the British Ambassador’s house, Buenos Aires, 25 April 1975 (1975)

NB. When citing a document from one of these files, it should be preceded by ‘TNA’, the preferred acronym for The National Archives at Kew in London. For fuller, authoritative guidance on citing sources from this archives, see here .

Another freely available online resource on this subject, which Kinsey rightly uses, is this: House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Report 2003– 2004 ,  Eighth Report of Session 2003–04, Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence, HC 745,  23 September 2004, pp. 29-33, Ev 78-80, and search ‘security’ in this document:

Representative offices: de facto embassies, quasi-embassies, or lobby groups? I have posted here a lengthy Research Note (Project 2) under this heading which I hope will give ideas for both MA and PhD theses. I have placed it on my ‘Current Research’ page because it was the quickest way to get it up but I do not propose to do any further research in the area myself. A thesis could concentrate on just one representative office, a class of offices (e.g. those with no diplomatic status at all), a receiving state’s policy towards representative offices, the invention of the ‘mission’, and so on. There’s plenty of scope here, and it’s important because the separatist tendencies that produce representative offices show no signs of weakening. Even in the so-called ‘United Kingdom’ they are being stimulated dangerously by the lunatic fringe behind the Conservative Party government. Scotland voted strongly to remain in the EU but is being dragged out by the English-dominated Parliament. [10 February 2019]

The problem of  ‘sham diplomats’ ‘Sham diplomats’ are individuals  (usually wealthy or influential in their own countries) who have no relevant qualifications whatever and secure diplomatic posts in order solely to obtain diplomatic immunity for personal reasons. They usually hold ranks below head of mission and are therefore not exposed to much scrutiny – or much, if any, work. (For these reasons, they are not identical to the ‘political appointees’ commonly made by US presidents to ambassadorships.) They present an important public policy question that became topical in the UK in 2016 with the Estrada v. Juffali case , and it is crying out for investigation. What is the size of the problem? Are some kinds of state more guilty of it than others? Is it usually easier to make ‘sham’ appointments to permanent missions to international organizations than to embassies to states and, if so, why? What can be done about the problem without breaking diplomatic law (see especially Articles 9 and 39.1 of the VCDR )? These seem to me to be the main questions to be tackled. The work of Professor Craig Barker is a good place to start. You would also need to study the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (or ‘General Convention’) (1946) and the numerous more specialized conventions shaped so heavily by it: the various ‘headquarters agreements’ (plus later amendments) as well as the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies (1947) and national implementing legislation. An example of a headquarters agreement is that between the IMO and the UK (1968), see esp. Art. 7.

Interests sections in US-Cuba relations US-Cuban relations have been much under scrutiny since their dramatic improvement beginning in 2014. Nevertheless, as far as I am aware, there has been no serious study of the working of the large interests sections that have been such a marked feature of this relationship since the time of the Carter administration in the late 1970s. This is the more surprising because the American materials for such a study are abundant. For example: the US Interests Section in Havana (USINT) has been the subject of a number of OIG Reports available on the Internet, most recently that of May 2014 (just google ‘OIG USINT’); and numerous US diplomats posted to it (including five chiefs of mission – there is a complete list of them here – and one DCM) have provided revealing accounts of its activities in the course of interviews for ADST’s oral history programme, to which I draw attent ion on the ‘Resources for Study’ page (the easiest way to find the relevant passages is to go to the ‘Cuba Country Reader’ page and then search ‘interests section’, which will also pick out the observations of Department of State officers on the operations of the Cuban Interests Section in Washington). Anyone contemplating a PhD thesis on this subject would ideally need to get at any Cuban, Swiss and Czech materials available as well. Having just read the astonishing account by James Cason, chief of mission at USINT in 2002-2005, of what he was allowed to get up to, I would be particularly interested to know something about the attitude to him of his nominal boss, the Swiss Ambassador at Havana! USINT is certainly a very unusual interests section.

[3 May 2015]

Unionization of diplomats Under the twin pressures of foreign ministry budget cuts and increasing reliance on political appointees and paradiplomats, the unionization of diplomats is becoming a more important question: the form it is taking, the extent of its spread, and its consequences. Let us recall that French diplomats were summoned to a one-day strike in December 2003, and that a similar and more serious development occurred in Israel only last month (March 2015). To arms, researchers!

Video-conferencing: Zoom in In the 5th edition of my textbook, published in 2015, I headed the section on this subject ‘Video-conferencing stutters’. Is that still true? The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic has certainly given it a strong boost, as I noted in a blog on 14 March . Perhaps ‘Video-conferencing flexes its muscles’ would now be more accurate. The technology has advanced (eye contact, I gather, is now obtainable), it has become cheaper, and there is much more familiarity with it; not only in businesses and large organizations but also in families during Covid-19 lockdowns. A sweep of the internet on the subject I made in January 2015 produced little evidence of its constructive use in serious international negotiations, except in Ukraine prenegotiations stimulated by the OSCE in the second half of 2014. But in 2020 it became a key feature of UK-EU Brexit negotiations , and no doubt of others. [June 2020]

Diplomatic training In the course of conversations in 2014 at the Foreign Office in London and in the evening with a former student then working in the consular section of the Belgian Embassy, I learned that there were wider variations in the training arrangements made by foreign ministries for their novice diplomats  than I had suspected. This applies particularly to the length and content of the initial period of training spent at home prior to posting abroad. It occurs to me, therefore, that this is a good subject for comparative analysis. Alternatively, anyone interested only in the British tradition could do worse (he said modestly!) than make a start by looking at the essay on ‘Diplomatic Education and Training: The British tradition’ in my Counter-Revolution in Diplomacy and other essays . Among primary sources important to look at are: the Report of the Committee on Representational Services Overseas. 1962-63 (‘The Plowden Report’), Feb. 1964, Cmnd. 2276 (ch. 5 ‘Training’); and the seven files on the FCO’s ‘Training Department’ now held at The National Archives at Kew, ref. FCO97. (This incorrectly gives the date of establishment of this department as 1974; it appears in the Diplomatic Service List 1970 .) [13 May 2014]

Ambassador Biographies There is no general shortage here, it is true, but some ambassadors deserving of attention and who have also left behind a wealth of archival material have been badly neglected. A case in point recently drawn to my attention by Professor Young at Nottingham is Sir Andrew Buchanan (1807-82). I am assured that any student wishing to write on his career (or part of it) would find a warm welcome at the Manuscripts and Special Collections division of the University of Nottingham Library. Here is a list of the Buchanan Papers held by them and here is the list they provide of Buchanan papers held elsewhere . [14 Dec. 2013]

Consuls – The Other Missing Dimension Consuls have been neglected by scholars in the same way that spies were neglected until Christopher Andrew and David Dilks published The Missing Dimension back in 1984. Someone should contrive a similar kick-start to consular research with a monograph or collection of essays called The Other Missing Dimension . There is huge scope for research here, e.g. different kinds of consular officer, incl. honorary consuls, and (more historical) dragomans; biographies of notable consular officers (e.g. Harry Boyle, Adam Block and Andrew Ryan in the British Levant Service); and studies of the more elite, specialized consular services such as the Levant Service just mentioned. Plenty of consular officers have left papers or (now) oral histories. Ryan’s papers, which contain his own detailed views on the problems of the Levant Service, can be consulted at St Antony’s College Oxford. And important early memoirs are now freely available in the amazing Internet Archive, notably Satow’s A Diplomat in Japan (in the 1860s he was actually still in the consular service as a student interpreter). A good place to start among secondary sources is Platt’s Cinderella Service . [29 January 2015]

Locally engaged staff There has been a pronounced trend in recent years for foreign ministries to increase the proportion of their overseas staff recruited locally. It would be extremely useful to know (a) what the facts are about this and (b) what is the explanation. I have discovered some useful figures on the State Department and FCO websites but a serious study will have to go back some years and go well beyond the resources available on the web. [29 January 2015]

The International Sections of Government Departments The growth, value, and control (or lack of it) exercised over the international sections of ‘OGD’s (Other Government Departments) by foreign ministries. I am grateful to Mark McDowell, a Canadian FSO, for this valuable suggestion. A thesis on this subject might focus on one state, or it might compare the international sections of equivalent ministries in a number of different states, e.g. the international sections of transport ministries. [29 January 2015]

Consensus decision-making This is now the most important form of decision-making in multilateral bodies but, as far as I am aware, not a great deal of research has been done on the various procedural devices that are its hallmarks – straw votes, silence procedure, and so on, which I have discussed briefly on the Online Updating page for Chapter 9 of my textbook. An MA dissertation might look at the style and effectiveness of consensus decision-making in one body (e.g. ‘Silence Procedure in NATO’), while a PhD thesis might engage in a comparative study of several multilateral bodies.

Telephone diplomacy There is hardly anything on this at all, although it is clearly of great importance. The internet is a valuable source here, not least because transcripts of some of Kissinger’s calls can be found on it. It would be very interesting to discover, for example, what kind of training – if any – is given on the use of the telephone in different MFAs. Try asking them. There is also an increasing amount of relevant material in more recently released confidential government papers. As long ago as 2007 I searched ‘telephone’ and ‘Foreign Office’ in the online catalogue of the British National Archives, and brought up 359 files! Obviously most were not relevant but some looked very interesting indeed, and their number must have multiplied since. [29 January 2015]

Legal advisers Role and influence of in MFAs. The last book on this appears to have been written in 1962. Hans Corell, formerly the UN’s own legal adviser – there’s another topic – has a good reading list on this subject (tho’ not updated since his retirement in 2004), so there’s a start. [29 January 2015]

Planning departments in MFAs Opinion on the value of these has always been divided, not least because – as far as I am aware – there is no systematic published research on them. A recent Dutch report has emphasised their importance. [29 January 2015]

Comparative study of Commercial Diplomacy Should embassies be used to promote trade and inward investment or should it be left to the private sector? This is a public policy question of considerable importance, and leads to many others. Some diplomatic services give more weight to this than others. Which are they? Does it work?

Interests Sections . An old favourite of mine. John W. Young at Nottingham has recently done some work on this but he would be the first to admit that there is plenty more to be done: features, extent of use, advantages and disadvantages, and their origins – much earlier than I once thought. Their use in the First World War would be a good topic. American embassies seem to have housed quite a few (certainly the US Emb. in Turkey did), and FRUS  would be a good place to start. Key words: ‘protecting powers’ as well as ‘interests sections’.

Prenegotiations In view of the importance of this subject it is amazing that it has been so overlooked. As far as I am aware, there is not a full-length monograph on it. A useful approach for a thesis would be to compare the pre-negotiations in a number of negotiations of different kinds, e.g. between friendly and hostile states; on low and high stakes issues; bilateral and multilateral; and so on. An MA dissertation might focus on just one pair.

Summitry More detailed case studies are always needed. Plenty of scope for comparative studies here as well. Recent ‘funeral summits’ well worth a close look are those of Nelson Mandela and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (the last also attended by the Iranian foreign minister) .[29 January 2015]

Vienna Conference [not Convention] on Diplomatic Relations, 2 March-14 April 1961 We await a history of the conference that produced this enormously important convention, the legal bedrock of the world diplomatic system. Many official documents on this have been available for years. Lorna Loyd’s  Diplomacy with a Difference , has something on this and would be a good place to start, both for its insights and its references. [29 January 2015]

Switzerland and the world diplomatic system General theme: if Switerland did not exist would it have to be invented? Particular themes worth exploring: Switzerland’s role as a protecting power; Geneva as a diplomatic centre; Switzerland as provider of good offices rather than mediation; International Committee of the Red Cross (though quite a bit on this already, notably Caroline Moorhead’s Dunant’s Dream (1998); and bearing on all of this of permanent neutrality; etc.

Vatican diplomacy The account of this subject needs carrying forward from the end of the 1950s, when Robert Graham published his Vatican Diplomacy . More on the role of the Vatican in international mediation would be particularly helpful. I tried teaching this on my Mediation module but had to abandon it after a few years for want of decent books and articles to which to refer my students. There are a couple of articles on the Vatican role in the mediation of the Beagle Channel dispute between Argentina and Chile, but that appeared to be it. However, the subject has recently been revived by news that the Vatican played a key role in setting up the probable restoration of diplomatic relations between the United State and Cuba; see Guardian, 17 December 2014 . [29 January 2015]

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Ardaiolo, M. (2014, March 6). We’ve Upgraded to Public Diplomacy 2.1, But Does it Matter? CPD Blog.  

Bastianello, F.R. (2014, February 20). Towards a New Era of Public Diplomacy: Twiplomacy. Diplomatic Courier .

Berthold, A. (2010, June 1). New Technology and New Public Diplomacy. PD Magazine .

Burson-Marsteller. (2012, August 2). Is 'Twiplomacy' Replacing Traditional Diplomacy?   TMCnet .

Bytheway, B., Burkhart, R. and Lacy, A. (2013, August 15) Twitter and #governments. Diplomatic Courier.  

Dupont, S. (2010, August 3). Digital Diplomacy.  Foreign Policy.

Fisher, A. (2012, September 13). Everybody’s Getting Hooked Up; Building Innovative Strategies in the Era of Big Data. PD Magazine .   

Fung, B. (2012, October 17). Digital Diplomacy: Why It's So Tough for Embassies to Get Social Media Right. The Atlantic.

Funk, J. Q. (2013, April 26). The Power of ‘Friending’: How Social Media is Impacting International Relations in the Twenty-first Century. Julianne Funk.

Hanson, F. (2011, May 24). E-diplomacy in Action: Interview with the UK's Head of Digital Diplomacy. Lowy Interpreter.  

Hanson, F. (2012, October 26). eDiplomacy: How the State Department Uses Social Media. Brookings Institute .

Hanson, F. (2012, October 29). Ediplomacy: The Revolution Continues. Lowy Interpreter .

Hanson, F. (2012, October 31). DFAT Should Embrace the Digital Age. Lowy Interpreter.

Hanson, F. (2013, June 5). U.S. Embassy Pakistan: First to Pass One Million Fans on Facebook. The Brookings Institution .

Horton, T. (2011, July 20).  New Technology and New Public Diplomacy. PD Magazine .

Hughes, S. (2013, May 24). Digital Diplomacy: Here to Stay and Worth the Risk? BBC .

Kerry, J. (2013, May 6). Digital Diplomacy: Adapting Our Diplomatic Engagement. DipNote .

Kraus, E. (2013, August 1). Diplomacy in a Digitally Infused World. Diplomatic Courier .  

Lacy, A. (2013, September 5). Real-Time World, Real-Time Diplomacy: Government Relations in a Digital World. Diplomatic Courier.

Lacy, A., Bytheway, B. and Burkhart, R. (2013, June 18). The Future of Diplomacy at the Digital Diplomacy Forum. Diplomatic Courier.                 

Lander, M. (2014, February 4). In the Scripted World of Diplomacy, a Burst of Tweets. The New York Times .

Leach, J. (2013, July 19). Digital Diplomacy: Facing a Future Without Borders. Independent Voices .

Levinson, P. (2012, September 13). Everyone is a Diplomat in the Digital Age. PD Magazine.  

Mainwaring, S. (2011, June 22). Social Media & Business: Creating New Pathways in Diplomacy. PD Magazine .  

Lichtenstein, J. (2010, July 16). Digital Diplomacy. The New York Times Magazine.

Lüfkens, M. (2012, October 17). The Digital Diplomat: Connected and on Twitter. Canadian International Council Canada’s Hub for International Affairs.

Maurer, T. (2013, June). Social Media and International Affairs: An Opportunity and Risk for Democracy. International Affairs Forum, 4(1), 95-97.

Manfredi, J.L. (2014, April 2). Hacking Diplomacy. CPD Blog.

Manor, I. (2014, May 11). Imagining Digital Diplomacy as Social Networks. Exploring Digital Diplomacy .

Manor, I. (2014, April 22). The Medium is Not the Message in Digital Diplomacy. Exploring Digital Diplomacy.  

Manor, I. (2014, May 11). The Social Network of Foreign Ministries. Exploring Digital Diplomacy.

McCluskey, M. (2014, January 28). Social Media Helps Diplomats Engage — Online and Off. The Washington Diplomat .

Morozov, E. (2009, June 9). The Future of “Public Diplomacy 2.0.” Foreign Policy .

Paris, R. (2013, June 19). The Digital Diplomacy Revolution. Canadian International Council – Canada's Hub for International Affairs .

Rucker P.  (2013, September 19). Obama’s Officials to Revamp Digital Diplomacy at State Department. The Washington Post.

Sandre, A. (2013, November 11). 'Fast Diplomacy': The Future of Foreign Policy? The World Post .

Sandre, A. (2014, January 15). Diplomacy 3.0 Starts in Stockholm. The Huffington Post.

Seib, P. (2012, October 17). Twiplomacy: Worth Praising, but with Caution. Canadian International Council – Canada's Hub for International Affairs.

Sotiriu, S. E. (2013). Alec Ross v. Evgeny Morozov: Pro/con Arguments with Respect to Digital Diplomacy. academia.edu

U.S. Department of State. (n.d.) The “Internet Moment” in Foreign Policy. 21st Century Statecraft.  

Wallin, M. (2013, November 17). Digital Diplomacy: What Are We Trying to Achieve? American Security Project.

Wallin, M. (2013, April 2). Trace Effects: The State Department's English-Teaching Video Game. American Security Project.

Zeitzoff, T. (2014, March 11). Does Social Media Influence Conflict? Evidence from the 2012 Gaza Conflict. Thomas Zeitzoff .

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Amna Khalid says institutions need to rethink DEI initiatives.

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Pushing back on DEI ‘orthodoxy’

Panelists support diversity efforts but worry that current model is too narrow, denying institutions the benefit of other voices, ideas

Nikki Rojas

Harvard Staff Writer

It’s time to take a harder look at the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in higher education.

That was the overall theme of a searing panel discussion at Smith Campus Center on Thursday. Titled “Academic Freedom, DEI, & the Future of Higher Education,” the event featured scholars specializing in law, history, politics, and diversity.

“The power of diversity for learning is irreplaceable,” said panelist Amna Khalid, associate professor of history at Carleton College in Minnesota. “It is incredible, and it is a value that I strongly believe in as someone who is the product of various educational systems.”

However, Khalid shared that she often finds herself at odds with the approach DEI practitioners take in higher education — an approach she termed “DEI Inc.”

Khalid wrote an opinion piece with Carlton colleague Jeffrey Aaron Snyder last year for the Chronicle of Higher Education. The essay, titled “ Yes, DEI Can Erode Academic Freedom. Let’s Not Pretend Otherwise ,” argues that under the logic of the prevailing DEI model, “Education is a product, students are consumers, and campus diversity is a customer-service issue that needs to be administered from the top down.”

All too often, Khalid said at the event, practitioners implement a “model underscored by a notion of harm and that students somehow need to be protected from harm.”

Jeannie Suk Gersen, John H. Watson, Jr. Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, agreed with that assessment and said that people who object to DEI do not often equate it to the idea of diversity.

“It’s, in fact, a set of ideas that have become very narrowed to one specific orthodoxy about what diversity means, what equity and inclusion mean, so that it shuts out a whole bunch of other ideas about what diversity, equity, and inclusion may be,” Suk Gersen said.

The lone voice to advocate for a professionalized and accountable DEI workforce was Stacy Hawkins, a Rutgers University law professor and scholar of DEI.

“Perhaps it’s simply just the introduction of diversity into our institutions that’s going to create discomfort — that’s going to make it harder to have the same conversations, to do the same things, to say and behave in the same ways that we used to,” said Hawkins, who underscored the challenge of welcoming diverse students without diverse faculty. “But that doesn’t mean that it’s not a worthwhile exercise to try.”

Panelists also fielded questions on academic freedom and free speech, and whether DEI infringes on those rights.

DEI is “almost always wrong in the sense that it subverts classical liberal principles of the academic mission of open inquiry, truth seeking, knowledge creation, research, and debating ideas,” responded panelist Ilya Shapiro, senior fellow and director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute.

He went on to quote Hanna Holborn Gray, former president of the University of Chicago, who once said: “Education should not be intended to make people comfortable; it is meant to make them think.”

Shapiro proved the only panelist to argue for the total elimination of university DEI offices without replacing them with other structures designed to achieve diversity goals. Instead, he said that student affairs, compliance officers, and admissions should assume any responsibilities related to diversity.

Last week’s discussion was sponsored by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ Civil Discourse Initiative , the Harvard College Intellectual Vitality Initiative , and the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics .

Also discussed were social media and the distorted views it surfaces on DEI.

Hawkins noted that DEI takes a real beating on the platforms, all while cancel culture is the true driver behind most modern outrage. “There is this heightened sense of awareness,” she said. “There’s this heightened sense of accountability. There is this heightened sense of threat. And this heightened sense of punitive action, all surrounding a larger cultural phenomenon that has nothing to do with diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

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Ethical Leadership in Diplomacy Essay

Overview of the topic, ethical leadership in diplomacy.

Ethical leadership is an important aspect of human action and interaction within social contexts. Ethical leadership entails deliberate efforts that seek to propagate and sustain appropriate leadership undertakings through relevant reactions to challenges and circumstances. Numerous complexities characterize ethical leadership. It is difficult to define the essence and rationale for ethical leadership. Ethical leaders must exhibit morality and propriety in their daily undertakings. In the absence of ethical considerations, such leaders cannot assert authority over their subjects. Ethical leaders should also embody attributes that epitomize the inherent characteristics of leadership. In the traditional sense, leadership acts as a beacon of hope and guidance. This makes leadership a noble undertaking that should endeavor to create avenues to ensure and guarantee propriety in individual and collective mandates.

Diplomacy is a pertinent area of concern that offers immense support to structural frameworks about societal ideals and aspirations. Diplomacy complements harmonious coexistence and operation in contemporary society. Through diplomacy, society achieves its mandate as a unifying factor in all human interaction efforts. Therefore, it is important to review and understand the role of ethical leadership in enhancing operations within the realms of diplomacy. Diplomacy facilitates the amicable resolution of conflicts and situations that arise in various areas of engagement in society. During such situations, there is a need for appropriate leadership tactics to sustain and guarantee effective resolution of conflicts. Such leadership should foster dignity and the ability to inspire all parties involved in a particular situation.

Devoid of such attributes, leaders find it difficult to intervene and offer viable solutions during times of conflict. Ethical leadership in diplomacy creates avenues through which people evaluate options and chances for conflict resolution. Ethical leadership should incorporate integrity and willingness to devise solutions whenever conflict arises in various ranks within society. As earlier mentioned, diplomacy is an integral component of the realization and actualization of societal aspirations. This reality necessitates probity and outright effort to demystify diplomacy and other supporting areas of engagement. Diplomats should have a clear picture of their role in ensuring justice and fairness in society. This is only achievable by incorporating important aspects of ethical leadership. It is also important for diplomats to appreciate their role as mediators and links during times of unrest and upheaval.

This accords them an opportunity to relay views and functions devoid of interruption and sabotage. Ethical leadership seeks to devise viable solutions to challenges that face society at any given moment. It guarantees the realization of harmony and serenity during turbulent periods that often characterize human action and interaction in society. On the other hand, diplomacy seeks to propagate similar ideals and objectives. Therefore, diplomats and enthusiasts should always strive to fuse all positive attributes to develop a regime that appreciates and promotes cooperation between players in diplomacy and ethical leadership. Both areas have an immense influence on society as individuals struggle to foster harmony and peace in social contexts.

Diplomacy and ethical leadership are complementary areas of engagement because they seek and promote fairness and equality in society. Through involvement in the above areas, individuals strive to implement ideas that support the desire for change in society. Therefore, it is important to have collaborative efforts that guarantee the sustenance of proactive undertakings in society. Actors in diplomacy should embrace aspects of ethical leadership to enhance their ability to realize and consolidate progress in various areas of concern.

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Should college essays touch on race? Some feel the affirmative action ruling leaves them no choice

CHICAGO — When she started writing her college essay, Hillary Amofa told the story she thought admissions offices wanted to hear. About being the daughter of immigrants from Ghana and growing up in a small apartment in Chicago. About hardship and struggle.

Then she deleted it all.

“I would just find myself kind of trauma-dumping,” said the 18-year-old senior at Lincoln Park High School in Chicago. “And I’m just like, this doesn’t really say anything about me as a person.”

When the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in higher education, it left the college essay as one of few places where race can play a role in admissions decisions. For many students of color, instantly more was riding on the already high-stakes writing assignment. Some say they felt pressure to exploit their hardships as they competed for a spot on campus.

Amofa was just starting to think about her essay when the court issued its decision, and it left her with a wave of questions. Could she still write about her race? Could she be penalized for it? She wanted to tell colleges about her heritage but she didn’t want to be defined by it.

In English class, Amofa and her classmates read sample essays that all seemed to focus on some trauma or hardship. It left her with the impression she had to write about her life’s hardest moments to show how far she’d come. But she and some of her classmates wondered if their lives had been hard enough to catch the attention of admissions offices.

“For a lot of students, there’s a feeling of, like, having to go through something so horrible to feel worthy of going to school, which is kind of sad,” said Amofa, the daughter of a hospital technician and an Uber driver.

This year’s senior class is the first in decades to navigate college admissions without affirmative action . The Supreme Court upheld the practice in decisions going back to the 1970s, but this court’s conservative supermajority found it is unconstitutional for colleges to give students extra weight because of their race alone.

Still, the decision left room for race to play an indirect role: Chief Justice John Roberts wrote universities can still consider how an applicant’s life was shaped by their race, “so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability.”

“A benefit to a student who overcame racial discrimination, for example, must be tied to that student’s courage and determination,” he wrote.

Scores of colleges responded with new essay prompts asking about students’ backgrounds. Brown University asked applicants how “an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you.” Rice University asked students how their perspectives were shaped by their “background, experiences, upbringing, and/or racial identity.”

WONDERING IF SCHOOLS 'EXPECT A SOB STORY'

When Darrian Merritt started writing his essay, he knew the stakes were higher than ever because of the court’s decision. His first instinct was to write about events that led to him going to live with his grandmother as a child.

Those were painful memories, but he thought they might play well at schools like Yale, Stanford and Vanderbilt.

“I feel like the admissions committee might expect a sob story or a tragic story,” said Merritt, a senior in Cleveland. “And if you don’t provide that, then maybe they’re not going to feel like you went through enough to deserve having a spot at the university. I wrestled with that a lot.”

He wrote drafts focusing on his childhood, but it never amounted to more than a collection of memories. Eventually he abandoned the idea and aimed for an essay that would stand out for its positivity.

Merritt wrote about a summer camp where he started to feel more comfortable in his own skin. He described embracing his personality and defying his tendency to please others. The essay had humor — it centered on a water gun fight where he had victory in sight but, in a comedic twist, slipped and fell. But the essay also reflects on his feelings of not being “Black enough” and getting made fun of for listening to “white people music.”

“I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to write this for me, and we’re just going to see how it goes,’” he said. “It just felt real, and it felt like an honest story.”

The essay describes a breakthrough as he learned “to take ownership of myself and my future by sharing my true personality with the people I encounter. ... I realized that the first chapter of my own story had just been written.”

A RULING PROMPTS PIVOTS ON ESSAY TOPICS

Like many students, Max Decker of Portland, Oregon, had drafted a college essay on one topic, only to change direction after the Supreme Court ruling in June.

Decker initially wrote about his love for video games. In a childhood surrounded by constant change, navigating his parents’ divorce, the games he took from place to place on his Nintendo DS were a source of comfort.

But the essay he submitted to colleges focused on the community he found through Word is Bond, a leadership group for young Black men in Portland.

As the only biracial, Jewish kid with divorced parents in a predominantly white, Christian community, Decker wrote he constantly felt like the odd one out. On a trip with Word is Bond to Capitol Hill, he and friends who looked just like him shook hands with lawmakers. The experience, he wrote, changed how he saw himself.

“It’s because I’m different that I provide something precious to the world, not the other way around,” he wrote.

As a first-generation college student, Decker thought about the subtle ways his peers seemed to know more about navigating the admissions process . They made sure to get into advanced classes at the start of high school, and they knew how to secure glowing letters of recommendation.

If writing about race would give him a slight edge and show admissions officers a fuller picture of his achievements, he wanted to take that small advantage.

His first memory about race, Decker said, was when he went to get a haircut in elementary school and the barber made rude comments about his curly hair. Until recently, the insecurity that moment created led him to keep his hair buzzed short.

Through Word is Bond, Decker said he found a space to explore his identity as a Black man. It was one of the first times he was surrounded by Black peers and saw Black role models. It filled him with a sense of pride in his identity. No more buzzcut.

The pressure to write about race involved a tradeoff with other important things in his life, Decker said. That included his passion for journalism, like the piece he wrote on efforts to revive a once-thriving Black neighborhood in Portland. In the end, he squeezed in 100 characters about his journalism under the application’s activities section.

“My final essay, it felt true to myself. But the difference between that and my other essay was the fact that it wasn’t the truth that I necessarily wanted to share,” said Decker, whose top college choice is Tulane, in New Orleans, because of the region’s diversity. “It felt like I just had to limit the truth I was sharing to what I feel like the world is expecting of me.”

SPELLING OUT THE IMPACT OF RACE

Before the Supreme Court ruling, it seemed a given to Imani Laird that colleges would consider the ways that race had touched her life. But now, she felt like she had to spell it out.

As she started her essay, she reflected on how she had faced bias or felt overlooked as a Black student in predominantly white spaces.

There was the year in math class when the teacher kept calling her by the name of another Black student. There were the comments that she’d have an easier time getting into college because she was Black .

“I didn’t have it easier because of my race,” said Laird, a senior at Newton South High School in the Boston suburbs who was accepted at Wellesley and Howard University, and is waiting to hear from several Ivy League colleges. “I had stuff I had to overcome.”

In her final essays, she wrote about her grandfather, who served in the military but was denied access to GI Bill benefits because of his race.

She described how discrimination fueled her ambition to excel and pursue a career in public policy.

“So, I never settled for mediocrity,” she wrote. “Regardless of the subject, my goal in class was not just to participate but to excel. Beyond academics, I wanted to excel while remembering what started this motivation in the first place.”

WILL SCHOOLS LOSE RACIAL DIVERSITY?

Amofa used to think affirmative action was only a factor at schools like Harvard and Yale. After the court’s ruling, she was surprised to find that race was taken into account even at some public universities she was applying to.

Now, without affirmative action, she wondered if mostly white schools will become even whiter.

It’s been on her mind as she chooses between Indiana University and the University of Dayton, both of which have relatively few Black students. When she was one of the only Black students in her grade school, she could fall back on her family and Ghanaian friends at church. At college, she worries about loneliness.

“That’s what I’m nervous about,” she said. “Going and just feeling so isolated, even though I’m constantly around people.”

The first drafts of her essay focused on growing up in a low-income family, sharing a bedroom with her brother and grandmother. But it didn’t tell colleges about who she is now, she said.

Her final essay tells how she came to embrace her natural hair . She wrote about going to a mostly white grade school where classmates made jokes about her afro. When her grandmother sent her back with braids or cornrows, they made fun of those too.

Over time, she ignored their insults and found beauty in the styles worn by women in her life. She now runs a business doing braids and other hairstyles in her neighborhood.

“I stopped seeing myself through the lens of the European traditional beauty standards and started seeing myself through the lens that I created,” Amofa wrote.

“Criticism will persist, but it loses its power when you know there’s a crown on your head!”

Ma reported from Portland, Oregon.

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