ABSTRACT
Is the current evolution of the international society reshaping the diplomatic method and, if yes, how should diplomacy adapt to the new circumstances? From a supranational perspective, questions keep arising as to whether diplomats should represent only the interests of their governments or whether they should also consider the impact the representation of these interests may have on the international order. The rising influence of subnational governmental authorities in foreign affairs challenges the four-century supremacy of traditional diplomats of the terms of diplomatic representation. Similar questions could be raised about the tools of diplomatic engagement (how should diplomats use power in their work and to what purpose?) or training practices (what are the desired skills, recruitment patterns and knowledge accumulation objectives for the twenty-first-century diplomat?). In other words, what principles should guide what issues to become subject of diplomatic representation, who is to be recognised as a diplomat, how should diplomats relate to each other and how should they be recruited and trained in order to effectively face these challenges? This chapter will address these questions in three steps. The first section will examine why supranational and subnational challenges are gaining increased diplomatic relevance and what needs to be done to address them. The second section will discuss the main sources of diplomatic influence (hard, soft and smart power), describe their application in practice and discuss their advantages and limitations. The third part will probe how diplomatic training currently takes place and what aspects diplomatic curricula need to take into account in order to prepare diplomats for service in the twenty-first century.
