ABSTRACT

In the twentieth century, increased popular participation in national politics had serious ramifications for the way international diplomacy came to be perceived in the realm of national politics. International diplomacy became increasingly an extension of national politics, corresponding with the increased emphasis on popular accountability of national politics. Hence, national leaders were ushered onto the centre stage as world statesmen – and they mostly were men – in this new age. Such a fundamental shift in the modus operandi of international diplomacy bore with it an introduction of new agencies, namely the media and the people, both wielding considerable influence as the twentieth century wore on.