ABSTRACT
Diplomacy in the traditional pluralist international society has been heavily regulated. It was an institution the practices of which were confined to states, and included rules such as the extraterritoriality of embassies to the dress code and behavior at receptions. Technological changes in the nature of diplomacy as an institution of international society are linked to the process of solidarization in several ways. In short, then, in whatever imperfect and contested ways, international society has moved toward a solidarist understanding, implying a transformation toward greater responsibilities toward individuals beyond a state’s own territory, the increasing relevance of non-state actors, and a change in diplomatic practices. War is interesting because the Holy See has no standing army with which it could intervene to restore order in international society, which is the main function of war as an institution of international society.
