Diplomats are the oldest form of any of the foreign policy institutions of the state, predating foreign ministries, foreign ministers and ministerial offices by centuries.
The ranks of diplomats— ambassador, envoys, ministers, and chargé d’affaires — are determined by international law, namely the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
Diplomats can be contrasted with consuls, attachés, who represent their state in a number of administrative ways, but who don’t have the diplomat’s political functions.
In general, it has become harder for diplomats to act autonomously. Whereas in the past Thomas Jefferson could write to his Secretary of State, "We have not heard from our Ambassador in Spain for two years. If we do not hear from him this year, let us write him a letter", secure communication systems, emails and mobile telephones can track down and instruct the most reclusive head of mission. The same technology in reverse gives diplomats the capacity for more immediate input about the policy-making processes in the home capital.
Secure email has transformed the contact between diplomats and the ministry. It is less likely to be leaked, and enables more personal contact than the formal cablegram, with its wide distribution and impersonal style.
In this operation, the intelligence, integrity, cultural understanding and energy of individual diplomats are critical. If they are any good at their jobs, they will have developed relationships grounded in trust and mutual understanding with influential members of the country in which they are accredited. They will have worked hard to understand the motives, thought patterns and culture of the other side.
The high regard for diplomats is also due to most countries' conspicuous selection of diplomats, with regard to their professionality and ability to behave according to a certain etiquette, in order to effectively promote their interests. Also, international law grants diplomats extensive privileges and immunities, which further distinguished the diplomat from the status of an ordinary citizen.
Category:Diplomacy Category:Foreign policy Category:Ambassadors
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