Diplomacy: Theory and Practice

by G.R. Berridge

Diplomacy provides an introduction to the origins and different 'modes' of diplomacy within the wider context of international politics and gives special attention to negotiation.
The book is divided into two the modes of diplomacy, including Bilateral and Multilateral diplomacy, Summitry and Mediation; and the Art of Negotiation, including pre-negotiation, 'across-the-table' negotiations, diplomatic momentum and packaging agreements.
Diplomacy provides comprehensive coverage of all the topics relevant to the study of diplomacy. It combines theory with details of how diplomacy and negotiation work in practice, bringing together a wide range of more specialist research to provide an accessible overview of the subject.
Diplomacy is an invaluable text for students, teachers and researchers of international politics.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, International Relations, Academic, Research

Paperback

First published June 7, 2000

Reviews

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this text as a main reference for my International Negotiations class in the College of International Relations, Lyceum of the Philippines during the First Semester 2008-09.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing too special about the brief overview of common practices of diplomacy. Very clearly written and easy to read, but a little too brief for any real use.

[zmija lanca · Rating 2 out of 5]

svaki put kad sam prisiljena citat neku izdrkotinu od 200+ stranica za faks imam pravo oznacit ju tu as a little treat. Anyways mrzim diplomaciju.

[Wijnand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard work on diplomacy by a British professor. Should be obligatory for all (aspiring) diplomats. As such, a comprehensive summary on diplomatic rules and practices. On your guard for quite some open doors in the book. Also, the author uses recurring examples of diplomatic incidents that were truly ‘Chefsache’, or major negotiations such as at Camp David, SALT and GATT, whereas it would be more interesting to read examples from lesser-known diplomatic struggles that diplomats of my modest level have to deal with in their daily work.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great stocktake.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot more could probably be said about this book, and perhaps a lot more deserves to be said. This entry will however be mercifully short.

Most reviews of this book are bad. The complaint charges mainly that the book is dull and its exposition makes points that are obvious. I think this criticism is half right and half wrong.

The book is dull, but partly by design. Though the material is combed in an ordinary manner, and the writing never escapes from the prosaic, still, this is because the book intends to outline the art of diplomacy in a linear fashion. Super-headings are following by sub-headings; assertions are followed by examples. Most everything unfurls in such a way as not to surprise.

Even so, this uninspiring design is matched with an outlay of diplomacy that is uncommon to the subject. To my knowledge, not many have attempted to unpack exactly what are the elements of the prenegotiation phase--e.g., format, venue, delegations, timing, etc. The real counter charge against Berridge is that his analysis isn't full; that he his design is too rigid; that he is guilty of major omissions; or that he has missed other subtleties or quirks of diplomacy.

Whether these charges are right, or not, they in part exonerate him from the claim of being dull, or obvious, since an inquiry of this sort is itself neither.

It should be said that he helpfully adds examples to each portion of his discussion. I credit him for it, but it would have been inappropriate had he not. I would go one step farther however and say that his examples begin to get repetitive since he borrows from the same set of events again and again. And that they lack charm of a good story, which, if had orchestrated it better, could have been affected with a sort of gnomic quality--not dissimilar to that like which appears in Machiavelli, Montaigne, Plutarch, and other great historians recounting anecdotes of old.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought the new edition of this textbook (which isn't on goodreads) published in 2010 for my course (and degree), and I don't regret it at all.

It's well structured, easy to follow and has a list of further reading at the end of each chapter making it very easy to get more information about the specific topic if you're interested. I've been able to find a lot of useful information in this book as well as by going through all the "further reading" when I needed it. As it's already in reference style, it also makes it much easier to add to your reference list. It's written in a simple, easy way making it very clear and understandable. This means anyone can read it, even with little to no knowledge prior about the subject matter, and still be provided with very useful information. It's a great overview of everything in the field.

This is a really useful read so I recommend this textbook to anyone studying politics, diplomacy, international relations or even to whomever is interested in diplomacy in general and how things actually work in that realm of politics.

[Chris Boer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well structured and clearly written book on the wide range of aspects of diplomacy. Good read, very insightful, even for a layman. After reading I realised that I would have enjoyed it even more if the writer would have shared more stories, experience and wisdom in the field of diplomacy..

[Dominic · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic introduction to the art of diplomacy and all the small intricacies that surround it.

[Erlinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

bahsa inggrisnya emang susahnya gak karuan tapi sbenernya bagus bwt belajar diplomasi

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be assigned to diplomacy 101. It was a good book for what it was - a work describing the nuts and bolts of diplomacy with a few anecdotes thrown in. This was a work-related book.

[Nesrin]

Will see

[Sohail · Rating 4 out of 5]

best one auther and book