Twentieth-Century Diplomacy: A Case Study of British Practice, 1963-1976

Description

In contrast to most works of international history, which dwell on particular relationships, strategies, wars or crises, the questions in this book are about how diplomacy was actually conducted. The period 1963-76 saw significant changes in diplomatic practice globally. It was particularly a time of change for Britain as the country negotiated its declining world power and joined the European Community and economic problems forced spending cuts. Looking at the reform of the British Diplomatic Service and Foreign Office as well as the role of ambassadors, the use of 'special' envoys, summits and state visits, John Young sheds light on how diplomacy was organised in order to put into effect the country's foreign policy and on how diplomatic practice changed over time to make it more effective. Drawing comparisons with other countries, especially the United States, this study focuses on the means of diplomacy rather than the ends.

Review of the hardback: '... this is a lucid, thoughtful and thorough survey of British diplomatic practice, which successfully achieves its goal of opening up areas for broader debate.' Nigel J. Ashton, London School of Economics and Political Science Review of the hardback: 'John Young has a valuable contribution to make in looking more closely at the principles and machinery of diplomacy and how they have changed in the modern world (or not changed, as he shows with apt quotations from Confucius, Shakespeare, Richelieu, and others) ... This is a very useful book for anyone seeking a close focus on a period of British diplomacy or trawling for examples from which to draw general conclusions on the practices and principles of diplomacy.' Journal of Cold War Studies 'John W. Young has provided a skilled exploration of the ways in which diplomacy was actually conducted ... Mr Young's original, engaging and authoritative study succeeds in the important goal of bringing diplomatic practice more to the foreground of relations between states.' Contemporary Review