The presentation focuses on International relations’ theories (in historical perspective); methods of analyses, foreign policy and diplomacy. Specifically historical empires and the emergence of the first diplomatic practices will be examined; ancient Greece and Rome international systems, Greek and Roman diplomacy are compared, Byzantine diplomacy and the origins of modern diplomacy (Italian republics) will be covered. Further – the Westphalian system, Napoleon and Bismarck and their foreign policies and diplomacies will be presented. The last part of the presentation will analyses the theories and practices of the 20-21st centuries in diplomacy and international relations.

1. History of Diplomacy and IR
Tiiu Pohl, 2019
Historical negotiations

2. History of International Relations (IR):
Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis. (The
times change and we change with them.)
—Lothair I (795–855)
“Life is lived forward but written backwards”
- Søren Kierkegaard (1813-55)

3. History of International Relations (IR):
Approaches to be used below:
• Phenomenological
• Interpretivist
• Hermeneutical
• Critical

4. History of International Relations (IR):
Some principles for the presentation
• Value-fact distinction is important ["what is" (fact)
and "what ought to be" (value) - internet]
• Value neutrality is impossible
• Facts cannot be derived from values and vice versa
(Levy and Lawrence in “Theory and Evidence”, 2007)

5. History of International Relations
W.Shakespeare: world is a play ....
O.Wilde: badly played
M.Albright: wrong play

6. History of IR: Theories
East
• Mencius (371-288 BC) – highly regarded rulers,
however – might be killed if against people
India
• Kautylia (321-296 BC) – REALIST, “discovered”
early 20th century
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaioNYCAEgU (2013, ca 20 min) OR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSOm2qX7nxE (18 min)

7. History of IR: Theories
• Kautilya (“enemies” and “allies”) – chapter/book X – see also a more complicated
scheme on page 557 (original text)
Ruler neighbor
Neighbor’s neighbor (ally – enemy)

8. History of IR: Theories
• " The Conqueror shall think of the circle of states as a wheel – himself at the hub and his
allies, drawn to him by the spokes though separated by intervening territory, as its rim"
Ruler
Neighbor
Neigbor’s neigbor (ally – enemy)

9. History of Diplomacy
IR and Ancient East
Example of the first written Peace Treaty
Ramses II and Hittite Hattusili III
Negotiations
Treaty (introduction, text, witnesses – gods)

10. History of IR and Diplomacy
For further information about the slides, please contact
tiiupohl@gmail.com