Seton Hall Magazine, Winter 2000 - Seton Hall University

The ancient and noble profession
of diplomacy can be traced far back
to early civilizations. Thousands
of years ago, a ruler’s most trusted emissaries
would travel for months at a time,
often at the risk of grave danger, to
deliver a critical message.
As civilization evolved, so did the art
of diplomacy. Throughout the centuries,
diplomats have greatly benefited from
the many scientific advances and discoveries
that have enabled them to
carry out their missions more efficiently
and effectively.
In the past 10 years alone, we have
witnessed a remarkable evolution in
the world of diplomacy. The explosive
growth in communications and the
unimaginable advances in information
technology have greatly accelerated the
diplomatic process, helping break down
barriers and transforming the art of
diplomacy into a never-ending diplomatic
superhighway. Where it used to
take weeks if not months to facilitate
an exchange of ideas among world
leaders in a secure and confidential
environment, this can now be accomplished
in a few seconds.
Moreover, these remarkable developments
are driving the revolutionary
expansion of the world of diplomacy.
What was traditionally and substantially
confined to geostrategic issues
affecting the borders of two nations
is now extended to include trade and
economic development. Conventional
bilateral diplomacy now runs parallel
with a more sophisticated and complicated
multilateral or regional diplomacy and
is often subordinated to it. Issues never
before considered to be the domain of
diplomacy, like global warming, pollution,
human rights and the use of outer
space, are now world priorities in the
post-Cold War era.
Also remarkable is the rise in influence
of new entities in the diplomatic
arena. These include the United
Nations, the European Union, and other
A Diplomat’s View of the World
BY CLAY CONSTANTINOU, J.D. ’81, LL.M.
global- and regional-level intergovernmental
and nongovernmental actors,
such as Amnesty International and the
Red Cross/Red Crescent. This trend will
undoubtedly continue in the 21st century,
with more and more intergovernmental
and nongovernmental actors playing
critical roles in diplomacy.
In the business sector, more and more
entities are becoming participants in the
diplomatic process. Remarkably, many
governments are openly encouraging
them to serve as catalysts to become
engaged in the dialogue to reach multilateral
agreements.
In this world of uncertainty, diplomacy
will continue to be transformed
and to adapt to the issues of the day,
as it always has.
Yet with all the revolutionary changes
one can envision, as well as those that
cannot be envisioned, there are certain
“Issues never before considered to be
the domain of diplomacy, like global
warming, pollution, human rights and
the use of outer space, are now world
priorities in the post-Cold War era.”
D i p l o m a c y
principles that will never change. The
basic virtues of and axioms that are the
foundation of the world of diplomacy,
such as reputation, character and trust,
are likely to continue for the indefinite
future to be of critical importance.
Humankind possesses the capability
for making the world of the 21st century
dramatically better on a global basis than
it presently is.
Needless to say, this will not and cannot
happen overnight. And it will not
happen automatically. It will require the
best thinking and the most committed
action by the world’s people and by
leaders at all levels, from local to global.
The elements of change necessary for
this more positive future can be set forth
in five categories. These involve fostering
economic, social and political development;
environmental responsibility;
respect for human rights in all their
dimensions, whether civil and political
or economic, social and cultural; dedicated
pursuit of stable and just peace;
and the growth of civil society and
of democratization.
The 21st century could find humanity
greatly energized by awareness of the
progress made in achieving advancement
toward desired goals on a global
basis. For example, substantial inroads
could be made toward ending the poverty
that today is known on far too wide a
scale. Likewise, trends toward widening
the range of nations with democratic
political systems and with flourishing
civil societies could be greatly enhanced.
In the diplomat’s view, the 21st
century can be one of remarkable
change for the better. Every effort
must be made to achieve this more
positive future.
Clay Constantinou, J.D. ’81,
LL.M., is dean of the School of
Diplomacy and International
Relations.
WINTER 2000 27