War, terrorism, conflict resolution and diplomacy

International Relations · Security, conflict and diplomacy. The idea in plain words, the rules to remember, the mistake to avoid and a worked example, written and checked by Mega Lecture.

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The idea

States and armed groups use force for many reasons: security fears, territory, resources, ideology and nationalism. Wars are classified by who fights and how far they go. An inter-state war is between states, a civil war is inside one state, and a proxy war is fought by local sides that outside powers arm and finance. Terrorism is violence with a political aim, meant to spread fear beyond its immediate victims.

Disputes can also be settled peacefully. The methods form a ladder. In the lower steps the parties keep the decision in their own hands. In arbitration and judicial settlement they accept a binding ruling.

Diplomacy is the management of relations between states by negotiation. Its modern rules are in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961.

Rules to remember

Article 33 of the UN Charter (in Chapter VI, pacific settlement) lists negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and judicial settlement.
Good offices: a third party only helps the sides to talk. Mediation: the third party also proposes terms, which are not binding.
Arbitration: the parties choose the arbitrators and agree in advance to accept the award, so it is binding.
Limited war: aims and means are restricted. Total war: the whole resources of society are used.
Functions of a mission (Vienna Convention 1961): representing the sending state, protecting its interests and nationals, negotiating, reporting on conditions, promoting friendly relations.
Classes of heads of mission: ambassadors (highest), then envoys and ministers, then chargés d'affaires. Agrément = advance approval of the receiving state.
Mission premises are inviolable (entry only with the head of mission's consent). A diplomat can be declared persona non grata. Consular relations come under a separate Vienna Convention of 1963.

Common mistake

Students mix up mediation and arbitration. A mediator suggests terms that the parties may refuse; an arbitrator gives an award that the parties have agreed beforehand to obey.

Worked example

Two states ask a neutral statesman to help with a border dispute. He meets both sides, drafts a compromise and puts it to them, but either side is free to reject it. Which method of settlement is this?

He does more than carry messages, since he puts forward his own terms. So it is not good offices.
The parties are free to reject his proposal, so the outcome is not binding. That rules out arbitration and judicial settlement.
A third party who proposes non-binding terms is a mediator.

Answer: Mediation.

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