Introduction
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Jennifer Mori
Abstract
This chapter seeks to strip the craft of the image of diplomacy as a ‘glamorous’ profession. The principal source base for this study is the private correspondence of c.50 diplomats and their families drawn from all ethnic groups in the British Isles. Postmodern approaches to history that inform other branches of the discipline are often greeted with a defensive hostility in international history. This study seeks rather to foster it, not through the rigorous application of theory to the interpretation of the past, but by the selective and sympathetic use of its concepts to elucidate aspects of human life and experience. This leads to the methodology employed namely the selective elucidation of diplomatic practice over time. The chapter also discusses cultural diplomacy before nongovernmental international organizations as a branch of international relations that can be defined in several ways.
Abstract
This chapter seeks to strip the craft of the image of diplomacy as a ‘glamorous’ profession. The principal source base for this study is the private correspondence of c.50 diplomats and their families drawn from all ethnic groups in the British Isles. Postmodern approaches to history that inform other branches of the discipline are often greeted with a defensive hostility in international history. This study seeks rather to foster it, not through the rigorous application of theory to the interpretation of the past, but by the selective and sympathetic use of its concepts to elucidate aspects of human life and experience. This leads to the methodology employed namely the selective elucidation of diplomatic practice over time. The chapter also discusses cultural diplomacy before nongovernmental international organizations as a branch of international relations that can be defined in several ways.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Preface vii
- Abbreviations viii
- Introduction 1
- Part I: The structure of a service 17
- 1 Why diplomacy? 21
- 2 Entrance, training and promotion 41
- 3 Family, sex and marriage 62
- Part II: Of cabbages and kings 87
- 4 Etiquette and ‘face’ 91
- 5 Favourites and flunkeys 106
- 6 Gossips, networks and news 124
- Part III: Beyond the call of duty 149
- 7 The Grand Tour 151
- 8 From ancients to moderns 167
- 9 War, ethnography and religion 188
- Conclusion 211
- Appendix A Male diplomats, 1750–1830 219
- Appendix B Female diplomats, 1750–1830 227
- Select primary source bibliography 232
- Index 239
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Preface vii
- Abbreviations viii
- Introduction 1
- Part I: The structure of a service 17
- 1 Why diplomacy? 21
- 2 Entrance, training and promotion 41
- 3 Family, sex and marriage 62
- Part II: Of cabbages and kings 87
- 4 Etiquette and ‘face’ 91
- 5 Favourites and flunkeys 106
- 6 Gossips, networks and news 124
- Part III: Beyond the call of duty 149
- 7 The Grand Tour 151
- 8 From ancients to moderns 167
- 9 War, ethnography and religion 188
- Conclusion 211
- Appendix A Male diplomats, 1750–1830 219
- Appendix B Female diplomats, 1750–1830 227
- Select primary source bibliography 232
- Index 239
