Essence of Diplomacy explores the essential, timeless features of diplomacy, drawing on the historical record of over three millennia. In their effort at making international relations (IR) theory relevant to diplomacy, and diplomacy relevant to IR theory, the authors identify three essential dimensions of diplomacy: communication, representation and the reproduction of international society.

Introduction PART 1: THE STUDY OF DIPLOMACY Extant Studies Why is Diplomacy Marginalized in International Relations? The Turn to History and the Return of Diplomacy PART 2: ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK Diplomacy as an Institution Toward a Historical Sociology of Diplomacy Mediating Universalism and Particularism Building Blocks of Theory PART 3: INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND RITUALIZATION Institutionalization Ritualization Shared Symbols and Preferences: Diplomatic Protocol Reciprocity, Precedence and Diplomatic Immunity Diplomatic Ranks PART 4: COMMUNICATION Language Gathering Information Transmitting Information: Diplomatic Signaling Negotiation Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Public and Private Communication Technological Development Concluding Remarks PART 5: DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION Behaviour: Acting for Others Status: Standing for Others Concluding Remarks PART 6: THE REPRODUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY Reproduction of Pre-Modern International Societies Reproduction of the Modern Society of States Concluding Remarks PART 7: DIPLOMACY AND CHANGING POLITIES Philip, Alexander and the Greek Community Religious vs. Secular Polities in the Middle Ages The European Union Concluding Remarks Conclusions

CHRISTER JÖNSSON is Professor of Political Science at Lund University, Sweden. He has been Visiting Professor at Kyung Hee University, Seoul, and Stanford University. His primary research interests are international negotiation, diplomacy and international cooperation. His publications include Communication in International Bargaining (1990) International Cooperation in Response to AIDS (co-author, 1995) and Diplomacy (co-editor with Richard Langhorne, 2004).

MARTIN HALL is a Researcher at Lund University. His main research interests lie in the intersection of International Relations theory and historical sociology. He has published several articles and is currently working on a book project entitled The West: An Essentially Contested Concept.