Original scientific paper
FUTURE OF DIPLOMATIC SERVICE
Volker Haak
; D-40625 Duesseldorf, Trudisenstr. 23, Deutschland
Abstract
The author analyses the future prospects of diplomatic service in the era of globalization. In his analysis he draws from the German experience and the book Wem dient der Auswärtige Dienst? The author claims that foreign policy is determined by economic issues so it is pointless to separate the security/political and the economic/political aspects and competences of a government. The same applies to diplomatic corps: they cannot be exempted from economic tasks. Heads of diplomatic offices today have to be partners regarding economic topics when discussing politics and economy of the host country. Concerning the role of nongovernmental organizations, the author thinks that they cannot replace the state and its civil servants. For communicating with them, foreign service needs “generalists” more than “specialists”. The key value of the future foreign service includes an overall review of the bilateral relations with the host country; this envisages that diplomats are to retain their central role in the networking of various actors and areas. Besides the legal/consular, economic, cultural and security/political tasks, diplomatic offices regularly maintain contacts and cooperate with the host country in specialized fields such as defense, science, social issues, and agriculture.
Keywords
future; diplomatic service; state; globalization; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Germany; foreign affairs service
Hrčak ID:
23158
URI
Publication date:
26.1.2004.
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