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Diplomatic Theory

A Focused Comparison Approach

Barry H. Steiner

This book is intended as a primer for generalizing on a case-comparison basis about diplomatic statecraft, including resources and techniques available to states to attain their objectives. Twenty years in the making, it employs an inductive method in which small samples of cases occurring at different times and between different states are studied to track and understand specific variable diplomatic behavior. Its concern with empirically-grounded generalization, in which hypotheses are formulated and tested by case similarities and differences, is a new approach to diplomatic analysis. Diplomacy, though central to international relations study and practice, has generally been studied normatively rather than theoretically, in contrast to other international relations topics. Students of diplomacy, emphasizing statecraft’s complexity, have generally shied away from theory, while theory-minded international relations analysts have neglected statecraft and highlighted military capabilities and positional rivalries as determiners of state behavior. This book instead builds diplomatic theory by investigating variation in case experience, especially in the diplomatic choices made by states. It shows that theorizing is enhanced by a diplomatic point of view and by distinguishing diplomatic behavior as cause and as effect.
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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 272 • Trim: 6⅛ x 9½
978-1-4422-3905-0 • Hardback • March 2018 • $103.00 • (£79.00)
978-1-4422-3906-7 • Paperback • March 2018 • $52.00 • (£40.00)
Subjects: Political Science / International Relations / Diplomacy, Political Science / International Relations / General, Political Science / Peace
Courses: Political Science; International Relations; Diplomacy; U.S. Diplomacy, Political Science; International Relations; War & Conflict, Political Science; International Relations; Politics of Peace & Conflict
Barry H. Steiner is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at California State University, Long Beach.
Preface
List of Cases
List of Tables
Chapter I: Introduction
Chapter II: Toward a Diplomatic Viewpoint
Chapter III: When Diplomatic Communication is Missing
Chapter IV: Bargaining, Negotiation, and Convergent Interests
Chapter V: Diplomacy as Independent and Dependent Variable
Chapter VI: Diplomatic Mediation as an Independent Variable
Chapter VII: To Arms Control or Not
Chapter VIII: Diplomacy as Effect: Public Opinion as Constraint and Pressure
Chapter IX: Seeking Diplomatic Theory: An Interim Report
Bibliography
An important and ambitious contribution to the understudied and underappreciated subject of international diplomacy. Steiner situates the diplomacy of war and peace within an impressive range of theoretical literature and backs his claims with abundant historical evidence. His book will prove a useful resource for students and scholars alike.
— James Lebovic, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University


This book fills a longstanding gap in the study of diplomacy: the need for a theory to explain why some policies and practices succeed while others fail. By analyzing targeted questions across a wide range of comparative case studies – that address diplomatic communications, alliance strategy, mediation, public opinion and arms control – Steiner builds a convincing and constructive pathway to diplomatic theory that can offer useful insights for both researchers and practitioners.
— Bertram Spector, Editor-in-Chief, "International Negotiation: A Journal of Theory and Practice"


Diplomatic analysis tends to be submerged in the overlap between foreign policy and international politics, or lost in the gap between those two fields. Barry Steiner is dedicated to reviving it from its current alternative fates, and he does it with his customary command of a wide span of events and his ability to bring out new insights that make this revived field of inquiry stand on its own and also throw light on the two adjoining fields.
— I. William Zartman, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University


  • Focuses on diplomatic negotiation in interstate conflict.
  • Seeks to develop a more general theory about diplomacy through the comparative study of historical cases.
  • Provides key concepts about diplomacy.


Diplomatic Theory

A Focused Comparison Approach

Cover Image
Hardback
Paperback
Summary
Summary
  • This book is intended as a primer for generalizing on a case-comparison basis about diplomatic statecraft, including resources and techniques available to states to attain their objectives. Twenty years in the making, it employs an inductive method in which small samples of cases occurring at different times and between different states are studied to track and understand specific variable diplomatic behavior. Its concern with empirically-grounded generalization, in which hypotheses are formulated and tested by case similarities and differences, is a new approach to diplomatic analysis. Diplomacy, though central to international relations study and practice, has generally been studied normatively rather than theoretically, in contrast to other international relations topics. Students of diplomacy, emphasizing statecraft’s complexity, have generally shied away from theory, while theory-minded international relations analysts have neglected statecraft and highlighted military capabilities and positional rivalries as determiners of state behavior. This book instead builds diplomatic theory by investigating variation in case experience, especially in the diplomatic choices made by states. It shows that theorizing is enhanced by a diplomatic point of view and by distinguishing diplomatic behavior as cause and as effect.
Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
    Pages: 272 • Trim: 6⅛ x 9½
    978-1-4422-3905-0 • Hardback • March 2018 • $103.00 • (£79.00)
    978-1-4422-3906-7 • Paperback • March 2018 • $52.00 • (£40.00)
    Subjects: Political Science / International Relations / Diplomacy, Political Science / International Relations / General, Political Science / Peace
    Courses: Political Science; International Relations; Diplomacy; U.S. Diplomacy, Political Science; International Relations; War & Conflict, Political Science; International Relations; Politics of Peace & Conflict
Author
Author
  • Barry H. Steiner is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at California State University, Long Beach.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Preface
    List of Cases
    List of Tables
    Chapter I: Introduction
    Chapter II: Toward a Diplomatic Viewpoint
    Chapter III: When Diplomatic Communication is Missing
    Chapter IV: Bargaining, Negotiation, and Convergent Interests
    Chapter V: Diplomacy as Independent and Dependent Variable
    Chapter VI: Diplomatic Mediation as an Independent Variable
    Chapter VII: To Arms Control or Not
    Chapter VIII: Diplomacy as Effect: Public Opinion as Constraint and Pressure
    Chapter IX: Seeking Diplomatic Theory: An Interim Report
    Bibliography
Reviews
Reviews
  • An important and ambitious contribution to the understudied and underappreciated subject of international diplomacy. Steiner situates the diplomacy of war and peace within an impressive range of theoretical literature and backs his claims with abundant historical evidence. His book will prove a useful resource for students and scholars alike.
    — James Lebovic, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University


    This book fills a longstanding gap in the study of diplomacy: the need for a theory to explain why some policies and practices succeed while others fail. By analyzing targeted questions across a wide range of comparative case studies – that address diplomatic communications, alliance strategy, mediation, public opinion and arms control – Steiner builds a convincing and constructive pathway to diplomatic theory that can offer useful insights for both researchers and practitioners.
    — Bertram Spector, Editor-in-Chief, "International Negotiation: A Journal of Theory and Practice"


    Diplomatic analysis tends to be submerged in the overlap between foreign policy and international politics, or lost in the gap between those two fields. Barry Steiner is dedicated to reviving it from its current alternative fates, and he does it with his customary command of a wide span of events and his ability to bring out new insights that make this revived field of inquiry stand on its own and also throw light on the two adjoining fields.
    — I. William Zartman, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University


Features
Features
    • Focuses on diplomatic negotiation in interstate conflict.
    • Seeks to develop a more general theory about diplomacy through the comparative study of historical cases.
    • Provides key concepts about diplomacy.


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