Diplomacy and NationStates

[frattastan]

Original source: http://z4.|invisionfree|.com/thepacific/i ... =3146&st=0
As posted in the Naivetry Reference Library.

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Diplomacy and NationStates
By BlackAdder
Diplomacy is the only real power in NationStates. Period. Despite this it is the most underdeveloped aspect of the Game. I point to this as being a result of limited knowledge as to how diplomacy actually works RL. What you'll find in the remainder of this lecture is examples of Real life illustrating what is happening in NationStates and vice versa.

Firstly why is Diplomacy power? Because it brings with it recognition, then acceptance, then a common bond. When you have a consensus standing together united on a specific cause, viewpoint or goal it makes an intimidating force to be reckoned with. In all instances of treaties, great alliances and shared energy it is the diplomat who forges the ground laying endeavours for the rest of the region to take and build on.

Take a little over a year ago and the situation in the Francoist Pacific. We had pulled out of the North Pacific Campaign after Free4All exploited the cheat and used he puppetmaster technique. If it were us at that time it would have been different, we had little currency in the popular support of this game to have the necessary backing for moderation to have allowed it. The ADN obviously did. How has this changed? Rather why?

The Pacific set out on a policy of recognition with our neighbours. At first it was a humiliating exercise of swallowing our pride and enduring the arms length approach extended us taking whatever we could. Interest sections. Consulates. Outright rejections. We did have a plan and we followed it. This is the difference between our success and the way most regions handle their Foreign Affairs. There needs to be a plan in place and a definite foreign policy. Ours was modelled on Litvinov of the Soviet Union in the late 20's and early 30's. The reasoning being was he faced similar issues and obstacles and a nearly identical recent past.

There is a definite difference between an Embassy, a Consulate and an Interest Section. Interest Sections are an indication the region is interested but you are on probation, depending on your position this is usually a humiliating slap. The rough translation is you are not good enough to be let in the front door. There is no equivalent in real life. The closest perhaps is the Embassy of the UK taking care of affairs for Commonwealth nationals but it is not a neat fit.

Consulates real life are satellite embassies which are located in larger cities requiring a presence but don't deal with official business. NationStates they are a slap again though not so severe. They mean we will deal with you but we're not going to let you into the parlour. It is usually a probationary step to appease the more xenophobic of a regional population. It does however imply recognition.

Embassies are the desired goal. There is recognition and very real upper level contact. This is often misused by regions. For example the ADN. The ADN claims to be an alliance yet they have embassies in willing regions, RL name one instance of this? NATO does not set up diplomatic missions. Because it is an Alliance their representatives report to in this case the Military of member nations who then report to their respective Gov'ts. It is up to those Gov'ts to dissemenate the information to their citizens. They way in which this ADN deals with this it is an Empire announcing to the Provincial Gov'ts what is happening. Get your back down Dilbert, I am pointing out the reality of it in a diplomatic sense. It is not the ADN's job to update your people, it is yours and it should be done thru your Military offices not your Foreign Affairs.

So what is the role of Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy? Diplomacy is the arm of Foreign Affairs which goes out and mixes with the outside. Foreign Affairs is the Internal Government division which makes the policy decisions. Diplomats are never to make their own decisions regarding Policy in a fashion which implies they are acting officially when they are not. It is a difficult tightrope to walk. On one hand it is the Diplomats job to integrate itself into a foreign population, on the other hand they are expected to be the voice of their home region. There will inevitably be conflict, when such an example arises its necessary to clearly state you speak only for yourself. Israel would not exist today were it not for the backbencher Balfour. It is important to send diplomats to interact with a population you have ties with. They see there are people just like them and it spawns closer ties.

Diplomacy is a tool of Foreign policy in the sense that withdrawal of Ambassadors or downgrading of diplomatic missions send a very real message. The obvious next step is further degradation of relations and perhaps other regions following suit. A disaster in any sense because you are losing power and influence. The last step before outright aggression.