Modern Diplomacy: Communication, Representation, Negotiation (3000-word portfolio)

Modern Diplomacy: Communication, Representation, Negotiation

This module is assessed by a 3000-word portfolio comprising three sections:
1. A diplomatic cable reporting on an event or development of your choice (approximately 800 words);
2. Your reflections on the simulated negotiation (approximately 800 words):

3. A short essay (approximately 1400 words).
See the information regarding each section of the portfolio below. We will also discuss and work on parts of the portfolio in class.

 

1. Diplomatic cable
Place yourself in a capital or major city of your choice, in an embassy or consulate of a country of your choice. Report on an event for policymakers back at home, using at least two local English-language news sources (you may also use news sources in the local language if you are fluent in it). Remember the key criteria for good diplomatic reporting, which we examined in class (go back to the lecture recording and/or do the required reading for that week if you are still unclear about any of them). Your portfolio will be assessed on the following:
• Sources of information (provide references)
• Organisation (especially headings and the numbering of paragraphs)
• Relevance of this information for your own country
• Analysis and interpretation
• Usefulness (especially setting out policy options or other recommended actions)
Therefore your cable should clearly indicate how the event or issue you are reporting is relevant to your home country and provide a commentary on it (you are not producing an objective academic overview), and should include some recommendations for action or a change in policy.
Conclude this section with a sentence or two reflecting on other sources of information and opinion you would seek out if you were really a diplomat in that situation (e.g., would you try to speak to civil servants in certain government departments, business leaders, civil society organisations, academics etc.?).
This section must adopt the format of a cable, with four headings (From, To, Subject, Date) at the top, numbered paragraphs, the first of which is the summary, and with some subheadings as appropriate.

2. Reflections on the simulated negotiation
This section of the portfolio requires you to reflect on the simulated negotiation with reference to the principles of negotiation outlined by Fisher and Ury, Ross and others. See the lecture slides from the class on the art of negotiation. You should not simply describe what happened in the simulation, but reflect on and evaluate what you experienced. For example, you may decide to write about the preparations and early stage of the negotiation, exploring Ross’s principle that you should ‘know what you want, know what you can live with’ – did your country team have a clear understanding of what it wanted to get from the negotiations and how did that affect the outcome of the simulation? Alternatively, you could reflect on how well the country teams listened to and empathised with each other. Did they move beyond their official positions and begin to fully understand each other’s underlying interests? To what extent did that account for the success or failure of the negotiations?
This is an opportunity for you to reflect on how successful the negotiation was and how you might explain the success or failure of the talks. It should combine your personal experience with the application of some of the principles of effective negotiation in an effort to explain what went well and to identify aspects of the negotiation which might have been better.

Utopia negotiation instructions for simulation

Issues
(taken from Rana 2010: 340-341)
Four sticking points affect the CEPA; both sides are keen that before the President of Newland visits
Utopia in 4 weeks’ time, a framework Free Trade Area agreement should be signed. This puts
pressure on the negotiation teams. The issues are as follows:

• Utopia wants it banks, technologically advanced and enjoying a strong global competitive
position, to gain access to Newland. These banks apply IT and have a strong ATM machines
network, at home and abroad. These banks want access to Newland and have good political
connections. Newland has hinted that liberalising its restrictions on the entry of foreign banks is
currently non-negotiable; its domestic banks fear foreign competition. Its Finance Ministry also
resents the inclusion of banking issues in the CEPA, which is its turf. But over time Newland wants
to modernize its banks.
• A second problem is over the demand from Newland for more short-term work visas and
improved visa procedures from Utopia; it has many graduates looking for jobs abroad. Newland
wants Utopia to accept them, both for the remittances that they would send home, and to
reduce social discontent. Moreover, Utopia’s restrictions on business visas have hurt Newland
enterprises and the powerful commercial lobbies.
• The third issue concerns labour standards. As the richer partner, Utopia insists that Newland
must not gain economic advantage through its lower wages and ineffective application of
International Labour Organisation conventions. Newland disputes this, arguing that it has
implanted all the standards it has signed; the few it has not yet signed can be used as a political
lever, as it has plans to sign these in the future.

• The final issue concerns civil aviation. Newland is asking for what are called 5th and 6th ‘freedom
rights’, to extend its current air services beyond Utopia, to fly to other countries; it also needs
help to improve its airline, but is touchy about taking help from others. Utopia is happy to see an
expansion in air services between the two countries and wants to get its foot in the door, by
helping the Newland airline, and thereby opening the door to future business relations with it.
The task of the negotiators is to try to reconcile these different interests and
objectives, using the above information and the confidential brief.
Prepare a list of four or five points that will constitute your negotiation
strategy, before you commence the actual negotiations.
Utopia Team: Confidential Instructions
You are keen to conclude the CEPA in time for the incoming visit of the Newland President, and see
this agreement as important for the development of valuable economic links with this country.
Market access for banking is vital for Utopia. The banks are especially interested in Utopian tourists
going to Newland as a client base. They also expect future growth in the Newland market, and would
like early entry there, to gain a firstmover advantage in relation to third country banks.
The demand for more business visas is to be resisted. For one thing, the loss of jobs to Newland is a
politically sensitive matter. Utopian trade unions would vehemently oppose any further long term
job losses that flow from liberalization offered to Newland, especially in the IT industry. But you are
willing to find some ways of accommodating the Newland demand, in ways that do not mean real
job losses. Because of the terrorism issue, Utopia cannot also shorten the background checks, but if
there is some way of offering a carrot, this may be explored.
Newland must commit itself to fair labour standards; that demand must be put emphatically.
Utopian industry should not be exposed to competition from Newland enterprises that do not treat
their own workers in a fair manner. Your minimum demand is that Newland accepts fair labour
standards.
Utopia wants to get an entry to the Newland airline, so that it can develop future business there. IF
Newland gives in on this, it is willing to offer to the Newland airline the facility of extending the
existing air-link to other countries, and even give that airline the right to developing a ‘code sharing’
partnership with the Utopian airlines.

4. Academic essay

Select one of the following questions and write a short academic essay (based on research from at least eight texts from the reading list):
• During which historical period did diplomacy emerge as a mature system of communication and representation (explaining the criteria you have used to reach your conclusion)?
• Critically evaluate Berridge’s claim that embassies remain central institutions in the practice of contemporary diplomacy.
• Are espionage and diplomacy compatible endeavours?
• To what extent are secret backchannels vital to the resolution of international crises and maintaining state security?

Combine the three elements of your portfolio into one Word document for submission before the deadline.

Marking Criteria for Coursework

Marking criteria Mark range

An exceptional answer, with extensive and detailed knowledge based on a high level of
additional background research; a high degree of critical analysis, evaluation and original
insight; excellent organization and presentation.
90 – 100
In addition to the requirements for grades of 70-79% (below), an outstanding answer
incorporating a high level of originality, depth and critical insight and going well beyond
essential readings.
80 – 89
An excellent answer, going beyond essential readings; commanding understanding and
appreciation of the central points; well-written and effectively structured; evidence-based,
critical and logical analysis; comprehensive and correct referencing of sources.
70 – 79
A very good and comprehensive answer, based largely on directed reading but making use of
other readings; relevance and accuracy; clear structure and evidence-based; a sound grasp of
the subject and ability to think about it effectively with critical thinking; correct referencing of
sources.
65 – 69
A good and fairly comprehensive answer based on directed reading; most of the answer is
relevant, accurate and generally well structured; a good grasp of the subject and ability to think
about it effectively; correct referencing of sources.
60 – 64
A solid answer demonstrating use of a restricted, but relevant, range of sources; adequate
structure; mostly accurate, with few errors or omissions; some limitations in scope, critical
thinking and argument; a consistent attempt at referencing sources.
55 – 59
A satisfactory answer demonstrating a reduced range of sources and evidence; adequate
structure and mostly accurate, with few errors or omissions but with some irrelevant passages;
limited in scope, critical thinking and argument; a consistent attempt at referencing sources;
some issues with grammar and spelling.
50 – 54
A basic but incomplete answer, with limited relevant information; lacks logical and coherent
structure, with some significant errors or omissions; contains sparse and/or irrelevant
information and lacks an evidence-based approach; some limitations with referencing of
sources; poor grammar and spelling.
45 – 49
A basic but incomplete answer to the question, with limited relevant information; lacks logical
and coherent structure, with some significant errors or omissions; contains sparse and/or
irrelevant information and lacks an evidence-based approach; lack of focus on the question;
limited or inadequate referencing of sources; poor grammar and spelling, affecting comprehensibility of some passages.

40 – 44

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