Does anyone out there know what the stages of diplomacy are? Is the final stage of diplomacy war?

Question

I'm trying to discover and understand if there are progressive steps to diplomacy. That is, if one step does not work to bring about an amiable solution, another step must be taken. I've heard, and I'm not sure as to how correct it is, that the last step of diplomacy is war.

I understand that many people see diplomacy at the level of nation states, but I wonder if the same steps can be used between a conflict I am trying to mediate between two parties.

Answer 1

This question would require a complicated answer and a great deal of research because there is no easy answer.

Also, actually diplomacy does not necessarily end with war.  Negotiations during war can often bring about a cessation of hostilities.

Answer 2

Politics is the womb of war

Answer 3

"War is a continuation of politics by other means."

Answer 4

In “Foreign Policy and the American Mind” [September], Robert A. Nisbet writes: “It is a truth often uttered that war is an extension of foreign policy.”

That is not a truth. It may well have been in the time of von Clausewitz, but no longer. War is, instead, the breakdown of whatever diplomatic policy we may presently have. . .

You can be diplomatic in your efforts to model peace, amiability or even mollification. Try to shoot for tolerable heated debate with anger allowed for and then balanced out with intercessory prowess on your part. This would reflect on your skills as a negotiator and/or confidant. If you are committed to peace and viability here, you must sign on and buy into some kind of "Fairness Doctrine" or Truth that will inevitably lead to world view, spiritual and religious differences. You might need the referral of a professional counselor as well.

Keeping these two parties "real" is your goal here I think. I cannot discern if these parties are your friends, acquaintances, co workers, clients, or just people in your "tribe".  Keeping it working is going to be "their" work though.

Be part of the solution and not the problem.