DIPLOMATIC SKILLS. THE BASICS

Synopsis

Diplomacy aims to make the world a somewhat better place. And for that to happen, we need thoughtful people, which most diplomats happen to be. But thought alone does not carry us very far. Thought needs to result in action. It is not thinking about the world but changing it that makes for an effective diplomat. Diplomacy is not a science, but a practice. It is what diplomats do. They write reports, make public speeches, debate, negotiate, preside over meetings … For all that they need diplomatic skills. This book is about these skills. Looking at them more closely, we soon realise that these are skills upon which most of us, diplomats and non-diplomats, rely most of the time. Somehow, we are all diplomats.

Diplomatic Skills. The basics will be of interest to students, diplomats, lawyers, businesspeople, government officials, military officers, lobbyists, journalists and ultimately to everybody who wishes to acquire the communication skills that allow them to smoothly navigate through life, both professional and private.

PRAISE FOR DIPLOMATIC SKILLS. THE BASICS: 

  "A splendidly short book and excellent introduction on the skills and aptitudes necessary for modern diplomacy."
       John Peet, Political editor, The Economist

"Diplomatic Skills makes for great reading, both instructive and fun."
       Philippe Van Parijs, Professor of political philosophy at the University of Louvain and Robert Shuman Fellow at               the European University Institute

"This is a great book. I wish I had it when I began my career in Washington!"
        Jim Townsend, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Pentagon

"A must-have for all people interested in diplomatic skills"
      Jan Wouters, Professor of International Law, Leuven University.

Table of contents

Specifications

Johan Verbeke