An article by Alan K. Henrikson describes possible future trends in diplomacy and globalization, highlighting five main areas of development, and emphasizing their complex nature. The author begins with the somewhat controversial claim that the nineteenth century was more peaceful than the twentieth century with its two world wars (Henrikson, 2005). In the nineteenth century, the wars were more localized, and the level of tension in the world was no less. The development of diplomacy, mainly due to the various directions listed, has achieved excellent results in the humanization of societies and many other issues opposed to aggressive behavior at the national level.
In general, the described ways of developing diplomacy partly echo the process of globalization, but for different reasons. Disintermediation leads to conditions for an open dialogue among the country’s state institutions and others at the foreign policy level (Henrikson, 2005). The international arena can get more points of view and new big players with different agendas and interests. This fact is a step towards democratization when smaller countries or representatives of minorities from larger ones can be heard. Democratization, as a process, is an extrapolation of Europeanization, with its bilateral diplomacy, to more complex international relations (Henrikson, 2005). A unifying dialogue, as a rule, is built within the framework of crises, which is reflected by thematization. Globalization is facilitated to a greater extent by complex world problems, which become a theme to consider for mitigating the consequences or reaching compromises.
On the other hand, the impact of this reaction decreases as the crisis is successfully dealt with. Another thing is that several issues require a progressive and long-term solution at the international level, including global warming, healthcare, and the spread of viruses, countering the aggressive behavior of countries. Democratization, in this case, shows the importance of small states in influencing local issues affecting the world order. The author’s work does not clearly define Americanization: Henrikson only states what it is not (2005). However, through aspects of influence on other states through internal processes, sometimes requiring the need for intervention, it just reflects the position of hegemonization, which the author rejects. America’s role in global processes is undeniable, and diplomacy must either put up with it or look for a compromise. Extrapolation of this direction to Europe looks like a too confident statement, as diplomacy will face cultural and social differences that prevent the imposition of a value system.
Reference
Henrikson, A. K. (2005). The future of diplomacy: Five projective visions. Netherlands Institute of International Relations’ Clingendael’.