The Distinction between Foreign Policy and Diplomacy in American International Thought and Practice
David Clinton
Throughout his writings, Harold Nicolson advocates a distinction between ‘policy’ (to be subject to democratic control) and ‘negotiation’ remain the province of professional diplomatists), preferring separate these two quite different activities, rather than lumping them together under general term ‘diplomacy’ (an intermingling that he found conceptually muddled politically impossible sustain once public opinion becomes mobilized). Nicholas Murray Butler George Kennan, who may taken as representing idealist realist American in twentieth century, themselves at one rejecting Nicolson’s distinction. believed progressive enlightenment opinion, resulting attainment ‘international mind’, would improve both formulation policy conduct negotiations; Kennan deprecated least United States, irredeemably clumsy ill-informed, was convinced this domestic political force not satisfied with directing policy, but insist on interfering negotiation well. Across board, seems hostile differentiation. This rejection view illustrates more influence distinctively thinking about international relations attitudes towards, expectations of, diplomacy.
The Hague Journal of Diplomacy