The field of diplomatic relations is the scaled-up version of human communities learning to live together and manage shared resources. Strip away the protocol and the ornate settings, and diplomats are people with families and hopes and concerns – reflecting their diverse cultures and histories. Their interactions are influenced by psychology – the dynamics of trust, challenges of perception biases, and our tendency towards both cooperation and competition.
For most of history, diplomacy largely consisted of bilateral negotiations between nations – one-on-one conversations about trade, borders, and military ties. Such agreements may be tacit, resulting in the exchange of letters and notes that are called diplomatic notes or messages, or formalized in documents that are known as protocols, accords, and treaties.
In addition to bilateral relations, diplomacy also involves multilateral agreements between multiple countries or organizations. Multilateral agreements allow countries to explore potential common interests without incurring significant political costs. They can involve a broad range of issues, including international economics, environmental standards, labor laws, or intellectual property.
Disputes and disagreements are not uncommon in international relations, and when they arise, diplomats may use sanctions (restricting travel or imposing a financial embargo) to pressure the other party to agree to changes in policy. In severe cases, diplomats can even formally sever relations with another nation to express disapproval of its policies or actions. This is rarely done, but is an option available to governments that find themselves in a deadlock over a serious issue.