H. Nikolson’s views on diplomatic practice and diplomatic tools.

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the views of the famous English diplomat H. Nicolson on diplomatic practice and diplomatic tools. The approaches of H. Nicolson to the definition of goals and tasks of the diplomatic services are characterized. The concept of military diplomacy and the concept of trade diplomacy (or «the concept of a shopkeeper») which, according to H. Nicolson, had a tremendous influence on the development of international relations and were often the dominant factors in diplomatic negotiations, and in fact determined their strategy and tactics, was thoroughly considered. The features that, according to H. Nicolson, should be inherent in diplomatic staff, are described. The author discovered that for H. Nicolson it was principled to consider the origin and development of diplomatic theory as the only long process, without allocating separate phases and categories in it, and without emphasizing the occasional successes or obstacles that arose in the course of its development. H. Nicolson’s views on the process of the emergence and development of the Institute of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities are characterized. Considerable attention was paid to the analysis of the views of H. Nicolson on the place of the diplomatic service in the system of public agencies of the state. It was discovered that H. Nicolson was convinced that the diplomatic service should be out of politics, and its primary task should be to provide its work experience to the staff of the government in power, to prepare advice and objections regarding foreign policy proposals prepared by government officials. Considerable attention is paid to the characterization of H. Nicolson’s views on leading activities of diplomatic representatives abroad, in particular the collection and transmission of information obtained from reliable sources. It is noted that H. Nicolson’s views are characterized by a combination of principles of realism and idealism, which allowed him to create his own original system of views on diplomatic activity.