Diplomatic Practices

Diplomacy is the lifeblood of the states system, shaping global interactions and maintaining order. In this book, Iver Neumann delves into the practices that define diplomacy, exploring how they evolve and vary across time and cultures. By combining historical analysis with observational insights, Neumann offers a groundbreaking approach to understanding the dynamic nature of diplomatic practices.From gift-giving to permanent representation, international law, and peacebuilding efforts, Neumann examines the core practices that have shaped diplomacy for centuries. He also investigates how diplomacy absorbs external practices, such as cultural depictions of the ‘Other,’ and institutionalizes them within its framework. With a unique focus on Norwegian diplomacy, Neumann provides a nuanced perspective while cautioning against overgeneralisation when applying findings to other contexts. The book explores how diplomacy is portrayed in fine arts and popular culture and concludes by highlighting the stability brought about by the uniformity of diplomatic services worldwide.This volume is an essential resource for students, scholars, and practitioners of diplomacy, offering fresh insights into the mechanisms that drive global relations.

Iver B. Neumann, D. Phil. (Oxon., Politics), Dr. Philos. (Oslo, Social Anthropology) is Director of The Fridtjof Nansen Institute. He has published widely within International Relations, but his latest book in English is an edited volume on the Norwegian author Karl-Ove Knausgaard called Knausgaard in Context (Oslo: Scandinavian University Press, 2025).