Table Of Content“Dr Ridley’s work is a fascinating study in the history of diplomacy,
an essential though often invisible profession, whose highly skilled
practitioners do far more than is generally recognised. Over half a
millennium the remit of diplomacy has evolved to embrace interna-
tional conflict-resolution in addition to its original task of furthering
the interests of a particular nation. A must-read.”
Professor Patrick Sookhdeo PhD, DD,Faculty of Theology and
Religion, University of Pretoria, South Africa
“Stimulating, interpretative and informative on diplomacy over five
centuries tracing diplomacy – and diplomats – in conflict resolution.
Essential reading for students and practitioners of international his-
tory, international affairs and international security.”
Professor Dan Silverstone, Head of Law and Criminology,
University of Greenwich, UK
Diplomacy Through the Ages
This book is a diplomatic history of Europe and the wider world over a
period of 500 years, from the beginning of the sixteenth century to the
early twenty-first century – with a crucial aspect.
The book reflects upon the development of diplomacy and diplomats in
changing from acting solely in the national interests of their respective
countries to increasingly engaging in international conflict resolution and
peace-making. It will be invaluable reading for students and practitioners
of international history, international relations and international security.
Nick Ridley is Visiting Research Fellow at Liverpool John Moores
University.
Diplomacy Through the Ages
From Liar Abroad to Global
Peace-Maker
Nick Ridley
First published 2023
by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an
informa business
© 2023 Nick Ridley
The right of Nick Ridley to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechani-
cal, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trade-
marks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identifica-
tion and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British
Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Ridley, Nicholas, author.
Title: Diplomacy through the ages: from liar abroad to global peace-maker
/ Nick Ridley.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY : Routledge, 2023. | Includes
bibliographical references and index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2022030627 (print) | LCCN 2022030628 (ebook) | ISBN
9781032192468 (hardback) | ISBN 9781032193526 (paperback) | ISBN
9781003258780 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Diplomacy--History. | World politics.
Classification: LCC JZ1305 .R53 2023 (print) | LCC JZ1305 (ebook) | DDC
327.2--dc23/eng/20220628
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022030627
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022030628
ISBN: 978-1-032-19246-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-19352-6 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-25878-0 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003258780
Typeset in Sabon
by SPi Technologies India Pvt Ltd (Straive)
Contents
Acknowledgements viii
Introduction ix
1 Sixteenth-century diplomacy – and ‘the balance of power’ 1
2 The Thirty Years’ War 32
3 Westphalia 1648 45
4 On to Utrecht – wider conflict 48
5 Utrecht 1713 58
6 From Utrecht to Vienna 61
7 Vienna 1815 85
8 Nation-states, and on to Paris 101
9 Paris 1919 126
10 Global war returns 145
11 Potsdam 1945 153
12 The late twentieth century – and into the twenty-first 174
13 Conclusion 195
Bibliography and works consulted 199
Index 202
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank the staff of the Hague Libraries and all their
staff. In particular, the local library at Mozartlaan which, though small,
is vibrant, friendly, a perfect study environment and with always helpful
staff. Also, the author is grateful to the staff of the Netherlands National
Library in The Hague and the Netherlands National Archives in The
Hague for their assistance, valuable assistance which was given with
unfailing courtesy, friendliness and efficiency. The library of Jesus College
Cambridge provided valuable specialist material.
Most importantly as with all his books, the author owes a large debt of
gratitude for the translations, for the preliminary proof readings and for
the advice, constant support and patience of Ingrid.
Introduction
A diplomat is an individual sent by his country to lie abroad
So stated the common sixteenth-century dictum on ambassadors and
envoys.
This book will trace how diplomacy has evolved from diplomats and
foreign policy acting purely in the self-interest of the country to diplo-
macy and diplomats, whilst still upholding the interests of the individual
country, increasingly engaging in international peace-keeping and con-
flict negotiation.
This book has two objectives. Firstly, as a diplomatic history of Europe
and the wider world over a period of 500 years, from the beginning of the
sixteenth century to the early twenty-first century. Secondly studying the
development of diplomacy and diplomats in changing from acting solely
in the national interests of their respective countries to increasingly
engaging in international conflict resolution and peace-making.
From this analysis has been made as to what essential elements are
necessary in peace negotiations between conflicting parties in order to
arrive at a successful peace settlement. These elements are summarised
and stated in the conclusion. These do not claim to be exhaustive or
complete. Peace negotiating and peace-making are constant learning and
adapting processes, as the diplomats so involved would acknowledge.
However, with these elements being followed in the peace negotiations
and the settlement, then it is submitted that lasting peace has a good
chance of success. In the course of the narrative, five crucial stages have
been identified. These are five international peace treaties and processes
bringing to an end major conflicts and are described and analysed in
terms of which elements played a part.
Students of history, of international relations, of international law,
indeed any and all students who have been required to read this book,
like all students will be under time pressure to cover all required reading
for essay and assignment deadlines and the dreaded exams (the author
too was a student) – to such students, it is suggested primarily to focus
upon the five chapters on the peace treaties and settlements, i.e. chapters
