Practice theory and the study of diplomacy: A research agenda

Abstract

This introductory article explores the multiple synergies between international practice theory and diplomatic studies. The timing for this cross-fertilizing exchange could not be better, as the study of diplomacy enters a phase of theorization while practice scholars look to confront the approach to new empirical and analytical challenges. The article first defines diplomacy as a historically and culturally contingent bundle of practices that are analytically alike in their claim to represent a given polity to the outside world. Then the key analytical wagers that practice theory makes are introduced, and debates currently raging in the discipline are briefly reviewed. Next, it is suggested what a practice theory of diplomacy may look like, discussing a variety of existing works through their common objective to explain the constitution of world politics in and through practice. Finally, a few research avenues to foster the dialogue between diplomatic studies and practice theory are outlined, centered on the nexuses of transformation and reproduction, rationality and know-how, and the technical vs. social dimensions of practices –diplomatic or otherwise.

European diplomatic practices: contemporary challenges and innovative approaches

“…6 We propose to make a (working) distinction between the EU, its member states and European non-member states, while keeping in mind that European diplomatic practices necessarily cut across these demarcations. Borrowing from Bourdieu, we suggest that European diplomacy should first and foremost be understood as a field of practice which is not primarily demarked by geography, but by what is at stake to the actors involved (Adler-Nissen 2014, Kuus 2014, Pouliot and Cornut 2015. This means not only that European diplomacy is fuzzy at its borders, but also that it makes little sense to distinguish between European and national practices when it comes to diplomacy and foreign policy.…”

Representation and agency in diplomacy: How Kosovo came to agree to the Rambouillet accords

“…Recently, Sending et al (2015, p. 17), for example, have argued that 'diplomacy is a socially emergent phenomenon and as such it produces effects of its own on world politics' (see also Pouliot and Cornut 2015). Such a position has obvious implications for how diplomatic representation should be conceptualised.…”

Narrative practice in international politics and diplomacy: the case of the Crimean crisis

“…Our practice theory-inspired theoretical lenses look at 'socially meaningful patterns of action' (Adler and Pouliot 2011: 6) -that is, actors' activities and routines (Neumann 2012;Pouliot and Cornut 2015;Cornut 2015b). As Adler and Pouliot (2011: 7-8) have pointed out, practice is a 'performance', and 'it tends to be patterned', 'more or less competent in a socially meaningful and recognizable way', and 'rests on background knowledge'.…”