Building Trust Through Diplomacy
Taught by Professor Marcus Holmes
- 3 Credits
- COLL Designation Pending
- Students receive GOVERNMENT credit for this course
This course explores the essential role of diplomacy in international relations, emphasizing the significance of different modes of interpersonal engagement (face-to-face, textually mediated, and digitally mediated will be covered on the course). Diplomacy serves as a cornerstone for understanding, cooperation and the potential for peaceful international relations n a world marked by global challenges, new technological developments, and growing tensions in great power relations. Trust, a central yet elusive element in diplomatic relations, presents a formidable challenge, especially between nations with histories of conflict and differing ideologies. This course delves into the intricacies of building trust, highlighting how misperceptions and biases can hinder this process and exploring conditions that foster trust even in challenging diplomatic environments.
Central to our understanding of international relations is the concept of thesauri dilemma, where uncertainties about the intentions of others can lead to defensive measures by one state that are misperceived as harbingers of offensive intent by another. This can lead to spirals of security competition that could have been prevented had both sides been able to properly communicate their peaceful intentions to the other. This course examines this paradox and its implications for diplomacy, particularly focusing on the idea of 'Security Dilemma Sensibility'—the ability to discern and respond empathically to the intentions and fears of other states. By developing this sensibility, diplomats and leaders can differentiate defensive actions from offensive ones, reducing misunderstandings and potential conflicts. Pairing cutting-edge theory in political psychology and sociology with practical experiences and discussions with seasoned diplomats, the course offers students a comprehensive view of how theoretical concepts are applied in the complex world of diplomacy. Students will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical insights, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the field of international relations.
