Track one diplomacy

Relevance

Track one diplomacy, despite scepticism due to non-state actors and digital communication, remains essential to the international system. Its main significance lies in its authority, as only state representatives can create and enforce international law through formal negotiations. This process ensures legitimacy and provides a stable framework for international relations. In crises, official communication channels are crucial for de-escalation, preventing misunderstandings from escalating into conflicts. Track one also facilitates coordinated global responses to common challenges and ensures that state commitments are carefully considered, making it vital for global governance.

Methods and approaches

Track one diplomacy involves official methods for managing international relationships, primarily through negotiation, which can be bilateral or multilateral. Key venues for these negotiations include summits and international organisations.

Outcomes are often formalised in treaties or resolutions. Additional tools include economic statecraft, such as aid or trade incentives to promote cooperation, and coercive measures like sanctions or military threats to influence behaviour. Public diplomacy is also utilised to engage foreign audiences and build support. Official representatives manage all these methods to achieve state objectives.

Geographical scope

Track one diplomacy refers to official state interactions that range from bilateral conversations between two countries to regional collaborations within organisations like the AU (African Union), ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and EU (European Union). Bilateral diplomacy involves direct communication between nations, while regional diplomacy focuses on negotiating common policies among member states. The multilateral stage covers global discussions held by bodies such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation, addressing worldwide issues like peace, health, and the environment. This demonstrates the layered structure of official diplomacy at local, regional, and global levels.

Historical development

The origins of modern track one diplomacy can be traced back to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which established state sovereignty and the framework for formal diplomatic communication through permanent missions. The Congress of Vienna in 1815 further codified diplomatic protocol.

The 20th century saw the establishment of the League of Nations and the United Nations, which promoted multilateral diplomacy. During the Cold War, significant negotiations occurred between the United States and the Soviet Union, particularly in arms control. Despite advancements in communication technology, the core principles of state representation and formal negotiation have remained constant.

Actors

Track one diplomacy involves a limited number of clearly defined actors, primarily sovereign states and their officials. At the highest level are heads of state and government, including presidents and prime ministers, who engage in summit diplomacy.

Below them are foreign ministers responsible for overseeing foreign policy. The daily activities are carried out by professional diplomats, such as ambassadors and envoys, who operate in embassies and international organisations, representing their governments with formal authority. They are supported by a network of officials and experts within their home countries who assist in executing foreign policy.

Examples

1. Camp David Accords (1978): US President Jimmy Carter facilitated direct negotiations between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, resulting in a historic peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

2. Iran Nuclear Deal (2015): Known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), this agreement emerged from negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 countries, placing restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

3. Paris Agreement (2015): This global climate agreement, negotiated under the UNFCCC, involved representatives from 196 countries. It established a framework for combating climate change based on nationally determined contributions.

These examples highlight the role of high-level diplomacy in resolving complex issues at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

The difference between track one and track two diplomacy

Track one diplomacy refers to formal interactions between government representatives, while track two diplomacy is an informal equivalent involving non-governmental actors such as academics and civil society leaders. The key difference is in the actors and the level of formality.

Track two allows for flexible dialogue aimed at promoting understanding, building trust, and exploring new ideas without the constraints of official positions. It serves to complement track one by addressing the underlying social dimensions of conflicts. An example of track two diplomacy is the unofficial dialogues between Israelis and Palestinians that led to the Oslo Accords.

Track one diplomacy is the official dialogue between states and serves as the foundation of international relations, producing binding international law, managing crises, and coordinating global actions. Despite criticisms of being slow and exclusive, it holds unmatched authority. This diplomacy is influenced by non-state actors like NGOs, academics, and business leaders, but key decisions regarding war, peace, and global governance are ultimately made through official channels. Understanding track one diplomacy is essential for grasping the structure of power and responsibility in today’s world.