Actors of Diplomacy

Actors of Diplomacy are those entities which have the capacity to maintain meaningful relations
amongst themselves. In international law, an actor must possess legal personality, which
basically means that it has the capacity to act and transact. Actors therefore require a degree of
autonomy. In diplomacy and in international relations generally, states are the main actors,
although by no means the only ones. States and other actors of diplomacy can be analyzed
through various dimensions and levels. Such analysis can be based on their attitudes and
orientation towards participation in the international system. For example one can analyze an
actors’ influence based on the global, regional or sub regional scope of their operations, their
power influence or their domestic decision making structures and institutions.

There are basically two categories of actors in diplomacy. These are state actors and non-state
actors

State Actors of Diplomacy

States are the principle actors in international relations and diplomacy. This is because states are
the main subjects of international law. States must display certain criteria in order to qualify for
statehood. They must enjoy sovereignty, and be at least politically independent without being
subjected to the jurisdiction of another state. States must also have a fixed territory. This
determines their location and the limits of their boundaries within which they exercise their
authority. States must also have a central authority which oversees the conduct of its affairs, both
domestic and international. Lastly states must have a defined population which consists of those
people over whom it exercises authority.

Although the criteria for statehood are universal, each state’s capacity to act varies. The capacity
of states to act is influenced by a variety of factors, for example economic power, political and
ideological influence, geopolitical concerns such as size and location, the availability of natural
resources, military power, and the will to exercise leadership. These factors determine the impact
and influence that a state has in international affairs.

Each actor of diplomacy has a specified organs through which it conducts its affairs. For states,
the ministry of foreign affairs is the most important organ of diplomacy. The growth of post war
multilateral regulatory diplomacy has led to the involvement in external relations of a wider
range of ministries, such as aviation, environment, shipping, customs, health, education and
sport.

In many countries the ministry of foreign affairs is the spokesman on the state external affairs. It
is in charge of diplomatic missions abroad. The Vienna convention on diplomatic relations
confers on the foreign ministry certain responsibilities. For example the ministry is normally
notified of the sending of a head of mission and usually receives a true copy of his credentials:
this enables a head of mission to assume his responsibilities pending the formal representation of
credentials to the head of state

Non state Actors of Diplomacy

Non-state actors are individuals or organizations that have powerful economic, political or social
power and are able to influence at a national and sometimes international level but do not belong
to or allied themselves to any particular country or state. Non states actors have proliferated in
number and type, ranging from traditional economic interest groups to resource, environment,
humanitarian, aid and global interest. The proliferation of non-state actors has led to questions
about the primacy of the state as an actor in international relations. States however still continue
to be the central authoritative decision units with respect to critical and strategic decisions over
the conduct of external affairs.

There are various types of non-state actors that participate in diplomatic affairs.

1. International Organizations

There are various catagories of international organizations. They can be generally be divided into
two intergovernmental organizations (interstate organizations) and international non-
governmental organization (interstate non-governmental organization).

 Intergovernmental organization: They are constituted by states and are funded by

member governments. Under intergovernmental organizations there are international
organizations of a universal character (e.g. IMF , UN) and those of a regional character(
ECOWAS, IGAD). Regional organizations are set up for the purpose of bringing
members of the same region together or cooperation, be it economic, social, political,
 cultural or other matters. Regional organizations have the additional merit that they boost
the joint capacity of their members to act in the region and internationally. The objectives
of these intergovernmental organizations in general reflects the policies of their member
states.
 International nongovernmental organization: These are organizations are usually set
up by individuals or groups within a state. They acquire the statues of international non-
governmental organization when their activities transcend the borders of more than one
state. International non-governmental organizations tend to be functional in character.
Apart from organization such International Committee of The Red cross (ICRC), most
international nongovernmental organization have no international legal status. Their
recognition as actors in diplomacy is rather derived from the impact of their activities e.g
Greenpeace and its impact on protecting the environment.
2. Individuals- Various individuals at a personal level have become world renowned for
their influence on diplomatic engagement and generally world politics. For example,
former political leaders have become actors pursuing parallel or ‘private’ diplomatic
initiatives, with varying degrees of approval or endorsement, at the margins of
international conflict. We also have Individuals representing ethnic or national
communities that try to influence their original and current territories. Individuals who
are active abroad in movements and social causes are also considered non state actors in
diplomatic engagement as they also have the ability to influence global processes.
3. Criminal groups and rebel armies- Organizations such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State
(ISIS) have gained increasing recognition due to the influence they have had on
international politics. The continuous threat of terror groups has influence the foreign
policy of many states as they try to protect their national interest. Diplomatic engagement
with the representatives of this groups has some time been seen as an option as the
international community grapples on how to deal with this new form of security threats.
4. Media- The role of media is essential to shape national/transnational public opinion.
Coverage of events may modify the awareness and attitude of public opinions worldwide,
which in turn may influence international actors. The coverage of certain events by
broadcasters such as CNN has influenced their development. It is important to keep in
 mind that traditional media have been in the last years complemented, and to some extent
replaced, by social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, etc
5. Churches and church organizations-The Catholic church and other religious sects are
quite active in their international advocacy efforts. They have in part helped found other
non-state actors such as Catholic Relief an international non-governmental organization.
The church has over the years become an increasingly important actor in diplomatic
discourses around the world especially in relation to conflict prevention and management.

ORGANS OF DIPLOMACY

Ministry of Foreign affairs

Each actor of diplomacy has specialized organs through which it conducts its affairs. For states,
the ministry of foreign affairs is the most important organ of diplomacy. In many countries, the
ministry of foreign affairs is the spokesman on the state’s external affairs. The ministry is
however not a unitary organ, and hence it performs its function in consultation with other organs
of the state. These organs include the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.

Functions of Ministry of foreign affairs

 Provides policy advice and support to the Government on all aspects of foreign policy,
including international political, regional issues, international development matters and
legal issues and all other matters related to the national interest of the State
 Plays a key role, through its Missions abroad, in promoting economic and trading
interests, cultural profile and reputation internationally. This role has been enhanced by
the setting up of relevant departments within the ministry and missions abroad to
facilitate this process.
 Provides consular assistance to the increasing number of citizens travelling, living and
working overseas. Through consular missions abroad, the ministry is equally able to
achieve various commercial and trade interest
 Develops and implements Government policy towards communities abroad with a view
to helping the most vulnerable emigrants and harnessing the important support the wider
diaspora can offer in assisting economic recovery and restoring international reputation.
  Represents and advances the interests and values abroad of a state. This is through
participation with various relevant multilateral agencies like international organizations
(including the EU and the UN) and bilaterally with other States.

Non State Actors

For non-state actors such as intergovernmental organizations, the Secretariat of these

organizations is the most important organ of diplomacy. For example UN- UN secretariat, AU-
AU Secretariat, EAC- EAC Secretariat, ECOWAS- ECOWAS Secretariat, EU- EU commission.
Organs of international organizations are normally distinguished by their administrative or policy
role. The secretariat/Commission is normally the principal organ and is normally headed by a
secretary general or an executive director/Commission President. The United Nations for
example has 6 principle organs- General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social
Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice and The Secretariat.