THE EVOLUTION OF DIPLOMACY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Diplomacy as a management of relations between states has millennia long tradition. Developed through four main phases (early, classical, modern and postmodern), it has always been in a function of a concrete social and historical situation as well as dependent on it. Diplomacy is a highly complex social term and phenomenon. Its appearance within the context of social sciences started with the approach of history (Thucydides), continued with political sciences (Machiavelli) and followed by international law (Grotius). Nicolson and Satow launched focused research of diplomacy that led through theories of international relations, law and political sciences to a forming of diplomatic studies (Berridge) a few decades ago. Researched by sociology of diplomacy (Jazbec), diplomacy demonstrates its vitality, continuity and interdisciplinary substance. Social sciences remain to be the main research frame for contemplating, implementing and use of diplomacy in understanding and managing relations among international actors.