Diplomacy and Statecraft: Cases and Readings, 2nd edition provides an introduction to the theory and practice of diplomacy. Drawing on the diplomatic practices of the major powers with particular focus on Western diplomacy and foreign policy, this book also contains nine completely new case studies from a global perspective.

The 21st century is now a decade old, and the environment in which international diplomacy takes place is dynamic and rapidly changing. First, the collapse of the socialist regimes in the early days of the 1990s scrambled the power map of the world, and set in motion American international ascendancy and a new phase of globalization and democratization. Then, the attacks on the US by terrorists in September 2001 added new and unexpected dimensions to international diplomatic activities, to security concerns, to trade negotiations, to alliance formation, and to the sharing of knowledge and innovation.

We are now experiencing a new configuration of diplomatic and trade relations among and between industrialized democracies, emerging economies, developing countries and countries with capital, technology and knowledge.

Today, the management of diplomatic activities by any state is complex owing to the multidimensional features of diplomacy. Diplomacy is essentially a political activity to ensure national interest and to enable states to secure foreign policy objectives.

KAMAL SIDDIQUI is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management at Monash University. A former civil servant, he currently teaches diplomacy and the contemporary world. As Economic and Commercial Minister in the Bangladesh Embassy in China for three years and as Principal Secretary and Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office in Bangladesh for nine years, Dr. Siddiqui has attained hands-on experience in bilateral, multilateral and summit diplomacy and in international negotiations. He has also published a large number of books and articles both in Bangladesh and abroad.

Dr. QUAMRUL ALAM is Senior Lecturer, Department of Management at Monash University in Melbourne Australia. Quamrul lectures in strategic planning, strategic management and international business. His research and teaching interests include internationalization of Australian business, globalization, business clusters, supply chain management, corporate social responsibility and public-private partnerships.