In the face of political hyper-partisanship and a derisive erosion of civil discourse, it’s more important than ever to remember that diplomacy is not just a tool—it’s an essential practice. This approach to international relations, the art of negotiating with your peers, is necessary to build better relationships and create more cohesive societies.

Diplomacy is a major instrument of international relations, representing the broader goals and strategies that guide states in their interactions with other nations. International treaties, agreements, and alliances are usually the result of diplomatic negotiations and processes. Diplomacy may be coercive, backed by the threat of force, or nonviolent. Traditionally, diplomacy is conducted through international dialogue and negotiation, with the use of accredited ambassadors (sometimes called “envoys” in the US) and other government officials.

Unlike foreign policy, which is often enunciated publicly, diplomacy is generally kept private. This is because the main objective of diplomacy is to advance a state’s interests through a process that is not overtly political or ideological.

Diplomacy requires great nerve, management skills, and a strategic vision to envision a different outcome than the status quo—and the willingness to engage in long, complicated, multi-issue, multiparty negotiations. The stories of the diplomats featured in this book—from Kissinger and his shuttle diplomacy after the Yom Kippur War to Crocker and his work on South Africa, from Eizenstat’s climate change negotiations to Carter’s effort in Bosnia—are remarkable examples of this courage and stamina. The word diploma is derived from the Greek word for folded document, and early forms were literally documents that conferred a privilege, such as permission to travel, on the bearer.