Summit diplomacy: Historical development and contemporary trends
Abstract
Summit diplomacy, or diplomacy at the highest level, has developed alongside diplomacy itself. Although its roots reach deep into the past, it was only in the second half of the 20th century that it fully flourished, primarily due to technological innovations and the intensification of the globalization process. The development of modern summit diplomacy and its significance in global relations was also influenced by the proliferation of international governmental organizations, the Cold War, and the process of decolonization. This paper explores the evolution of summit diplomacy from its beginnings to the outbreak of the Cold War, its dynamics during the Cold War, and the new trends in summit diplomacy in the 21st century. The main aim of this work is to critically examine the role of summit diplomacy as a key tool of foreign policy, as well as its contribution to solving complex international problems and improving bilateral and multilateral relations, despite the numerous challenges it faces. The methodology of this paper will include case studies of selected summits across three historical periods. The analysis will be based on a theoretical framework combining performative theory and an understanding of diplomacy through dramaturgical theory.
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