Author Image

251 shades of diplomacy: Inflated terminology and deflated respect for diplomacy

Jovan Kurbalija
Published on October 21 2024
The book "231 Shades of Diplomacy" catalogs an extensive array of diplomatic types, revealing a significant expansion in terminology, particularly in the digital age. While phrases like "cyber diplomacy" and "Facebook diplomacy" illustrate this evolution, the respect for diplomacy itself appears to be diminishing. Despite its growing prevalence in discourse, the concept of diplomacy often fails to receive the acknowledgment it deserves, overshadowed by military power and simplistic national narratives. The author advocates for a reevaluation of diplomacy's role and the courage inherent in its practice, essential for fostering societal solutions and recognizing the importance of compromise.

As of today (27 October), we have identified 251 types of diplomacy, ranging from classical to TikTok diplomacy. This research is a ‘collateral advantage’ of my exploration of terminological confusion surrounding digitalisation and diplomacy over the past three decades. One paradox struck me: the more the term diplomacy is used, the less it is used and respected by an increasingly polarised society.

While you go through types of diplomacy, please add the missing ones here:

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Animals and natureCore diplomacyConduct of diplomacy: Negotiation, tactics, and protocolCountries and regionsCulture and ArtsEconomy and ResourcesEnvironment and SustainabilityFoods and beverageHistory and evolution of diplomacyHumanitarian and HealthHuman rights and identityReligion and FaithSecurity and PowerSports and WellbeingTechnology and communication


NoteBy clicking on the Submit button, you are agreeing to our Privacy policy.

Evolution and terminological confusion

Once, simply saying ‘diplomacy’ was enough. Then, in the early 2000s, came ‘cyber diplomacy,’ an apt term for a time when cyber-field emerged as a new international engagement domain. By 2011, with the rise of ‘Facebook diplomacy’ during the Arab Spring, the floodgates of terminology burst open.

Today, we have nearly 30 variations of ‘diplomacy’ related to technology—from commonly used terms like cyber, digital, and tech diplomacy to newer ones like Zoom, Instagram, and selfie diplomacy. The search for terminological clarity, as illustrated below, is identified as one of the main challenges for U.S. digital/cyber diplomacy in a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

The image shows an illustration of a meeting in which a cloud explaining different tech and communiction terminology in diplomacy.

The most typically used terms to describe the impact of digitalisation on diplomacy are digital diplomacy, tech diplomacy, and cyber diplomacy, They are often used interchangeably. Most of new terminology relates to using social media for public diplomacy and propaganda.

32 Technology and communication terms
  1. AI diplomacy
  2. Algorithmic diplomacy
  3. Blog diplomacy
  4. Blockchain diplomacy
  5. Cable diplomacy
  6. Chip diplomacy
  7. Crypto diplomacy
  8. Cyber diplomacy
  9. Digital diplomacy
  10. E-diplomacy
  11. Emoji diplomacy
  12. Facebook diplomacy
  13. ICT diplomacy
  14. Innovation diplomacy
  15. Instagram diplomacy
  16. Internet diplomacy
  17. Linkedin diplomacy
  18. Megaphone diplomacy
  19. Metaverse diplomacy
  20. Online diplomacy
  21. Podcast diplomacy
  22. Public diplomacy
  23. Quantum diplomacy
  24. Semiconductor diplomacy
  25. Selfie diplomacy
  26. Sound diplomacy
  27. Tech diplomacy
  28. Telegraph diplomacy
  29. Telephone diplomacy
  30. TikTok diplomacy
  31. Twitter diplomacy
  32. Virtual diplomacy
  33. Web diplomacy
  34. Wolf Warrior diplomacy
  35. Zoom diplomacy

While helping students and diplomats navigate the terminological confusion surrounding ‘digital diplomacy,’ I realized the growing popularity of the term ‘diplomacy’ in other areas, leading to the current count of 251 types of diplomacy listed below.

251 types of diplomacy in alphabetical order
  1. Academic diplomacy
  2. Ad hoc diplomacy
  3. AI diplomacy
  4. Aid diplomacy
  5. Algorithmic diplomacy
  6. Amarna diplomacy
  7. Ancient diplomacy
  8. Animal diplomacy
  9. Antarctic diplomacy
  10. Anticipatory diplomacy
  11. Arctic diplomacy
  12. Art diplomacy
  13. Asian diplomacy
  14. Astronomic diplomacy
  15. Atomic diplomacy
  16. Backchannel diplomacy
  17. Bamboo diplomacy
  18. Band-Aid diplomacy
  19. Baseball diplomacy
  20. Big Stick diplomacy
  21. Bilateral diplomacy
  22. Biodiversity diplomacy
  23. Blended diplomacy
  24. Blog diplomacy
  25. Blockchain diplomacy
  26. Bombing diplomacy
  27. Boudoir diplomacy
  28. Byzantine diplomacy
  29. Cable diplomacy
  30. Camel diplomacy
  31. Carbon diplomacy
  32. Carpet diplomacy
  33. Caviar diplomacy
  34. Celebrity diplomacy
  35. Chequebook diplomacy
  36. China diplomacy
  37. Chip diplomacy
  38. Cigar diplomacy
  39. Citizen diplomacy
  40. Citizenship diplomacy
  41. City diplomacy
  42. Civil diplomacy
  43. Classical diplomacy
  44. Clausewitzian diplomacy
  45. Climate diplomacy
  46. Coctail party diplomacy
  47. Coffee diplomacy
  48. Coercive diplomacy
  49. Cold War diplomacy
  50. Corridor diplomacy
  51. Commercial diplomacy
  52. Conference diplomacy
  53. Consular diplomacy
  54. Contemporary diplomacy
  55. Cotton diplomacy
  56. Covid diplomacy
  57. Cowboy diplomacy
  58. Cricket diplomacy
  59. Crisis diplomacy
  60. Crypto diplomacy
  61. Culinary diplomacy
  62. Cultural diplomacy
  63. Cuneiform diplomacy
  64. Cut-price diplomacy
  65. Cyber diplomacy
  66. Dept-trap diplomacy
  67. Development diplomacy
  68. Diaspora diplomacy
  69. Digital diplomacy
  70. Direct dial diplomacy
  71. Disarmament diplomacy
  72. Disaster diplomacy
  73. Dog diplomacy
  74. Dollar diplomacy
  75. Domestic diplomacy
  76. Dubrovnik diplomacy
  77. E-diplomacy
  78. Earth diplomacy
  79. Earthquake diplomacy
  80. Education diplomacy
  81. Elephant diplomacy
  82. Energy diplomacy
  83. Environmental diplomacy
  84. Emoji diplomacy
  85. EU diplomacy
  86. Everyday diplomacy
  87. Exchange diplomacy
  88. Exhibition diplomacy
  89. Expo diplomacy
  90. Facebook diplomacy
  91. Face-to-face diplomacy
  92. Fado diplomacy
  93. Falcons diplomacy
  94. Feminist diplomacy
  95. Financial diplomacy
  96. Food diplomacy
  97. Funeral diplomacy
  98. Fusion diplomacy
  99. Gaffe diplomacy
  100. Gastronomic diplomacy
  101. Gift diplomacy
  102. Golf diplomacy
  103. Grain diplomacy
  104. Grassroot diplomacy
  105. Guerilla diplomacy
  106. Golf diplomacy
  107. Gulf diplomacy
  108. Gumboot diplomacy
  109. Gunboat diplomacy
  110. Hard diplomacy
  111. Health diplomacy
  112. Hedgehog diplomacy
  113. Hostage diplomacy
  114. Human rights diplomacy
  115. Humanitarian diplomacy
  116. Hybrid diplomacy
  117. ICT diplomacy
  118. Independent diplomacy
  119. Informal diplomacy
  120. Innovation diplomacy
  121. Instagram diplomacy
  122. Intelligence diplomacy
  123. Intercultural diplomacy
  124. Interfaith diplomacy
  125. International diplomacy
  126. Internet diplomacy
  127. Investment diplomacy
  128. Inyambo diplomacy
  129. Kautilya diplomacy
  130. Knowledge diplomacy
  131. Language diplomacy
  132. Linkedin diplomacy
  133. Lions diplomacy
  134. Lunar diplomacy
  135. Mango diplomacy
  136. Maritime diplomacy
  137. Mediaeval diplomacy
  138. Mega diplomacy
  139. Megaphone diplomacy
  140. Metaverse diplomacy
  141. Middle East diplomacy
  142. Migration diplomacy
  143. Military diplomacy
  144. Minilateral diplomacy
  145. Missionary diplomacy
  146. Mob diplomacy
  147. Modern diplomacy
  148. Moon diplomacy
  149. Multi-track diplomacy
  150. Multilateral diplomacy
  151. Multistakeholder diplomacy
  152. Music diplomacy
  153. Napkin diplomacy
  154. Neutral diplomacy
  155. New diplomacy
  156. NGO diplomacy
  157. Nuclear diplomacy
  158. Ocean diplomacy
  159. Offline diplomacy
  160. Oil diplomacy
  161. Old diplomacy
  162. Olympic diplomacy
  163. Omnilateral diplomacy
  164. Online diplomacy
  165. Open diplomacy
  166. Orangutan diplomacy
  167. Ottoman diplomacy
  168. Ozone diplomacy
  169. Panda diplomacy
  170. Pandemic diplomacy
  171. Papal diplomacy
  172. Para diplomacy
  173. Parallel diplomacy
  174. Parliamentary diplomacy
  175. Peace diplomacy
  176. People-to-People diplomacy
  177. Personal diplomacy
  178. Ping-pong diplomacy
  179. Pizza diplomacy
  180. Plurilateral diplomacy
  181. Podcast diplomacy
  182. Polylateral diplomacy
  183. Positive diplomacy
  184. Preventive diplomacy
  185. Proactive diplomacy
  186. Propaganda diplomacy
  187. Proto diplomacy
  188. Protocol diplomacy
  189. Proxy diplomacy
  190. Pseudo diplomacy
  191. Public diplomacy
  192. Pull-side diplomacy
  193. Quantum diplomacy
  194. Quiet diplomacy
  195. Railways diplomacy
  196. Raw material diplomacy
  197. Real-time diplomacy
  198. Regional diplomacy
  199. Religious diplomacy
  200. Renaissance diplomacy
  201. Roma diplomacy
  202. Rowing diplomacy
  203. Rug diplomacy
  204. Salmon diplomacy
  205. Sand diplomacy
  206. Satellite diplomacy
  207. Sauna diplomacy
  208. Science diplomacy
  209. SDGs diplomacy
  210. Secret diplomacy
  211. Semiconductor diplomacy
  212. Selfie diplomacy
  213. Sherpa diplomacy
  214. Shuttle diplomacy
  215. Silent diplomacy
  216. Soft power diplomacy
  217. Sound diplomacy
  218. Space diplomacy
  219. Sports diplomacy
  220. State diplomacy
  221. Strategic diplomacy
  222. Sub-state diplomacy
  223. Summit diplomacy
  224. Superpower diplomacy
  225. Tea diplomacy
  226. Tech diplomacy
  227. Telegraph diplomacy
  228. Telephone diplomacy
  229. TikTok diplomacy
  230. Toothless diplomacy
  231. Track-Two diplomacy
  232. Trade diplomacy
  233. Transnational diplomacy
  234. Triangular diplomacy
  235. Twin-track diplomacy
  236. Twitter diplomacy
  237. US diplomacy
  238. Vaccine diplomacy
  239. Vatican diplomacy
  240. Venetian diplomacy
  241. Virtual diplomacy
  242. War diplomacy
  243. Water diplomacy
  244. Web diplomacy
  245. Wellness diplomacy
  246. Wolf Warrior diplomacy
  247. Wrestling diplomacy
  248. Yoga diplomacy
  249. Youth diplomacy
  250. Youtube diplomacy
  251. Zoom diplomacy
Core diplomacy
  1. Bilateral diplomacy
  2. Classical diplomacy
  3. Conference diplomacy
  4. Consular diplomacy
  5. Contemporary diplomacy
  6. Domestic diplomacy
  7. Modern diplomacy
  8. Multilateral diplomacy
  9. Neutral diplomacy
  10. New diplomacy
  11. Omnilateral diplomacy
  12. Parliamentary diplomacy
  13. Personal diplomacy
  14. Polylateral diplomacy
  15. State diplomacy
  16. Strategic diplomacy
  17. Sub-state diplomacy
  18. Summit diplomacy
  19. Superpower diplomacy
History and evolution of diplomacy
  1. Amarna diplomacy
  2. Ancient diplomacy
  3. Asian diplomacy
  4. Byzantine diplomacy
  5. Clausewitzian diplomacy
  6. Cold War diplomacy
  7. Cuneiform diplomacy
  8. Dubrovnik diplomacy
  9. Kautilya diplomacy
  10. Mediaeval diplomacy
  11. Old diplomacy
  12. Ottoman diplomacy
  13. Proto diplomacy
  14. Renaissance diplomacy
  15. Venetian diplomacy
Conduct of diplomacy: Negotiation, tactics, and protocol
  1. Ad hoc diplomacy
  2. Anticipatory diplomacy
  3. Backchannel diplomacy
  4. Band-Aid diplomacy
  5. Big Stick diplomacy
  6. Blended diplomacy
  7. Boudoir diplomacy
  8. Cocktail party diplomacy
  9. Corridor diplomacy
  10. Cowboy diplomacy
  11. Crisis diplomacy
  12. Direct dial diplomacy
  13. Everyday diplomacy
  14. Exchange diplomacy
  15. Face-to-face diplomacy
  16. Funeral diplomacy
  17. Gaffe diplomacy
  18. Gift diplomacy
  19. Grassroot diplomacy
  20. Hybrid diplomacy
  21. Independent diplomacy
  22. Informal diplomacy
  23. Knowledge diplomacy
  24. Mega diplomacy
  25. Minilateral diplomacy
  26. Multi-track diplomacy
  27. Multistakeholder diplomacy
  28. Napkin diplomacy
  29. Open diplomacy
  30. Paradiplomacy
  31. Parallel diplomacy
  32. Peace diplomacy
  33. Plurilateral diplomacy
  34. Positive diplomacy
  35. Preventive diplomacy
  36. Proactive diplomacy
  37. Propaganda diplomacy
  38. Protocol diplomacy
  39. Proxy diplomacy
  40. Pseudo diplomacy
  41. Pull-side diplomacy
  42. Quiet diplomacy
  43. Real-time diplomacy
  44. Rowing diplomacy
  45. Sherpa diplomacy
  46. Shuttle diplomacy
  47. Track-Two diplomacy
  48. Transnational diplomacy
  49. Triangular diplomacy
  50. Twin-track diplomacy
Foods and beverage
  1. Caviar diplomacy
  2. Cigar diplomacy
  3. Coctail party diplomacy
  4. Coffee diplomacy
  5. Culinary diplomacy
  6. Food diplomacy
  7. Gastronomic diplomacy
  8. Mango diplomacy
  9. Pizza diplomacy
  10. Tea diplomacy
Animals and nature
  1. Animal diplomacy
  2. Bamboo diplomacy
  3. Camel diplomacy
  4. Cotton diplomacy
  5. Dog diplomacy
  6. Falcons diplomacy
  7. Inyambo diplomacy
  8. Lions diplomacy
  9. Panda diplomacy
  10. Salmon diplomacy
Culture and arts
  1. Academic diplomacy
  2. Art diplomacy
  3. Cultural diplomacy
  4. Education diplomacy
  5. Exhibition diplomacy
  6. Expo diplomacy
  7. Fado diplomacy
  8. Feminist diplomacy
  9. Gender diplomacy
  10. Intercultural diplomacy
  11. Language diplomacy
  12. Music diplomacy
  13. Rug diplomacy
Technology and communication
  1. AI diplomacy
  2. Algorithmic diplomacy
  3. Blog diplomacy
  4. Blockchain diplomacy
  5. Cable diplomacy
  6. Chip diplomacy
  7. Citizen diplomacy
  8. Crypto diplomacy
  9. Cyber diplomacy
  10. Digital diplomacy
  11. E-diplomacy
  12. Facebook diplomacy
  13. ICT diplomacy
  14. Innovation diplomacy
  15. Instagram diplomacy
  16. Internet diplomacy
  17. Megaphone diplomacy
  18. Metaverse diplomacy
  19. Online diplomacy
  20. Public diplomacy
  21. Quantum diplomacy
  22. Semiconductor diplomacy
  23. Selfie diplomacy
  24. Sound diplomacy
  25. Tech diplomacy
  26. Telegraph diplomacy
  27. Telephone diplomacy
  28. TikTok diplomacy
  29. Twitter diplomacy
  30. Virtual diplomacy
  31. Web diplomacy
  32. Wolf Warrior diplomacy
  33. Zoom diplomacy
Countries and regions
  1. Antarctic diplomacy
  2. Arctic diplomacy
  3. China diplomacy
  4. City diplomacy
  5. EU diplomacy
  6. Gulf diplomacy
  7. Middle East diplomacy
  8. Regional diplomacy
  9. Roma diplomacy
  10. US diplomacy
Environment and sustainability
  1. Astronomic diplomacy
  2. Biodiversity diplomacy
  3. Carbon diplomacy
  4. Climate diplomacy
  5. Development diplomacy
  6. Earth diplomacy
  7. Earthquake diplomacy
  8. Energy diplomacy
  9. Environmental diplomacy
  10. Fusion diplomacy
  11. Grain diplomacy
  12. Lunar diplomacy
  13. Moon diplomacy
  14. Ocean diplomacy
  15. Ozone diplomacy
  16. Raw material diplomacy
  17. Sand diplomacy
  18. Satellite diplomacy
  19. Science diplomacy
  20. SDGs diplomacy
  21. Space diplomacy
  22. Water diplomacy
Humanitarian and health
  1. Aid diplomacy
  2. Covid diplomacy
  3. Diaspora diplomacy
  4. Disaster diplomacy
  5. Gumboot diplomacy
  6. Health diplomacy
  7. Humanitarian diplomacy
  8. Pandemic diplomacy
  9. Vaccine diplomacy
Economy and resources
  1. Carpet diplomacy
  2. Chequebook diplomacy
  3. Commercial diplomacy
  4. Cut-price diplomacy
  5. Debt-trap diplomacy
  6. Dollar diplomacy
  7. Financial diplomacy
  8. Investment diplomacy
  9. Maritime diplomacy
  10. Oil diplomacy
  11. Railways diplomacy
  12. Trade diplomacy
Religion and faith
  1. Interfaith diplomacy
  2. Missionary diplomacy
  3. Papal diplomacy
  4. Religious diplomacy
  5. Vatican diplomacy
Security and power
  1. Atomic diplomacy
  2. Bombing diplomacy
  3. Coercive diplomacy
  4. Disarmament diplomacy
  5. Guerilla diplomacy
  6. Gunboat diplomacy
  7. Hard diplomacy
  8. Hedgehog diplomacy
  9. Hostage diplomacy
  10. Intelligence diplomacy
  11. Military diplomacy
  12. Nuclear diplomacy
  13. Secret diplomacy
  14. Silent diplomacy
  15. Soft power diplomacy
  16. Toothless diplomacy
  17. War diplomacy
Sports and wellbeing
  1. Baseball diplomacy
  2. Golf diplomacy
  3. Olympic diplomacy
  4. Sauna diplomacy
  5. Sherpa diplomacy
  6. Sports diplomacy
  7. Wellness diplomacy
  8. Wrestling diplomacy
  9. Yoga diplomacy
Human rights and identity
  1. Celebrity diplomacy
  2. Citizenship diplomacy
  3. Civil diplomacy
  4. Cricket diplomacy
  5. Gender diplomacy
  6. Feminist diplomacy
  7. Human rights diplomacy
  8. Mob diplomacy
  9. NGO diplomacy
  10. People-to-People diplomacy
  11. Youth diplomacy

Diplomacy around us

As I explored new uses of the term ‘diplomacy,’ one paradox became apparent: the more diplomacy becomes fashionable as a brand in everyday and public discourse, the less relevant it is in its core function of resolving conflicts in a polarized modern society. Like with money, the inflation of the term ‘diplomacy’ has diminished its value in a world where military logic and power often prevail.

You can see this trend in your towns—hotels named ‘Diplomat,’ ‘Ambassador,’ or ‘Consul’ abound, yet it is rare to find a street named after a famous diplomat or negotiator. Even historical figures like Metternich and Richelieu are relegated to side streets in Vienna and Paris. This may reflect the nature of what diplomats do: broker compromises—acts of subtle bravery that lack the drama of military victories.

The courage of compromise

Compromise, the key tool of diplomacy, requires courage. It means persuading one’s own people to respect the interests of ‘others’—a deeply unpopular stance in the simplistic narratives of national glory that dominate official histories.

In my forthcoming work, I explore how this form of bravery is largely unrecognised and how societies might benefit from redefining what it means to be brave and a hero. Diplomacy—the art of compromise—is not just about negotiations; it’s about building a society that respects others enough to seek inclusive solutions.

A call for re-evaluating diplomacy

My exploration began with the inflated use of tech-related diplomacy terms but led me to question the value of diplomacy itself. What can be done?

First, we must clarify what we mean when we use the term ‘diplomacy.’ For example, is ‘digital diplomacy’ the use of TikTok or the web for public diplomacy and propaganda, or is it an umbrella term for the impact of digitalisation on diplomacy? While we are not seeking a single, definitive definition, at Diplo, we use ‘digital diplomacy’ to describe the influence of digitalisation on the political and power environment in which diplomats operate, the emergence of new AI and digital topics that diplomats must negotiate, and the use of new tech tools in their daily work. We also strive for clarity of meaning in other uses of the term ‘diplomacy.’

Second, as we discuss terminology, we should delve deeper into the public perception and value of diplomacy and compromise as essential societal tools for resolving conflicts within and between nations.

I look forward to hearing your views and suggestions!


cross-circle