Diplomacy and globalization : theorizing, cases and synergies

Being a career diplomat, first of the former Yugoslavia (1987-1991) and then of the newly independent Slovenia, he draws from his rich diplomatic experiences as well as from his innovative academic
contribution to diplomatic studies. He published more than 70 books in fifteen languages, among them twenty on diplomacy, and several books of poetry as well as more than 140 articles on diplomacy and related topics.

He was Ambassador of Slovenia to Turkey (2010-2015 – accredited also to Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Syria) as well as to North Macedonia (2016-2020). He is a member of the Slovene PEN and holds Austrian state decoration the grand golden decoration of honour with the star for the merit of the Republic of Austria.

This unique monograph, which is a selection of his papers from the period 2006-2022, discusses the interaction between diplomacy and globalization that has emerged with the end of the previous century. Immense structural changes of the international community and by far not less dramatic advancement of media and transport technology produced a stream of transformation that three decades later resulted in the change of the paradigm.

From the Foreword:

The author’s personal history can also be read as an ongoing struggle to maintain agency within given historical conditions. By simultaneously pursuing academic and diplomatic careers, he continues to maintain personal agency. This strategy did not only serve him very well, but it equally well enabled him to serve Slovenian students, the Slovene state, and the wider region. Not only did he become the first Slovenian academic and diplomat, but he is well recognized regionally. His academic works were translated into many languages, including those spoken in the successor states of the former Yugoslavia. On the other hand, his work as a diplomat was recognized in 2019 in Sarajevo when he received the Award for the Best Ambassador in Southeast Europe. This is an exemplary personal history which does not surprise me in the least. I have known the author since the late 1980s and still remember one of our conversations during which he recommended: Keep as many paths open as you can because you never know which one will close in the future. – Edislav Manetovic, PhD, Associate Professor of International Relations, State University of New York at Old Westbury, USA

From the Review:

This book is a compilation of works expressed and shaped by the diplomatic point of view that spreads towards the events and protagonists, moving confidently through the symbolism and representation, pointing towards the lessons that can be learned. It contributes to the social sciences in general but in particular to the not so much explored field of the sociology of diplomacy as an effort to theorize and understand diplomacy within the sociological context. In that frame, the author is focusing on the social context, development, and operation of diplomacy and contributes greatly to the development of this aspect of diplomacy. In that sense, he generalizes the findings and articulates them into a new understanding. The findings are put systematically and structurally, and that makes the book useful learning curricula for graduate and postgraduate students, or anyone who wants to get inside of diplomacy, international law, and international relations. – Natalija Shikova, PhD, Associate Professor of International Law, Faculty of Law, International Balkan University, Skopje, North Macedonia

The author pays special attention to globalization and the challenges that modern diplomacy is facing today, listing, according to him, five aspects such as: Changes in the way diplomats operate; New topics on diplomatic agenda; Changes in the way of representation; The changing nature of the functions of diplomatic mission; and The enhanced importance of influencing in diplomatic work. In this regard, he theorizes about the challenges of small countries and their positioning in the existing chaotic international world. The example given of Slovenia as a newly formed state and the success of its diplomacy, in a very short period of time, is the antithesis of certain claims about the limited capabilities of small countries.

Jazbec’s take on the challenges of the modern world are unfortunately being confirmed. Contrary to the desired peace and progress, the long existing peace in Europe is been shaken by recent events in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine managed to make the international world order even more precarious. The last segment of the book is dedicated to “Diplomacy and Literature”, which deals with six well-known literary works whose plot and main characters contain important elements of the diplomatic profession. Here, too, Jazbec masterfully presents his poetic-writing talent, an erudite in the ranks of Slovenian diplomacy, where he spent all of his professional carrier. – Dancho Markovski, PhD, Assistant Professor of International Relations and Diplomacy, University American College, Skopje, North Macedonia, and Ambassador of North Macedonia to Albania

Back cover page citations:

The author’s personal history can also be read as an ongoing struggle to maintain agency within given historical conditions. By simultaneously pursuing academic and diplomatic careers, he continues to maintain personal agency. This strategy did not only serve him very well, but it equally well enabled him to serve Slovenian students, the Slovene state, and the wider region. – Edislav Manetovic

Diplomacy and Globalisation shows the reader the undeniable intertwinement of globalisation and diplomacy and their co-dependence. On one hand, diplomacy is certainly one of the strongest pillars of the world community, on the other hand, however, it is also one of the most flexible ones with a feature of an incredibly fast adaptability to the ever-changing relations within the global society. – Eva Jerman

This book is a compilation of works expressed and shaped by the diplomatic point of view that spreads towards the events and protagonists, moving confidently through the symbolism and representation, pointing towards the lessons that can be learned. It contributes to the social sciences in general but in particular to the not so much explored field of the sociology of diplomacy as an effort to theorize and understand diplomacy within the sociological context. – Natalija Shikova

At the end, a few words in regard of the last segment of the book Diplomacy and Globalization: Theorizing, Cases and Synergies dedicated to “Diplomacy and Literature”, which deals with six well-known literary works whose plot and main characters contain important elements of the diplomatic profession. Here, too, Jazbec masterfully presents his poetic-writing talent, an erudite in the ranks of Slovenian diplomacy, where he spent all of his professional carrier. – Dancho Markovski