Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-221) and index.

Machine generated contents note: Preface to the First Edition -- Preface to the Second [printed] Edition -- Online Updating -- List of Abbreviations -- Introduction -- 1 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs -- The origins and growth of the MFA -- Staffing and supporting missions abroad -- Policy advice and implementation -- Policy coordination -- Dealing with foreign diplomats at home -- Public diplomacy -- Building support at home -- Summary -- Notes -- Further reading -- Part I The Art of Negotiation -- Introduction to Part I -- 2 Prenegotiations -- Agreeing the need to negotiate -- Agreeing the agenda -- Agreeing procedure -- Summary -- Notes -- Further reading -- 3 'Around-the-Table' Negotiations -- The formula stage -- The details stage -- Summary -- Notes -- Further reading -- 4 Diplomatic Momentum -- Deadlines -- Metaphors of movement -- Publicity -- Raising the level of the talks -- Summary -- Notes -- Further reading -- 5 Packaging Agreements -- International legal obligations at a premium -- Signalling importance at a premium -- Convenience at a premium -- Saving face at a premium -- Summary -- Notes -- Further reading -- Part II The Modes of Diplomacy -- Introduction to Part II -- 6 Telecommunications -- Crisis diplomacy -- Routine diplomacy -- The limitations of telecommunications -- Summary -- Notes -- Further reading -- 7 Bilateral Diplomacy: Conventional -- The French system of diplomacy -- The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 -- The resident mission and the case for euthanasia -- Representation -- Promoting friendly relations -- Negotiation -- Lobbying -- Clarifying intentions -- Information gathering/political reporting -- Policy advice -- Consular services 123 -- Commercial diplomacy 124 -- Propaganda 125 -- The versatility of the embassy 127 -- Summary 128 -- Notes 128 -- Further reading 130 -- 8 Bilateral Diplomacy: Unconventional 132 -- Interests sections 133 -- Consular posts and sections 138 -- Representative offices 140 -- Front missions 141 -- Summary 142 -- Notes 142 -- Further reading 144 -- 9 Multilateral Diplomacy 146 -- The origins of multilateral diplomacy 146 -- International organizations 151 -- Questions of procedure 153 -- Summary 164 -- Notes 165 -- Further reading 166 -- 10 Summitry 168 -- The origins of summitry 168 -- Professional anathemas 169 -- Case for the defence 173 -- Summary 184 -- Notes 184 -- Further reading 185 -- 11 Mediation 187 -- The nature of mediation 187 -- Different mediators and different motives 190 -- The ideal mediator 196 -- The ripe moment and whether there is such a thing -- as a premature mediation 200 -- The drawbacks of mediation and the lure of direct talks 201 -- Summary 202 -- Notes 203 -- Further reading 205 -- Conclusion 207 -- References 211 -- Index 222.