Abstract
This chapter examines the role that rituals play in diplomatic relations. To do so, it builds upon a formal, that is non-substantial, definition of rituals. I argue that the study of rituals brings two benefits in its wake. First, it enables us to rediscover the importance of micro-interactions (not only relations) in the development and maintenance of a diplomatic order. Second, it shows how a focus on “situations” links diplomatic time and space. We illustrate this argument by briefly examining the structuring effect of iconic handshakes. This work is set within the broader context of diplomatic protocols. By drawing on recent advances in neurosciences, our analysis provides a foil for a novel approach to ritual, one which has the potential to advance our understanding of both its meaning and efficacy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Burke, Peter, “La reconstruction des rituels politiques au siècle de Louis XIV,” in Yves Deloye, Claudine Haroche, Olivier Ihl (eds.), Le Protocole ou la mise en forme de l’ordre politique, Paris, L’Harmattan, 1999, pp. 171–183.
Certeau, Michel de, L’Invention du quotidien, vol. I, Arts et faire, Paris, Gallimard, 1980.
Chambon, Albert, Mais que font ces diplomates entre deux cocktails? Paris, Pédone, 1983.
Collins, Randall, Interaction Ritual Chain, Princeton (NJ), Princeton University Press, 2005.
Deloye, Yves, Haroche, Claudine, Ihl, Olivier (eds.), Le Protocole ou la mise en forme de l’ordre politique, Paris, L’Harmattan, 1999.
Dolcos, Sanda, “The Power of a Handshake: Neural Correlates of Evaluative Judgments in Observed Social Interactions,” Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 24 (12), 2012: 2292–2305.
Durkeim, Émile, Les Formes élémentaires de la vie religieuse. Le système totémique en Australie, Paris, Presses universitaires de France, 1912.
Elias, Norbert, La Société de cour, Paris, Calmann-Lévy, 1974.
Geertz, Clifford, Savoir Local, Savoir Global, Paris, Presses universitaires de France, 1986.
Gluckman, Max, “Les rites de passage,” in Max Gluckman (ed.), Essays on the Rituals of Social Relations, Manchester, Manchester University Press, 1966.
Goffman, Erving, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, London, Penguin, 1959.
———, Interaction Ritual: Essays into Face-To-Face Behavior, Chicago, Aldine Publishing Company, 1967.
———, Strategic Interaction, Philadelphia (PA), University of Pennsylvania Press, 1969.
———, Les Rites d’interaction, Paris, Minuit, 1974.
Haroche, Claudine, “L’ordre dans les corps: gestes, mouvements, postures. Éléments pour une anthropologie politique des préséances (XVIe-XVIIe siècles),” in Yves Deloye, Claudine Haroche, Olivier Ihl (ed.), Le Protocole ou la mise en forme de l’ordre politique, Paris, L’Harmattan, 1999, pp. 213–229.
Harrison, Jane, Ancient Art and Ritual, London, Williams and Northgate, 1913.
Keck, Frédéric, “Goffman, Durkheim et les rites de la vie quotidienne,” Archives de philosophie, 75 (3), 2012: 471–492.
Lomenie, L.H. de, Brienne, Comte de, Mémoires, vol. I, Paris, 1919.
Mauss, Marcel, Essai sur le don. Forme et raison de l’échange dans les sociétés archaïques, Paris, Presses universitaires de France, 2007.
Post, Emily, Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage, New York (NY), Funk & Wagnall, 1940.
Rappaport, Roy, Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1999.
Roosen, William, “Early Modern Diplomatic Ceremonial: A System Approach,” The Journal of Modern History, 52 (3), 1980: 452–476.
Schiffrin, Deborah, “Handwork as Ceremony: The Case of the Handshake,” Semiotica, 12 (3), 1998: 189–202.
Serres, Jean, Manuel politique du protocole, Paris, Éditions de la Bièvre, 1992.
Stollberg-Rilinger, Barbara, “Zeremoniell, Ritual, Symbol. Neue Forschungen zur Symbolischen Kommunikation in Spätmittelalter und Früher Neuzeit ,” ZHF, 27, 2000: 389–405.
Stollberg-Rilinger, Barbara, Althoff, Gerd, Goetzmann, Jutta, Puhle, Matthias (Hrsg.), Spektakel der Macht. Rituale im Alten Europa (800–1800), Katalog und Essayband zur Ausstellung des Kulturhistorischen Museums, Magdeburg, Darmstadt, 2008.
Tambiah, Stanley J., “A Performative Approach to Ritual,” Proceedings of the British Academy, 65, 1979: 113–169.
Wiquefort, Abraham de, L’Ambassadeur, La Haye, Jean & Daniel Steucker, 1680–1681.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Balzacq, T. (2020). Rituals and Diplomacy. In: Balzacq, T., Charillon, F., Ramel, F. (eds) Global Diplomacy. The Sciences Po Series in International Relations and Political Economy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28786-3_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28786-3_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-28785-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-28786-3
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)