What is the Difference Between Foreign Policy and Diplomacy?

The main difference between foreign policy and diplomacy lies in their definitions and functions.

• Foreign Policy: This refers to the stance a country adopts and the strategies it employs to promote its national interests in the world. Foreign policy establishes goals, prescribes strategies, and sets the broad tactics to be used in their accomplishment. It is the substance of foreign relations and involves the pursuit of a country's national interests through various means, including diplomacy.
• Diplomacy: This is the process by which foreign policy is executed. Diplomacy involves the peaceful conduct of international relations, typically through representatives of countries, international organizations, and other international actors. It is the method used by countries to achieve their national interests in the international arena, and it serves as the vessel that executes foreign policy. Diplomacy is considered the principal substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft.

In summary, foreign policy is the strategic plan a country uses to interact with other countries, while diplomacy is the skill used by a country to come into agreement with other countries. Diplomacy is an instrument of foreign policy, and together they form the backbone of a country's international relations.

Comparative Table: Foreign Policy vs Diplomacy

The difference between foreign policy and diplomacy can be summarized as follows:

In summary, foreign policy is the overall strategy that guides a country's actions in the international arena, while diplomacy is the tool that governments use to manage their international relations through communication and negotiation. Diplomacy is a key component of foreign policy, but it is not the only instrument used to achieve a country's objectives.