Depending on its use, the term diplomacy has different meanings, It can be characterized as "a set of processes and structures, bilateral and multilateral related to communication, negotiation and information sharing between sovereign states".[1] Traditional diplomatic practice was primarily organized on a bilateral basis and performed with rules and procedures for the conduct of diplomatic systems in the 15th-century.   Therefore diplomacy became not only regular, but a regulated process. Commonly agreed rules and conventions (diplomatic protocol) were developed, including ceremonies and practical procedures to be followed by the countries themselves. Traditional diplomacy can also be characterized by its agenda, which is associated with the close security of states. In the nineteenth century in Europe, traditional diplomacy was very successful in promoting peace, stability and order.   However the outbreak of World War One led to the urgent need for a new form of diplomacy. The most important characteristic of this new form of diplomacy is that states are no longer the only players. They have to share the international stage with other actors that are also engaged in the diplomatic process. Obviously, the diplomats of antiquity, the Middle Ages, or the eighteenth century, did not behave in the same way, nor were their functions as complex, as diplomats today. This is the result of a change in social habits and lifestyles.  Secondly there is a greater complexity of the existing relations between modern states today. The new state’s interests and increasing non-state actors have altered the character of the new diplomacy, where it has become more as a process of negotiation. States continue to negotiate with one another bilaterally, however, groups of states usually negotiate multilaterally under the umbrellas of intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations increasingly affect interstate behaviour. The agenda of the new diplomacy includes a number of new issues. Avoiding war is a priority, however, diplomatic activity began to be more focused on economic, social and humanitarian concerns. In turn, preventive diplomacy unified ambition and ideas of the contemporary international society to preserve world peace and security. With the new diplomacy countries are no longer the only players. In preventive diplomacy international organizations are engaged (governmental and non-governmental), as well as regional ones and unofficial intermediaries. Its agenda is concentrated on acquiring and retaining the escalation of complex political disputes that arise between or within nations. Additionally, when there is a small threat to the peace and security, traditional diplomacy continues, and this requires the international community to take urgent and concrete efforts for prevention of conflict. Conceptual meaning of the definition given by Boutros Boutros-Ghali’s (Secretary-General of the United Nations, January 1992 - December 1996) report "Agenda for Peace" (1992) reveals preventive diplomacy as an action that helps to prevent the occurrence of disputes, and acts to prevent the escalation of existing disputes in the conflict.  Furthermore, such action limits the spread of conflicts when they occur.[2] The last two decades seem to have brought a whole new dynamic to international relations. The phenomenon of globalization is one of the main features of the modern world and, consequently, is a major factor in the prevention of threats to peace and security.[3][Lv1]   Preventive diplomacy, with its ability to adjust to individual circumstances of each threat, adapts to political, military and economic changes of globalization.[4] The tendency towards economic globalization and the growing complexity of international relations, determines the structural and cooperative relations between global, regional and national associations. The regional idea is often based on territorial structures, through which people build their understanding of the world ("West", "East", "Europe", "Asia", "North" or "South").  This idea involves states uniting in an unambiguous manner. Yet, the reality is different - regions disappear and reappear as they are converted from various economic, political, and cultural factors (Levis and Wigen 1997). Many authors define "region" only using physical, political or economic criteria (Edward Mansfield and Helen Milner (1997)) that emphasize the geographical proximity and distinctive cities as key features of a region. Furthermore, following the changes in international relations and the growing interdependence between countries in the system of globalization, pushes for a new form of regionalism have arisen to overcome these difficulties..[5] Now the region and its separation could be realized, not only as a geographical entity, but also a social system with organized cooperation in a particular area (security, economy, culture), as well as an operating entity with its own identity.[6] This new regionalism is a more comprehensive and multidimensional process. Along with trade and economic development, this new form of regionalism covers issues concerning the environment, social issues, and not least security issues. Thus, regionalism is part of a structural transformation, in which non-state actors are also active and working at several levels in the global system.[7] The meaning of the new regionalism is defined by the international goal to prevent war between neighbouring countries, and above all to promote peace among its members. Such regional institutions were developed specifically for this purpose, acting as a promise that war between countries would be unthinkable by linking economies so tightly, that they could not see profit from war with each other. But peace among members is just one of the security features of regional organizations, as they are also designed to provide certain external security. Being militarily weak as a separate country is remedied by grouping its economic and demographic resources, whic allows them greater sufficient flexibility and independence in their foreign policies.[8][Lv2]  In the creation of regional organizations we see the attempt to find an answer to  local disputes. They aim to prevent or protect deepening controversial issues and also to prevent interference from outside influences in the internal relations of each State. In this we can find for example, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was designed to prevent any external parties’ control. It is created with preventive functions to settle disputes and conflicts between its members only through peaceful means - negotiation, mediation, conciliation or arbitration.[9] The regional success of the African Union is found in the reduced number of interstate wars and in the rapid and adequate response to the peace negotiations in connection with the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.[10]

The revival of interest in regionalism and regional projects can be seen in the global perspective. The fact is that they have emerged in different parts of the world and their number, scope, and diversity have increased significantly. Even the United Nations shares some regional tasks that carry out preventive actions (transfers or give subcontracts), and which resolve contentious issues. It is about delegating responsibilities on agreements and bodies suitable for regional action in defence of international peace and security. At the request, or with the authorization of the Security Council, actions to maintain or to protect international peace and security can be performed by bodies or alliances of countries with territorial proximity to the place of crisis.  Nevertheless, they perform actions that have a regional nature. The provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the UN are intended to include regional responsibilities within the overall framework of the "primary responsibility". In addition, the provisions of Chapter VIII connect the activities and responsibilities of regional agreements and structures with the functions and activities of the global system of collective security.[11] Thus, for the purposes of Chapter VII, defining the term "region" or "regional agency" must be considered, as well regional arrangements and organizations grouped in continual character in a given geographical area. Due to their proximity, common interests or cultural, linguistic, historical or spiritual affinities, several countries are jointly responsible for the peaceful settlement of any disputes that may arise.[12]

Conclusion

The development of modern life has changed preventive diplomacy in a way that allows it to meet the new challenges to international peace and security. The new form of regionalism has adapted to the current need for cooperation an is now a more comprehensive and multidimensional process. In the context of globalization, it stands out as an essential condition for reviving the existence of preventive diplomacy. It is, in fact, is a key factor for achieving lasting peace, stability and security in a globalized world. The need to achieve regional security presupposes the use of the regional structures with functions and activities of a global system of collective security.

Tanya Deykova is a Ph.D. candidate at New Bulgarian University, Political Science Department, Sofia

[1] Brian Hocking. Jan Melissen. Shaun Riordan. Paul Sharp. „Futures of diplomacy: Integrative Diplomacy in the 21st Century“. Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’, 2012. p. 17 http://www.lse.ac.uk/internationalRelations/dinamfellow/conf2012/HOCKING-Futures-of-Diplomacy.pdf

[2] „An Agenda for Peace“, A/47/277 - S/24111, June 1992

[3]   Leal, Natália F M O, The Impact of Globalization on Peaceful Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: A Short Study on the Degree of Formalism (June 1, 2005). IACM 18th Annual Conference.

[4] Wilfried Bolewski. Diplomacy and International Law in Globalized Relations. Springer. 2007. p.146

[5] Carlos J. Moreiro-Ganzalez, “Governing Globalisation: The answer of Regionalism,” European Commission

[6] Globalism and Regionalism,” United Nations University Press.

[7] ibid

[8] Bruce Russett, Yale University, USA. GLOBAL OR REGIONAL: WHAT CAN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS DO?

[9] Article 3 of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity

[10] Samuel M. Makinda and F. Wafula Okumu, The African Union. Abingdon: Routledge, 2008.

[11] Stefanov, George. "Theory of international security." Sofia. 2008. p.232-3

[12] Graham, Kennedy and  Felicio, Tania. „Regional Security and Global Governance: A Study of Interaction Between Regional Agencies and the UN Security Council, With a Proposal for a ... Mechanism (Institute for European Studies)“. VUB University Press. 2008. p.87