Diplomacy and State in Early Modern Times

Abstract

During the transition period towards the Modern Times, the relationship between the evolving pre-modern States started to expand. Sporadic and specific diplomatic representations became permanent and general. Italy, during the Renaissance, gave important incentives towards the development of modern diplomacy, later followed by other important monarchies and dynasties. Each State and their diplomats pursued a specific position within the system of European States, which was in formation at the time. The Congress of Westphalia contributed a lot to the establishment and adjustment of the fragile system of European States, based on the principles of equity and sovereignty, but also on difference and hierarchy. Grounded upon a current and specific bibliography, this article investigates the formation period of modern diplomacy in the context of the transformations of the Early Modern Times.