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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict |
Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA |
Coercive diplomacy is the diplomacy of threats. Rather than relying on negotiation, diplomats will sometimes threaten adverse consequences if a demand is not met. Sometimes this works; at other times, it does not. Factors that influence the success of coercive diplomacy are similar to the factors that influence the success of other types of threats: the threat must be credible, the adverse consequence must be severe enough that the potential recipient really wants to avoid that outcome, and the demand must be clear and possible to meet. Even when these factors are present however, coercive diplomacy is risky. As with other threats, it tends further damage relationships and lead to a potential backlash against the threat and/or the threatening country later on. Backlash can, at times, be limited if the threat is combined with more integrative or exchange-based approaches. If rewards for compliance are offered in addition to the threat for non-compliance, the chances of success may be greater; also if the threat is seen to be legitimate, the chances of success may also rise.
We have a number of articles on coercive diplomacy, all drawn from Alexander George's book on the topic. These include:
This is a summary of a book on coercive diplomacy. George explains the concept, discusses what variations there are in its use and what seems to determine its effectiveness.
This summary, also from George, examines how the U.S. has determined when to use coercive diplomacy and when not to.
This is a short summary of the U.S.'s attempt to use coercive diplomacy against Japan which George sees as contributing to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought the U.S. into World War II.
Step-by-Step Application of Force with Negotiation Loop-backs
Identify Sources of Power / Power Strategy Mix
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