The Language Diplomats Speak: A Discourse-theoretical Approach to the Negotiations in the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly. EU Diplomacy Paper 05/2016

Jacobs, Thomas (2016) The Language Diplomats Speak: A Discourse-theoretical Approach to the Negotiations in the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly. EU Diplomacy Paper 05/2016. [Working Paper]

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Abstract

Although it is widely accepted that the study of diplomatic negotiations ought to be a multi-disciplinary enterprise, the field’s state of the art does not reflect this need for diversity. Game-theoretical and socio-psychological analyses make up the lion’s share of the research. In contrast, interactions between negotiators, perhaps the most elementary building blocks of negotiations, have received relatively little scholarly attention. This paper inquires how matters of language, communication and discourse can be brought to the front in the study of diplomatic negotiations. It will address this question on a theoretical level, by asking what theoretical preconditions to a discursive and language-based approach to diplomatic negotiations exist, and on an empirical level, by developing a relevant case study demonstrating the potential of this approach. With regards to the first question, it will be argued that Discourse Theory is well-suited to overcome the obstacles that have prevented a focus on communication from taking root so far. The case study will be drawn from the European Neighbourhood Policy and look at the discursive conceptualization of institutional relations, bureaucratic infrastructure and socialization efforts in the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly.

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