Diplomacy

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Today I’d like for you to tell me what conditions you think encourage diplomacy and which conditions make it difficult.

For your homework, please pick one of each condition and explain further. Use true scenarios or if you cannot think of one that fits, make one up. Papers should be two pages, typed.

Comments

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

What makes diplomacy difficult? Trying to talk to a race that wants to eat you. And I don't mean in 'bite me' sense. I mean eat you. Suck your life right out of your chest.

Do you ever try to negotiate with the cow before making hamburgers? Or an ear of corn? (Want to see the situation from the corn's perspective? http://www.musicoutfitter.com/store/item/753701001929/alonelygrainofcorn.html - click on "Lonely Grain of Corn")

Anyway, you don't debate with your meals. It's lunch, you win.

Now imagine being the cow or the corn. There's just not a lot of wiggle room. "I want to eat you." "Let's compromise... you can take 20 years off my life." No, that's just not going to fly. You have to compromise and there's just not much to give to a race who wants to make a snack of you and your friends.

Diplomacy works better when you can get to know the other side. Have tea, talk about ferris wheels, find out what else you have in common and build on that.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Diplomacy is difficult when the person you are talking to is insane. Or if there is a culture clash. Or if they think you're a guy and are lusting after the same guy as you are.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Ms. Padme,

I'm a spacer-brat. I've been handling high-level trade negotiations (and wearing entirely inappropriate clothes) for four or five years now. I don't have room in my schedule to take your classes, but I'd like to hone my negotiation skills.

Would you be willing to undertake an Independent Study with me, like the one you're doing with Cameron Mitchell? Or perhaps he and I could work together to save you the effort? If it's all right with you, I could speak to him about it.

Respectfully,

Beka Valentine

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

Oh, forcryin'outloud! Would the two of you just get a room already???

And not the classroom, 'cause, you know...

Yo, Prof, not to be undiplomatic or anything, but I think she's just trying to stalk weasel more time with Cam in a low body-count setting. In fact, she'd probably be just fine if you couldn't make it. Sheesh!

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

*stalks after WraithBait with weapons drawn and hot*

And this would be your concern because?

Answer carefully. I am not the only heavily-USTed Alpha-fem in this school. You don't want me for your enemy.

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

Heeeeyyy, flyboy! Be nice to Beka. She's having a hard time of it.

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

I would like to encourage diplomacy when the people you're dealing with can still work on levels of logic and are still sentient enough to converse and debate matters with you. If they're shooting first and asking questions after... be glad that you have Kara as a sniper behind you. Otherwise, be sure to know your enemy's logic enough to twist it to your benefit.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Conditions that encourage diplomacy is where both parties have mutual respect for each other's right to life and right to an opinion. This is the basis of our American democracy.

When both groups believe that there is something to be gained from a relationship, then there's a lot more scope and freedom for diplomatic relations.

We once met a group of people (http://www.gateworld.net/sg1/s5/521.shtml) who weren't as technologically advanced as us, but who had some radioactive element that we wanted. They wanted a bit more tech, we wanted the material. It probably would have worked out if they hadn't been about to blow us to kingdom come before one of my friends saved them.

Conditions that make it difficult are when people get angry (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomhigh/80024.html?thread=2672792#t2672792) and too involved in their own ego opinion.

Or when the group you're trying to establish relations with doesn't think you're good for anything except sticking a snake in your head being enslaved.

At that point, we probably have to go to Advanced Negotiations. There's war, bodies, hurt feelings. It's not pretty.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

*smiles* Thank you

*gives her extra credit for being on of the few civil/sane people present*

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

*smirks*

Thank you, ma'am. I think I'm going to like Diplomacy.

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

[OOC: Mun has to run, but feel free to continue, I'll get back to you when I get back. I'm having a blast with this. :)]

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

*walks in and notices the riot that apparently is caused over him*

*blinks*

Ma'am, can I be excused from this class for today? I'll put todays assignment into my paper?

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

*sends text message to Professor Sidle begging to go out for a drink after classes*

I'll allow it if you feel uncomfortable.

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

*nods* Thank you, ma'am. I'll make it up with the homework.

Needs to go quietly freak out in his room.

[(Anonymous)]

*sees Cameron*

*blinks*

Ma'am, what I just said about joining class? I'd like to. And here's my assignment. But I think...

I may have to do some personal diplomacy. Fortunately, Cameron and I understand each other pretty well despite the stammering and blushing. We trust each other, so that should encourage honest sharing of what's wanted and needed to resolve the problem.

On the other hand, if this continues, I will have a hard time being diplomatic with Sheppard. He seems to feel as though he has a right to take and use whatever information he finds in whatever manner he wishes. And while, as a trader's brat, I know the value of information, and won't hesitate to use what I know to gain an advantage, I believe there are lines you don't cross. For example, personal life may be alluded to. But except in cases of life or death to large numbers of people, it should not be exposed to the public at large. Therefore, since Sheppard and I have differing value systems and no respect for each other, diplomacy will be difficult.

If I could be excused please?

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

((OOC: Sorry, got logged out. That's Beka's homework))

[can_be_more]

Diplomacy is encouraged when both sides are actually willing to come to an agreement, or if one side is willing to compromise at least a little.

It is difficult when you're dealing with idiots with dren for brains. This happens more often than the other situation. It's also the only situation I have experience with.

[lizzy-turner.livejournal.com]

Diplomacy is not easy, especially when you're dealing with pirates. Because they follow a code which is actually more like guidelines and don't believe in diplomacy and would rather plunder than have peace.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Pirates sound very confusing.

[deirdreofamber.livejournal.com]

Diplomacy is difficult if you are related to the people you are dealing with, as it entails much baggage and undercurrents of emotion. For instance, trying to broker a truce between my brothers, that is not very easy, and then there is the underlying stress of the debate over whose mother was really married to father at the time of their births and which is a bastard or not, and well... *stares off into sapace a moment*

I much prefer diplomacy between strangers, it seems to me that it is more straighforward and less likely to lead to duels in the library.

*sighs*

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Anything with family has additional strains.

[notashepherd.livejournal.com]

Diplomacy, as it is, is encouraged in order to create a semblance of peace among people. It is essential that diplomacy be used when trying to make everyone follow what you believe in organize governments, ruling bodies, and (from what I have been told) parties.

Diplomacy is probably the most useful when settling a dispute. The more you allow others to believe they are making their points and you are listening to them, the more likely you can use this against them to have things go your way.

*places homework, bound in a folder, onto Professor Padme's desk*

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Very eloquent. Thank you.

[death-n-binky.livejournal.com]

*DEATH walks in, looky vaugely annoyed, and hands a note to the teacher, even though he is not scheduled for class today. Since the professor cannot see Death, the note just seems to materialize.*

It reads:

To those it may concern, DEATH was unable to attend class on Weds as a result of an unscheduled plauge. I, the Death of Rats, was unprepared for such an event since, generally, all plauges must be cleared with DEATH beforehand. However, several lesser demons have decided to make light of the fact that DEATH is on sabbatical and have failed to follow procedure. They have been sent to work with the Hogfather for the next week as pennance.

Sincerely,
Death of Rats

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

*nods* I think it should count.