Storia della diplomazia e International Relations Studies fra pre- e post- moderno

Diplomatic history and International Relations Studies are increasingly crossing their paths: the transformation of contemporary diplomacy in a globalised world has pushed the IR towards a re-reading of medieval practices and mod- els that could provide them with examples and case-stud- ies. Historians could fo their part, by revising the traditional grand narrative on the birth of modern diplomacy, derive from the IR useful categories and concepts. This essay re- views the results of such crossings. On the one hand, the need to de ne a «New Diplomacy» has surfaced in historical studies and in the workings of contemporary professionals and theorists; on the other hand, a deeper analysis of both pre- modern and the modern multiple diplomacy reveals interesting similarities while suggesting new theoretical ap- proaches. This paper analyzes the conceptual framework and presents the latest results of research on diplomacy in both the late medieval and the modern ages. It then com- pares methods of analysis and interpretations and offers a critical perspective on the need and usefulness of models.

Parole chiave: Diplomazia; Italia tardomedievale; International Relations Studies; globalizzazione

Keywords: Diplomacy; late medieval Italy; International Relations Studies; globalisation