Diplomaatilist

Diplomaatilist is a neologism used in discussions of international relations to describe a practitioner who treats diplomacy as a continuous, integrative process rather than episodic crisis management. A diplomaatilist emphasizes sustained dialogue, inclusivity of multiple stakeholders, adherence to international law, and the use of structured negotiation techniques to build durable agreements.

Etymology: The term appears to combine the Dutch word diplomaat (diplomat) with the English suffix -ilist, indicating a person who subscribes to a doctrine or school of thought. Its usage is mostly confined to academic and policy debates and is not part of formal diplomatic classifications.

Usage and interpretation: In practice, a diplomaatilist favors multilateral forums, data-informed decision making, and long-term relationship building with both state and non-state actors. Critics say the label is vague and overlaps with existing roles such as diplomat, negotiator, or liberal institutionalist; proponents argue it emphasizes a distinct emphasis on process and norms.

See also: diplomacy, liberal institutionalism, realism, public diplomacy.