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diplomatic representation |
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The representation of one state in another by a diplomatic mission. Contrary to what is sometimes thought, the establishment of diplomatic relations (sense 1) between two states does not require this kind of representation, even by a non-resident, let alone a resident mission. (In other words, there is no right of legation, representation in each direction being the product of agreement.) One state may also enjoy diplomatic representation in another without the second state being obliged to seek any representation in the first – what is sometimes called unilateral diplomacy. This situation is usually a product of a marked sense of material or moral superiority (or both) on the part of the receiving state. Probably its most famous instance was the system conducted by the Ottoman Empire, which was admitting permanent foreign embassies within months of the fall of Constantinople in 1453 but did not condescend to send them abroad itself until 1793.
As there is there no requirement that representation should be reciprocal, so also there is none that it should be symmetrical. Thus, one state may be represented in another by a mission whose head is of the first diplomatic class – that is, an embassy (sense 1) headed by an ambassador (sense 1) – while the second state may be represented in the first by a mission whose head is in the second diplomatic class – that is, a legation, headed by a minister (sense 1). However, asymmetrical representation was never customary. Furthermore, in the third quarter of the twentieth century representation by missions whose heads were in the second or third diplomatic class went speedily out of fashion, so that since then virtually all representation has taken place at ambassadorial level. It also seems that non-reciprocal representation has become a somewhat unusual situation, and that some states might see it as justifiable only in the presence of special circumstances. And certainly, unless there are strong and acceptable reasons for it, the refusal of a request for diplomatic representation might be seen as not in political keeping with the condition of being in diplomatic relations. The outcome of these developments is that, in striking contrast to the position a century ago, non-resident representation is by no means uncommon, and resident embassies vary hugely in size and importance. |
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