Soft Diplomacy in EU-China Relations

The concept of multilateralism can mean different things. It embodies several underlying assumptions about the nature of relations between two or more actors and their strategic intentions. In practice, it is synonymous with complexity. Multilateralism is a tool for organising complexity and making it amenable to negotiation in multilateral settings, by working towards a single negotiating text and goal. A number of theories have been developed to explain the internal dynamics of multilateral negotiations. These range from different international and integration theories to negotiation analysis, cultural dynamics, systems theory, decision theory, game theory, coalition theory, organisation theory, network theories, agency and agenda setting, globalisation and new institutionalism, and so on. This multiplicity of theoretical approaches illustrates how diverse multilateral negotiation in practice relies on dynamic pluralised inputs and how different approaches identify the interplay between strategies and functionally linked management, brokerage, distribution, sharing and exercise of power.