Expert Diplomacy

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The seminar, "Expert Diplomacy," traces the emergence and growing influence of experts as pivotal actors in the international system throughout the 20th century. It will explore how politicians increasingly viewed these individuals as indispensable carriers of specialized knowledge and relied on them as policymakers within technical committees of institutions like the League of Nations and the United Nations. Through seminar-style discussions, students will critically examine how international institutions provided platforms where experts could collaborate across borders, legitimize their knowledge, and establish themselves as influential players in shaping global diplomacy. We will also delve into how conferencing emerged as both a technique of internationalism and a means for advancing scientific progress, and assess whether this phenomenon is exclusive to a liberal international order. The course is structured around six thematic sessions, each spanning two to three weeks, where we will explore the role of expertise in areas such as health, opium and international law, education and intellectual cooperation, economy, and development. Several central questions will guide our weekly discussions: How do expert communities form, and how have they shaped international relations? In what ways have experts balanced national interests with broader international goals? We will consider how these individuals, often navigating between the demands of national delegations and the priorities of international communities, have acted as de facto diplomats, shaping both state policy and non-governmental internationalism. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to critically assess the significance of experts in diplomacy and their impact on the trajectory of international governance.