Treaties and Literature (Diplomatica special issues)

deadline for submissions: 
February 15, 2023
full name / name of organization: 
Ken Weisbrode/Network for New Diplomatic History
contact email: 

For two special issues of Diplomatica we invite proposals for essays on (1) the history and culture of diplomatic treaties; and (2) aspects of diplomacy’s relationship to literature. Essays may cover any historical period up to the present-day. The central questions that the special issues pose are:

(1) Treaties

– How and why have diplomatic texts evolved?

– How has their hermeneutics changed over time?

– Are treaties better understood as literary artifacts or as socio-political constructs?

– What can the evolution of treaties tell us about the evolution of diplomacy and the diplomatic profession?

(2) Literature

– How does literary skill manifest itself in diplomatic practice?

– How do diplomatic ‘narratives’ shape actual diplomacy?

– Are there particular diplomatic ‘genres’ and, if so, how are they best understood?

Possible topics include:

– histories and/or literary comparisons of particular treaties;

– case studies of literary diplomats and/or diplomatic works;

– semiotic analyses of particular treaties or other agreements;

– visual, musical, and cinematic depictions of literature in diplomatic contexts.

Please send expressions of interest, or abstracts of 500 words and a brief bio-note to the issue editors, newdiplo@gmail.com by 15 February 2023. Please quote ‘Treaties’ or ‘Literature’ in the subject line.

Notification of acceptance will be no later than 1 March 2023. If accepted, full essays (of 7000 to 9000 words) will be due by 15 December 2023.

Review-essays and interviews pertinent to the special issue are also very welcome. Please contact the journal editors with any questions.