The Master's Thesis on "The History of Diplomatic Protocol with the Emphasis on French Influence on Diplomatic Protocol and New Cultural Influences on Today's Diplomatic Protocol" aims at introducing the topic of History of Diplomatic protocol and is further elaborating on the topic in terms of various influences on Diplomacy and Diplomatic protocol. The purpose was to show that the evolution of the practices, protocols and etiquette is a gradual process of change. Nowadays we live in the world strongly influenced by the European tradition that mainly comes from France. However, the changing world and process of globalization makes it easier for people to interact, share their values and spread their ideas.

The goal of this Thesis is to uncover, characterize, analyze, describe and define selected contemporary rules of etiquette, international business and diplomatic protocol in international business and diplomatic practice and point out the greatest deficiencies witnessed in practice. The research subject of this Thesis is, thus, the formal aspect of international business and diplomatic cooperation. Its output consists of recommendation on how to correctly apply these rules in practice. I would also like my paper to significantly contribute to the general knowledge of this fascinating and commonly useful knowledge. The structure of the Thesis as it was drawn up in context of its goals consists of three main chapters, introduction and conclusion. The first part of the Thesis deals with Social Etiquette. This part is not conceived as general rules of social intercourse. Instead, it concentrates mainly on the elaboration of contemporary general rules of social intercourse and etiquette to in the context of business and entrepreneurial activities, i.e. Business Protocol. The Thesis would also like to provide answers to the following questions: What is the current standard of social intercourse in the Czech Republic? What are the contemporary rules of social intercourse in the Czech Republic and how do they differ from the etiquette abroad? Can we claim that these rules are being observed? What leads our managers, businessman, diplomats etc. to observing these rules? In my Thesis I strive to evaluate contemporary rules applicable to social, business and diplomatic events as well as in written communication and to draw attention the lack of their knowledge. Another partial goal of the Thesis consists of using carried out analyses, evaluations, inquiries via questionnaires and comparative analyses to point out the differences in the rules of social intercourse, conduct and negotiation in different territories. The working hypothesis of this part of the paper is to indicate on the basis of the above mentioned allegations the relationship between the behaviour and conduct of managers of different provenience and the fact that they have different cultural background. Culture is learned not inherited. It is derived from the social environment not from genes and it must be clearly distinguished from human character and the character of individual people. Significant attention is, therefore, paid to the study of international customs and conventions, especially those of the countries which the representatives of Czech firms, enterprises and institutions most come into contact with. The presented Thesis does not have the ambition to come up with a definitive cookbook as to how to conduct oneself in a given situation within a given territory; it merely strives to point out the pitfalls, misunderstandings and blunders in conduct and barriers in communication and in business or any other professional negotiations. Unlike legal acts the rules of Etiquette are not binding. Laws apply to all and the state prosecutes their infringement. Unlike laws, the rules of Etiquette are not enforceable. Their only form of enforcement is the social pressure which the society effectuates on the individual. Thus, the standards of social conduct only apply to those willing to abide by them. The presented paper is an aggregate of the rules and its author's views. Another author's standpoint may differ. The second part of the Thesis concentrates on the sphere of Diplomatic Protocol in international business and diplomatic practice. The presented paper aims at describing the existing system of Foreign Service and diplomatic activities, presenting the diplomatic representations, consulates, missions and other representatives abroad, their functioning as well as their immunities and privileges. Diplomatic Protocol concerns the formal, not the material, content of international relations. Formal rules of social conduct in intercourse with diplomatic representatives of other countries, the etiquette and the ceremonies applied to the intercourse with these representatives form an integral part of the Diplomatic Protocol. In the initial part I define the very term Diplomatic Protocol and I strive to specify is subject. Successively I address individual respective parts of Diplomatic Protocol and diplomatic practice, such as the methods of establishing diplomatic relationships, the roles of diplomatic missions, ranks of diplomatic representatives and their immunities and privileges, the procedure related to the conferment of agrément and the termination of activity of the head of a diplomatic mission, official visits of foreign guests, organisation of international conferences, diplomatic correspondence, consular activities etc. In the course of its elaboration the presented Thesis should also offer answers to the following questions: What is the current international form, role and significance of the Diplomatic Protocol? What leads states to observing signed conventions? Which diplomatic immunities and privileges are at the moment among the most abused or violated? For the accomplishment of the goals set out in this Thesis I shall strive to outline the scale of theoretic approaches and based on the effective layout and international practice express my own conclusions. Among others, the paper also aims at promoting the development of skills of the current diplomat and acquainting them with the norms of diplomatic correspondence. The aforementioned part of the Thesis also sets out another rather easily attained objective: due to the inexistence of comprehensive publications on this topic to become a handbook and reference manual not only for the young adepts of this profession but for all who for some reason take interest in Diplomacy. It was an ambition of the author to assemble and explain terms, which those interested in the practical aspects of Foreign Service, may be confronted with. The paper reflects current diplomatic practice and takes into account Czech circumstances. The author is endeavouring to mediate the information and knowledge she gained through years of practice at representative offices abroad gained during her practical experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and through more than 20 years of practice in academic research and instruction of this area.

The aim of my master thesis was to specify the business and diplomatic protocol in France and answer several questions that I defined. Are there any differences between the facts that we read in books and guides about French business and diplomatic protocol, and the reality? Can we generalize French business protocol and say that it is valid for all sectors and generations of managers? Can we claim that French diplomatic protocol is valid all the time and every single president sticks to it? The first chapter explains all the key terms - protocol, business protocol, diplomatic protocol, business negotiation, etiquette. The second chapter focuses on French business protocol, especially organization and course of business negotiation, dress code and gift-giving etiquette, and finally characterizes a typical French company. The third chapter focuses on French diplomatic protocol, especially on all aspects conserning ambassadors in France. The fourth chapter represents the practical part and gives several practical examples of French business and diplomatic protocol. This part is based on four qualitative conversations with four experts on this domain.

S’appuyant sur un corpus de textes que l’on qualifie normalement de « traités sur l’ambassadeur », cette thèse s’attache à reconstruire la naissance de la diplomatie moderne tout au long d’une période qui va du XIIIe au XVIIe siècle, en essayant d’analyser la manière dont la figure de l’ambassadeur à été élaborée à l’intérieur d’un champ de problématisation qui se caractérise par une imbrication réciproque du droit, de l’éthique et de la politique et va constituer une véritable expérience de la diplomatie.Ce travail s’articule en deux parties. Dans la première il s’agit de comprendre comment la figure de l’ambassadeur a été façonnée sous le profil de son statut juridique, à savoir comme une persona publica chargée d’un officium et devant représenter son mandant, avec les conséquences qui en découlent quant à l’établissement de son pouvoir de négociation, à la définition de ses immunités ainsi qu’à la détermination des honneurs qu’il a le droit de recevoir. L’analyse de ces questions permettra d’apprécier la contribution apportée par notre corpus non seulement à la définition du statut juridique de l’ambassadeur, mais aussi à la formation du nouveau droit des gens destiné à régir l’Europe moderne. La seconde partie s’attache à comprendre comment la figure de l’ambassadeur a été façonnée sous le profil de son statut professionnel : on s’interroge alors sur les fonctions qui lui sont attribuées, sur les moyens qui lui sont fournis et les conditions qui lui sont demandées pour s’en acquitter de la manière la plus efficace, ainsi que sur la problématisation éthique à laquelle son action est soumise. Tout en essayant de faire ressortir la spécificité de l’ambassadeur, cette partie se propose aussi de contribuer à l’étude de la professionnalisation du fonctionnaire public. / Using a collection of texts commonly known as the “treatises on the ambassador”, this research examines the birth and the development of the experience of diplomacy from the 13th to the 17th Century. It aims, in particular, to explore the development of the figure of the ambassador within a field of problematization involving ethics, politics and law.After some methodological and historical remarks, the thesis deals with the development of the status of the ambassador from two perspectives, the legal and the professional. Regarding his legal status, the medieval legal conceptualisation of the role of the ambassador as a genuine public “office”, and that of the diplomatic function as “representation”, are examined. The way in which these conceptualisations help to define the negotiating powers conferred on the ambassador, his immunities and the honours to which he is entitled is then considered. This analysis allows for an investigation of the complex links between the exercise of diplomacy and claims to sovereignty during Europe’s transition from the Middle Ages to Modernity. Regarding his professional status, the thesis reconstructs the functions of the ambassador (particularly in relation to information gathering and negotiation), the means provided for the ambassador to undertake his functions (his salary and the assignment of an escort) and the objective, intellectual or moral qualities required of him. As well as illustrating the techniques which have been required for ambassadorial success since the 15th Century, this analysis offers some hints for studying the professionalization of public officials and the emergence of the modern criteria of political analysis.