a very interesting question. To enter into/enhance diplomatic relations one factor is economic. In a globalized world it is necessary to open markets for the national companies or to atract foreign investments. Also in a globalized world full of global problems that require international cooperation to deal with them, every country need to express its opinions, or interests and to do its best to participate in the solution of those problems. All these needs promote diplomatic relations.

Of course this is not enough to address your question. From a theoretical point of view, the paradigm of conflict of civilizations of Samuel Huntintong is an interesting instrument or model to interprete the current international relations. We still have in this discipline the old division between idealism and realism.

I believe the proposal of an alliance of civilizations presented by the spanish govement in the UN is an excelent approach.

English School.

But take a look at Paul Sharp's "Diplomatic Theory of International Relations".

Thank you Cesar and Lucas.

The AOC does sound very promising and as I understand,seeks to establish inter-cultural understanding and peaceful co-existence to help counteract potential conflicts.I felt that while it provides an excellent road map for building diplomatic ties, it does not throw much light on any specific indicators.

What I am trying to arrive at are some specific indicators that can be established as a model.The economic factor obviously stands out as the strongest motivator, but can there be some latent factors too?

Paul Sharp's version is one that looks into how diplomacy and diplomats can impact the major issues in international relations today----based primarily on group theory.But in case of fragmented societies or societies that lack representation, where would Sharp's theory find application?

Do correct me if i am getting it wrong.Thanks once again for helping me get some clarity.Look forward to further insights.

Given the complexity of the current international scenario i would say it's difficult to pick only one school of thought, maybe a combination of many theories would give you a more accurate understanding of what is going on right now. However, you can take a look at Keohane and Nye with their model of Complex Interdependence. This model can give you important clues on why countries opt to cooperate with the other actors of the world scenario. This is a personal choice, with whichever theory I choose to analyze certain phenomenon I always try not to forget the realist postulate of anarchy. Regards.

Thanks Cristina.Will look up Keohane and Nye and get back to you on this.

A very good suggestion from Christina. Regarding the specifics indicators, economic is a strong one but there is the culture element. There are some countries which share a history or language, like for example the Latinoamerican Region for which is a very normal to have strong diplomatic ties. Similar is the situation of the European Countries or the Arab League, the African organisations etc. In those cases the interest is not necessary economic but could also be political, or cultural.

The national interest of countries influence them to cooperate with some other countries because of Economic reasons, cultural identification (The goal to promete common values shared by the group) and political objetives (Countries with similar political systems or with the same threats or problemes tend to cooperate between themselves etc).

I am still reading up the suggestions...shall get back with clarifications soon.

try "how international law works" written by Andrew T Gusman, this book make you understand on application international law in international diplomacy. thanks

For sure the best model in International Relations for understanding the present reshaping of the nature of international diplomacy is to follow the process of global uniting of the world population into World (Earth) community of Earth citizens. Such Earth citizenship is the only way to protect Humanity from self-destruction and to solve together the world problems and challenges of nowadays. See in details at - http://wpf.unesco-tlee.org/eng/wcitiz.htm