Iver B. Neumann, D.Phil. (Oxon., Politics) and Dr Philos. (Oslo, Social Anthropology), is Director of The Fridtjof Nansen Institute. He has published widely within international relations, but his latest book in English is an edited volume on the Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgaard called Knausgaard in Context (Oslo: Scandinavian University Press, 2025).

• List of Figures and Tables Preface Chapter one: Introduction: Diplomatic Gifts as a Foundational Practice Chapter two: An Old Practice Institutionalised: Crisis Management (with Ole Jacob Sending) Chapter three: A Resilient Practice: Representation Abroad Chapter four: Defanging an Anti-Diplomatic Practice: Triumphalism Chapter five: Co-opting a Practice for Diplomacy: Peace and Reconciliation (with Martin Eide) Chapter six: A Meta-Perspective: Artists, Writers and Diplomatic Practices Chapter seven: Conclusion Bibliography

"Iver Neumann makes yet another major contribution to our knowledge of the role of diplomacy and diplomats in making the international state system function. Drawing on examples from world history and the increasingly consequential case of Norway, Neumann invites us to rethink the myriad diplomatic practices that buttress the system. With verve and erudition, he engages the current wave of interest in international practice theory and diplomatic studies."- Geoffrey Wiseman, Grace School of Applied Diplomacy, DePaul University, Chicago"Iver Neumann’s theoretical work and ethnographic research have inspired generations of students of diplomacy, and the style of all his writings, including this book, bears his indistinguishable signature. In passing, his interdisciplinary contributions to the conversation on diplomatic practice have informed academics and their alumni about Norway's diplomacy, a small power whose affluence and determination enabled a relatively large diplomatic footprint. This short book, building on his previous work, equally testifies to Neumann’s penchant for elegance and aesthetics and his passion for uncovering the writings of original thinkers who speak to the burgeoning field of diplomatic studies."- Jan Melissen, Editor-in-Chief, The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, University of Antwerp (Belgium) and Leiden University (the Netherlands)

Iver B. Neumann, D.Phil. (Oxon., Politics) and Dr Philos. (Oslo, Social Anthropology), is Director of The Fridtjof Nansen Institute. He has published widely within international relations, but his latest book in English is an edited volume on the Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgaard called Knausgaard in Context (Oslo: Scandinavian University Press, 2025).

• List of Figures and Tables Preface Chapter one: Introduction: Diplomatic Gifts as a Foundational Practice Chapter two: An Old Practice Institutionalised: Crisis Management (with Ole Jacob Sending) Chapter three: A Resilient Practice: Representation Abroad Chapter four: Defanging an Anti-Diplomatic Practice: Triumphalism Chapter five: Co-opting a Practice for Diplomacy: Peace and Reconciliation (with Martin Eide) Chapter six: A Meta-Perspective: Artists, Writers and Diplomatic Practices Chapter seven: Conclusion Bibliography

"Iver Neumann makes yet another major contribution to our knowledge of the role of diplomacy and diplomats in making the international state system function. Drawing on examples from world history and the increasingly consequential case of Norway, Neumann invites us to rethink the myriad diplomatic practices that buttress the system. With verve and erudition, he engages the current wave of interest in international practice theory and diplomatic studies."- Geoffrey Wiseman, Grace School of Applied Diplomacy, DePaul University, Chicago"Iver Neumann’s theoretical work and ethnographic research have inspired generations of students of diplomacy, and the style of all his writings, including this book, bears his indistinguishable signature. In passing, his interdisciplinary contributions to the conversation on diplomatic practice have informed academics and their alumni about Norway's diplomacy, a small power whose affluence and determination enabled a relatively large diplomatic footprint. This short book, building on his previous work, equally testifies to Neumann’s penchant for elegance and aesthetics and his passion for uncovering the writings of original thinkers who speak to the burgeoning field of diplomatic studies."- Jan Melissen, Editor-in-Chief, The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, University of Antwerp (Belgium) and Leiden University (the Netherlands)

Iver B. Neumann, D.Phil. (Oxon., Politics) and Dr Philos. (Oslo, Social Anthropology), is Director of The Fridtjof Nansen Institute. He has published widely within international relations, but his latest book in English is an edited volume on the Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgaard called Knausgaard in Context (Oslo: Scandinavian University Press, 2025).

• List of Figures and Tables Preface Chapter one: Introduction: Diplomatic Gifts as a Foundational Practice Chapter two: An Old Practice Institutionalised: Crisis Management (with Ole Jacob Sending) Chapter three: A Resilient Practice: Representation Abroad Chapter four: Defanging an Anti-Diplomatic Practice: Triumphalism Chapter five: Co-opting a Practice for Diplomacy: Peace and Reconciliation (with Martin Eide) Chapter six: A Meta-Perspective: Artists, Writers and Diplomatic Practices Chapter seven: Conclusion Bibliography

"Iver Neumann makes yet another major contribution to our knowledge of the role of diplomacy and diplomats in making the international state system function. Drawing on examples from world history and the increasingly consequential case of Norway, Neumann invites us to rethink the myriad diplomatic practices that buttress the system. With verve and erudition, he engages the current wave of interest in international practice theory and diplomatic studies."- Geoffrey Wiseman, Grace School of Applied Diplomacy, DePaul University, Chicago"Iver Neumann’s theoretical work and ethnographic research have inspired generations of students of diplomacy, and the style of all his writings, including this book, bears his indistinguishable signature. In passing, his interdisciplinary contributions to the conversation on diplomatic practice have informed academics and their alumni about Norway's diplomacy, a small power whose affluence and determination enabled a relatively large diplomatic footprint. This short book, building on his previous work, equally testifies to Neumann’s penchant for elegance and aesthetics and his passion for uncovering the writings of original thinkers who speak to the burgeoning field of diplomatic studies."- Jan Melissen, Editor-in-Chief, The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, University of Antwerp (Belgium) and Leiden University (the Netherlands)