Diplomacy at the Highest Level provides the first comprehensive analysis of the theory and practice of international summitry. The implications of the increased involvement of political leaders in international diplomacy is analyzed through case-studies of specific meetings and types of summit representing a broad historical, geographic and political spectrum. The volume also explains the development of high-level meetings from pre-modern times until the present day, the increase in summitry in the twentieth century and the advantages and disadvantages of summits for international politics and diplomacy.

Introduction - PART 1: THE EVOLUTION OF SUMMITRY - What is Summitry?; D.H.Dunn - The Origins of Summit Diplomacy; E.Goldstein - PART 2: INSTITUTIONALISED SUMMITS - The Group of Seven Summits; J.D.Armstrong - From 'European Community Summits' to 'European Council': The Development and Role of Summitry in The European Union; J.Redmond - Superpower Summitry; M.Andersen & T.Farrell - NATO Summits; B.Park - Funeral Summits; G.R.Berridge - Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings; J.Mayall - African Summitry; R.Hodder-Williams - Three Non-Aligned Summits: Harare 1986, Belgrade 1989 and Jakarta 1992; S.Morphet - PART 3: ONE OFF/AD HOC SUMMITS - The Western 'Summit' at Bermuda, December 1953; J.Young - 'Oh Don't Deceive Me': The Nassau Summit; M.Smith - 'A Family Affair': The Lancaster House Agreement; E.Yorke - The Rio Earth Summit; J.Lanchberry - PART 4: CONCLUSIONS - How Useful is Summitry?; D.H.Dunn