Modern Consuls, Local Communities and Globalization

This book offers a tool in international relations conducted separately from the activities of ambassadors and other diplomats at the highest level of diplomacy at embassies in capital cities. In communities around the world, foreign consuls provide a local link to the modern arena of global activities. To be credible players in the international community, educational, civic and business leaders have to understand the role and nature of a variety of named consuls (such as a career consul, honorary consul, consul general, vice consul, head of post, and trade commissioner) and their official functions in various locations throughout a nation. The book also presents the international rules of consular diplomacy, such as rank and titles determining consular precedence to provide guidelines in areas with an active consular corps. Lastly, the book clarifies the difference between citizens on their government's career consular track and those (mostly co-nationals) who function as honorary consuls.