The diplomatic career in the Law of 1883

Matters of protocol and ceremonial

Abstract

During the nineteenth century, great changes were introduced in the diplomatic career derived from the Congresses of Vienna and Aachen. One of them was the regulation of the categories of its members, which opened the way to its progressive professionalization.

In Spain, professionalization was introduced through different laws, one of the most important was the Law of the Diplomatic Career of 1883, which established official exams as a form of access to it, exams that were based only on theoretical knowledge. But diplomatic representatives also required specific practical training that was not taught in the faculties nor was it provided for in the law. The book Practical Guide to the Spanish Diplomat, by Antonio de Castro Casaleiz, tried to fill this training gap, including, along with technical-administrative and international law issues, practical issues of ceremonial and protocol.

This paper will analyse both the regulations and the proposal for practical training formulated by Antonio de Castro Casaleiz in protocol and ceremonial issues, who considered the skills, that the diplomat should acquire in these matters for the performance of his position, to be of great importance.