Yes, (see the date of this post 2021, many things changed since then) diplomacy was updated together with a new AI. Now the 4 files are connected (descr_diplomacy, descr_faction_standing, descr_campaign_ai and campaign_script) - the players reputation is damaged when starting a war, but is not when being attacked, also the exploit with taking a city and paying for peace immediately is removed, and many other things. I don't remember all of it, but really a lot of updates were made since that time.