Small States and the War in Ukraine (original) (raw)

Small States in World Politics: State of the Art

Small States in World Politics: State of the Art, 2018

In the literature review to follow I will first provide an overview of the major efforts in small states studies, concerning most importantly the definition of 'smallness' as the area in which an agreement is yet to be reached. This will be followed by an overview of the scholarly discussions on smallness and power and strategies that small states employ to mitigate their material limitations, which have led scholars to question the concept of power. This raised the following question: are small states permanently locked into a power hierarchy which they cannot escape, or do they have a possibility to overcome their material limitations by shaping and reshaping relations in which they are found? Constructivists moved the debate away from structural variables and limitations that these states are faced with, and brought into the picture the small states' possibilities and different roles they might employ, thus bypassing the limitations emerging from the 'small vs. big powers' dichotomy. Theories of alliances, however, continue to picture the choices that are presented to small states as only two: to seek protection of bigger states or risk standing alone. Least work has been done on where and how smallness matters and where opportunities for small states lie. Future work should reflect if, when, and how 'smallness' is a factor in these states' foreign policies and their alignment politics.

Hegemonism and Small States in the Contemporary International System: A Study of Ukraine

The contemporary international system comprises dominant and small states that participate in the international politics. Given the varying degrees of development of national powers and differences in both domestic and international tangential powers of states create unequal and asymmetrical economic and political relationship in the international system. The states with developed national powers, high domestic and high international tangential powers tend to dominate and perpetuate hegemonism on the small states-the developing states in the world politics. The state of Ukraine in Europe is under the hegemonism of Russia with threats of losing its territory of Crimea to Russia's hegemonic stance. The study adopts realism as its theoretical framework of analysis in explaining the factors of hegemonism in the international politics. Its methodology is secondary sources of data collection. The study investigates the relationship of Ukraine with hegemonic powers particularly the threats of Russia to annex Ukraine Crimean territory.

The Interactions of Small States with Great Powers, the EU and the UN

The theory that states behave differently depending on their size and capabilities begs the question how small states behave in an organization involving much larger states. This paper takes a look at how small states behave towards great powers bilaterally and why they would join organizations such as EU and the UN. The conclusion I come to is that they seek to increase their security by encouraging formal international laws and by gaining military insurances from larger states and as a part of that to gain economic security through greater access to markets.

THE DIPLOMACY OF SMALL STATES IN THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SYSTEM.

Journal for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, 2017

This article interrogates the undercurrents of small states foreign policy and the determinants of foreign policy making in small states. It question small states are positioned in the web of international relations with other player, such as large states. The research is guided by the assumption that small states are somewhat limited by domestic and external factor, which are the driving catalysts of international relations agendas. The analysis aims to determine how the smallness of a state can be a challenge, and how small states can survive the limitations of their smallness. The article makes use of Liberalism/Neo-Liberalism theories of International Relations (IR) Studies.

The Relevance and Influence of Small States in NATO and the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy

Lithuanian Annual Strategic Review, 2015

Small states are important and visible players in international politics. Their power is limited, and their economy and military capability may not match those of their larger neighbours, but small states enjoy certain advantages that increase their abilities to influence international politics. This article tries to show and explain how small states can act and exploit their advantages in a wider international arena. The main aim is to show ways and methods for small states to act and pursue their policy goals. This article analyses the behaviour of small states inside two major European security actors: NATO and the EU. Several examples will be presented in detail, namely, air policing in the Baltic states and the Lithuanian Presidency in the European Council. These examples clearly show the achievements and failures of small states in international politics.

The role and impact of the small states diplomacy on regional and international security

ILIRIA International Review, 2016

History has proved that the safety for small countries has never been secure, however this has been more emphasized during the Cold War Period through the rivalry of the superpowers, ideological conflicts, as well as the clashes between their geopolitical and geostrategic interests. For the Superpowers it is very easy to manipulate with these countries' economic and military aspect. They can't handle a conflict with their strengths, while the only way is diplomatic war to avoid or decrease the danger of conflict. To avoid insecurity, which for the small countries in the international relationships is bigger than for the big countries, the only safety alternative is their association in the international institutions. To face the regional and global challenges of safety, the Western Balkan countries have only one strategic solution, that is the integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures. The membership institutionalizes the relations between the small countries with those regional in the economic and safety field, as well as it sets the frames of the behavior with which the weak are protected from the eventual misuse from the most powerful ones. Small countries should concentrate in the creation of the professional and trained forces which can be easily mobilized in case of any crisis and they should also be affordable in the economic aspect. Dr.sc. Bejtush GASHI The role and impact of the small states' diplomacy on regional and international security Bejtush Gashi

Small states and National Security

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2016

The world, in any case, was never safe for small states because history has shown that it is very easy for major powers to manipulate with these states, both economically as well as militarily. While a small country is not able to afford a conflict on its own, the only way for it remains the diplomatic struggle to avoid or reduce the risk of conflict. The only way to avoid uncertainty, which for a small country in international relations is much greater than for a large country, is their association in international institutions. For small states of the Western Balkans there is only one strategic choice and that is Euro-Atlantic integration. In general, the security project and joint defence was the brainchild of major European states, but the objective to be positioned in the international system was the main motive that forced nearly all small states to join. The difference between states that have been able to survive and those who have perished is that some small states have survived due to their engagements, which led them towards the desired objective, that of military defence. Those who want peace must prepare for war. Preventive military measures of aggression constitute the most difficult problem for security matters, the independence of small and medium states such as Israel,