Small states and international relations pedagogy: Exploring the creative agency frontier (original) (raw)

Small states in the International System: What theories of international relations have to say

International Relations is a discipline that seeks to understand the behavior of states in the international system. Traditionally, its primary focus has been on the great question of war and peace between countries, but over time scholars working in this discipline have broadened their span of topics to include the political economy of economic exchange and trade, international institutions and other forms of international co-operation, questions of global justice, international development and notions of global civil society, amongst other topics.

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.

DEFINING SMALL STATES: THE PERPETUAL INQUEST by THARĀ GABRIEL

The extant affair of defining small states is first established in a deeper and more intricate ontological quandary regarding what a state actually is. In international relations definitions are always a challenge where theorists and analysts are either engaged in continuous debate about what should constitute the description of the subject in question or, they eschew the task altogether. The question of ‘the state’ and by extension ‘the small state’ is not peculiar to this practice. This reading proffers that the difficulties encountered in defining small states is primarily a consequence of adherence to an archaic concept, and ergo, subscription to a notion limited by the plethora of variables and heterogeneity of what is regarded as a ‘state’. It furthers that a distinct conceptualization of ‘smallness’ remains illusory due to the fact that the quantitative and qualitative approaches employed in this field are in essence, both restrictive and paradoxical. Finally, it maintains that the inquest for a single holistic definition is a futile endeavour as interpretation will always be clouded and shadowed by individual vantage points.

Small state discourses in the international political economy

Third World Quarterly, 2010

This article supports growing calls to 'take small states seriously' in the international political economy but questions prevailing interpretations that 'smallness' entails inherent qualities that create unique constraints on, and opportunities for, small states.

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.

External behavior of small states in light of theories of international relations

Review of Economics and Political Science, 2020

Purpose This paper aims to examine the hypotheses of main international theories (realism, liberalism and constructivism) and the development of these theories toward the behavior of foreign policy of small states in the developing world. The theories of international relations, especially the realistic theory, face a theoretical debate and a fundamental criticism. The hypotheses of these theories are not able to explain the external behavior of some small states, especially those in the developing world such as Qatar. In particular, these small states do not have the elements of physical power through which they can play this role. However, they are based on the internal determinants (such as political leadership and the variable of perception) and non-physical dimensions of power to play an effective and influential external role. Design/methodology/approach This topic sheds light on the hypotheses of theories of main international relations, which explain the behavior of foreign ...

Being a Small State: Discussion on the Role of Size

2019

This paper discusses theoretical debates regarding small states and their foreign policy and also argues that research should include more analysis of small states' identities and the dominant meanings related to being a small state. Using poststructuralistic theoretical perspective and discourse analysis, two empirical cases-Lithuania and New Zealand-are analysed with attention paid to the meanings of smallness and the ways these meanings are constructed. Empirical analysis follows with suggestions for how future research of small states could be improved.