Small states in the International System: What theories of international relations have to say (original) (raw)
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/article-id>research-articleResearch papercat-ECOEconomicscat-IECOInternational economicsExternal behavior of small states in light of theories of international relationsGalalAbdelraouf MostafaAbdelraouf Mostafa Galalrauf_ww@yahoo.comDepartment of Political Science, Cairo University Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Giza, EgyptAbdelraouf Mostafa Galal can be contacted at: <ext-link ext-link-type="email" xlink:href="mailto:
THE DIPLOMACY OF SMALL STATES IN THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SYSTEM.
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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.
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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.
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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