The power (politics) of the weak revisited: Realism and the study of small-state foreign policy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

Standard

The power (politics) of the weak revisited : Realism and the study of small-state foreign policy. / Pedi, Revecca; Wivel, Anders.

Agency, Security and Governance of Small States: A Global Perspective. ed. / Thomas Kolnberger; Harlan Koff. Abingdon : Routledge, 2023. p. 13-28 (Small State Studies).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

Harvard

Pedi, R & Wivel, A 2023, The power (politics) of the weak revisited: Realism and the study of small-state foreign policy. in T Kolnberger & H Koff (eds), Agency, Security and Governance of Small States: A Global Perspective. Routledge, Abingdon, Small State Studies, pp. 13-28. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003356011

APA

Pedi, R., & Wivel, A. (2023). The power (politics) of the weak revisited: Realism and the study of small-state foreign policy. In T. Kolnberger, & H. Koff (Eds.), Agency, Security and Governance of Small States: A Global Perspective (pp. 13-28). Routledge. Small State Studies https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003356011

Vancouver

Pedi R, Wivel A. The power (politics) of the weak revisited: Realism and the study of small-state foreign policy. In Kolnberger T, Koff H, editors, Agency, Security and Governance of Small States: A Global Perspective. Abingdon: Routledge. 2023. p. 13-28. (Small State Studies). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003356011

Author

Pedi, Revecca ; Wivel, Anders. / The power (politics) of the weak revisited : Realism and the study of small-state foreign policy. Agency, Security and Governance of Small States: A Global Perspective. editor / Thomas Kolnberger ; Harlan Koff. Abingdon : Routledge, 2023. pp. 13-28 (Small State Studies).

Bibtex

@inbook{44cacc66eb8f4f19a6ab35b1241e2d02,
title = "The power (politics) of the weak revisited: Realism and the study of small-state foreign policy",
abstract = "This chapter argues that realism offers important insights for the study of small states. By looking into four iconic realist works, we show that the popular view that small states defy realist expectations because these states can {\textquoteleft}punch above their weight{\textquoteright} is mistaken. Realists do not dismiss the ability of lesser powers to overachieve under certain systemic or state-specific circumstance. In contrast, realists specify how small states can overachieve under certain systemic or state-specific circumstances such as intense competition among great powers, possession of assets of value to great powers, national morale and character, high-quality diplomacy and a good reputation. Our argument proceeds in three steps. First, we map current debates in the study of small states in international affairs identifying central positions and lacunas in the literature. Second, we present a reading of iconic realist works showing how they help us to fill the lacunae of current debates. Finally, we conclude the paper with a discussion of implications for the study of small states and international relations.",
keywords = "Det Samfundsvidenskabelige Fakultet, small state, Realism, foreign policy, international security, International Relations theory",
author = "Revecca Pedi and Anders Wivel",
year = "2023",
doi = "10.4324/9781003356011",
language = "Dansk",
isbn = "9781032410487",
series = "Small State Studies",
publisher = "Routledge",
pages = "13--28",
editor = "Thomas Kolnberger and Harlan Koff",
booktitle = "Agency, Security and Governance of Small States",
address = "Storbritannien",

}

RIS

TY - CHAP

T1 - The power (politics) of the weak revisited

T2 - Realism and the study of small-state foreign policy

AU - Pedi, Revecca

AU - Wivel, Anders

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - This chapter argues that realism offers important insights for the study of small states. By looking into four iconic realist works, we show that the popular view that small states defy realist expectations because these states can ‘punch above their weight’ is mistaken. Realists do not dismiss the ability of lesser powers to overachieve under certain systemic or state-specific circumstance. In contrast, realists specify how small states can overachieve under certain systemic or state-specific circumstances such as intense competition among great powers, possession of assets of value to great powers, national morale and character, high-quality diplomacy and a good reputation. Our argument proceeds in three steps. First, we map current debates in the study of small states in international affairs identifying central positions and lacunas in the literature. Second, we present a reading of iconic realist works showing how they help us to fill the lacunae of current debates. Finally, we conclude the paper with a discussion of implications for the study of small states and international relations.

AB - This chapter argues that realism offers important insights for the study of small states. By looking into four iconic realist works, we show that the popular view that small states defy realist expectations because these states can ‘punch above their weight’ is mistaken. Realists do not dismiss the ability of lesser powers to overachieve under certain systemic or state-specific circumstance. In contrast, realists specify how small states can overachieve under certain systemic or state-specific circumstances such as intense competition among great powers, possession of assets of value to great powers, national morale and character, high-quality diplomacy and a good reputation. Our argument proceeds in three steps. First, we map current debates in the study of small states in international affairs identifying central positions and lacunas in the literature. Second, we present a reading of iconic realist works showing how they help us to fill the lacunae of current debates. Finally, we conclude the paper with a discussion of implications for the study of small states and international relations.

KW - Det Samfundsvidenskabelige Fakultet

KW - small state

KW - Realism

KW - foreign policy

KW - international security

KW - International Relations theory

UR - https://www.routledge.com/Agency-Security-and-Governance-of-Small-States-A-Global-Perspective/Kolnberger-Koff/p/book/9781032410487

U2 - 10.4324/9781003356011

DO - 10.4324/9781003356011

M3 - Bidrag til bog/antologi

SN - 9781032410487

SN - 9781032410555

T3 - Small State Studies

SP - 13

EP - 28

BT - Agency, Security and Governance of Small States

A2 - Kolnberger, Thomas

A2 - Koff, Harlan

PB - Routledge

CY - Abingdon

ER -

ID: 370217626