King in the North: evaluating the status recognition and performance of the Scandinavian countries

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Standard

King in the North : evaluating the status recognition and performance of the Scandinavian countries. / Røren, Pål; Wivel, Anders.

In: International Relations, Vol. 37, No. 2, 2023, p. 298-323.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Harvard

Røren, P & Wivel, A 2023, 'King in the North: evaluating the status recognition and performance of the Scandinavian countries', International Relations, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 298-323. https://doi.org/10.1177/00471178221110135

APA

Røren, P., & Wivel, A. (2023). King in the North: evaluating the status recognition and performance of the Scandinavian countries. International Relations, 37(2), 298-323. https://doi.org/10.1177/00471178221110135

Vancouver

Røren P, Wivel A. King in the North: evaluating the status recognition and performance of the Scandinavian countries. International Relations. 2023;37(2):298-323. https://doi.org/10.1177/00471178221110135

Author

Røren, Pål ; Wivel, Anders. / King in the North : evaluating the status recognition and performance of the Scandinavian countries. In: International Relations. 2023 ; Vol. 37, No. 2. pp. 298-323.

Bibtex

@article{ba2d695dffd74f139c362a76ec567d26,
title = "King in the North: evaluating the status recognition and performance of the Scandinavian countries",
abstract = "The Scandinavian states{\textquoteright} pursuit of status in world politics is well documented. However, little is known about whether these endeavors have resulted in higher status for these states. In this article, we suggest that the Scandinavian countries represent a useful case to explore whether similar foreign policy profiles and common club membership equalizes or exacerbates the unequal distribution of status recognition in world politics. To measure the status recognition of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, we use a network centrality measure of diplomatic representation and exchange from 1970 to 2010. We also measure how well the states have performed to increase their status recognition given their available status resources (measured by military capabilities and wealth) and their status-seeking effort (measured by relative diplomatic outreach). Our results show that Sweden has received significantly more recognition and performed much better than both Denmark and Norway in the measured period. We offer three explanations for these developments. First, the spoils of seeking status using the Scandinavian brand is akin to a regional zero-sum game in which Sweden, as the most visible state of the three, is the main beneficiary of the status recognition in the direction of the club. Second, status recognition often lags achievements or increases in status resources because the beliefs of foreign policy practitioners are only updated sporadically. This status lag is especially visible when states struggle to convert their resources into status (Norway), or when they succeed in maintaining their status despite experiencing a drop in status resources (Sweden). Third, an increase in status resources will only influence status recognition if it plays into a corresponding narrative. Sweden, in contrast to the nouveau riche Norwegians, has managed to rearticulate its foreign policy in a way that has attracted recognition in world politics.",
keywords = "Faculty of Social Sciences, status, Scandinavia, small states, diplomacy, status-seeking, network analysis, status-seeking, international relations, status, Scandinavia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Danish foreign policy, Swedish foreign policy, Norwegian foreign policy",
author = "P{\aa}l R{\o}ren and Anders Wivel",
year = "2023",
doi = "10.1177/00471178221110135",
language = "English",
volume = "37",
pages = "298--323",
journal = "International Relations",
issn = "0047-1178",
publisher = "SAGE Publications",
number = "2",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - King in the North

T2 - evaluating the status recognition and performance of the Scandinavian countries

AU - Røren, Pål

AU - Wivel, Anders

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - The Scandinavian states’ pursuit of status in world politics is well documented. However, little is known about whether these endeavors have resulted in higher status for these states. In this article, we suggest that the Scandinavian countries represent a useful case to explore whether similar foreign policy profiles and common club membership equalizes or exacerbates the unequal distribution of status recognition in world politics. To measure the status recognition of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, we use a network centrality measure of diplomatic representation and exchange from 1970 to 2010. We also measure how well the states have performed to increase their status recognition given their available status resources (measured by military capabilities and wealth) and their status-seeking effort (measured by relative diplomatic outreach). Our results show that Sweden has received significantly more recognition and performed much better than both Denmark and Norway in the measured period. We offer three explanations for these developments. First, the spoils of seeking status using the Scandinavian brand is akin to a regional zero-sum game in which Sweden, as the most visible state of the three, is the main beneficiary of the status recognition in the direction of the club. Second, status recognition often lags achievements or increases in status resources because the beliefs of foreign policy practitioners are only updated sporadically. This status lag is especially visible when states struggle to convert their resources into status (Norway), or when they succeed in maintaining their status despite experiencing a drop in status resources (Sweden). Third, an increase in status resources will only influence status recognition if it plays into a corresponding narrative. Sweden, in contrast to the nouveau riche Norwegians, has managed to rearticulate its foreign policy in a way that has attracted recognition in world politics.

AB - The Scandinavian states’ pursuit of status in world politics is well documented. However, little is known about whether these endeavors have resulted in higher status for these states. In this article, we suggest that the Scandinavian countries represent a useful case to explore whether similar foreign policy profiles and common club membership equalizes or exacerbates the unequal distribution of status recognition in world politics. To measure the status recognition of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, we use a network centrality measure of diplomatic representation and exchange from 1970 to 2010. We also measure how well the states have performed to increase their status recognition given their available status resources (measured by military capabilities and wealth) and their status-seeking effort (measured by relative diplomatic outreach). Our results show that Sweden has received significantly more recognition and performed much better than both Denmark and Norway in the measured period. We offer three explanations for these developments. First, the spoils of seeking status using the Scandinavian brand is akin to a regional zero-sum game in which Sweden, as the most visible state of the three, is the main beneficiary of the status recognition in the direction of the club. Second, status recognition often lags achievements or increases in status resources because the beliefs of foreign policy practitioners are only updated sporadically. This status lag is especially visible when states struggle to convert their resources into status (Norway), or when they succeed in maintaining their status despite experiencing a drop in status resources (Sweden). Third, an increase in status resources will only influence status recognition if it plays into a corresponding narrative. Sweden, in contrast to the nouveau riche Norwegians, has managed to rearticulate its foreign policy in a way that has attracted recognition in world politics.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - status

KW - Scandinavia

KW - small states

KW - diplomacy

KW - status-seeking

KW - network analysis

KW - status-seeking

KW - international relations

KW - status

KW - Scandinavia

KW - Sweden

KW - Denmark

KW - Norway

KW - Danish foreign policy

KW - Swedish foreign policy

KW - Norwegian foreign policy

U2 - 10.1177/00471178221110135

DO - 10.1177/00471178221110135

M3 - Journal article

VL - 37

SP - 298

EP - 323

JO - International Relations

JF - International Relations

SN - 0047-1178

IS - 2

ER -

ID: 314847886