2,667 research outputs found
Small States:Concepts and Theories
No full textThis chapter provides an overview of research on small state politics and discusses the dilemmas, challenges and opportunities of small states. The chapter discusses definitions of small states focusing on small states as non-great powers, as defined by the material capabilities and as political constructs. Baldacchino and Wivel present a pragmatic working definition identifying two characteristics of small states: 1) small states are states that are characterized by the limited capacity of their political, economic and administrative systems, and 2) small states typically find themselves as the weaker part in asymmetric relationships and unable to change power configuration and its institutional expression. They start from this definition to draw the contours of the political space inhabited by small states by identifying three dilemmas of small state politics in order to briefly identify some of the challenges that these states share because they are small. They explain the structure of the book and sum up the major findings and draw lessons from the analyses of the book to identify a number of promising future research trajectories on the politics of small states before the chapter is concluded. The chapter is available for download at the homepage of the publisher Edward Elgar https://www.elgaronline.com/view/edcoll/9781788112925/9781788112925.xm
Small States in Europe
No full textThe post-1945 international order increased national security, prosperity and influence for small states in Europe. Today, small European states are challenged by changes in the transatlantic relationship, a new balance of power between Europe’s great powers, and a more fluent and complex institutional order in Europe. While sharing these challenges, small states in Europe differ significantly in terms of institutional affiliation, outlook on the role and function of Euro-Atlantic institutions, and economic capacity and competitiveness. They are now less likely to be stereotyped as inconsequential actors; but more likely to be excluded from decision-making processes unless they take a proactive stance towards new initiatives and developments. This benefits small states with strong human resource capabilities and effective bureaucracies able to take advantage of the various opportunities for influence-seeking in an institutionalized environment.The post-1945 international order increased national security, prosperity and influence for small states in Europe. Today, small European states are challenged by changes in the transatlantic relationship, a new balance of power between Europe’s great powers, and a more fluent and complex institutional order in Europe. While sharing these challenges, small states in Europe differ significantly in terms of institutional affiliation, outlook on the role and function of Euro-Atlantic institutions, and economic capacity and competitiveness. They are now less likely to be stereotyped as inconsequential actors; but more likely to be excluded from decision-making processes unless they take a proactive stance towards new initiatives and developments. This benefits small states with strong human resource capabilities and effective bureaucracies able to take advantage of the various opportunities for influence-seeking in an institutionalized environment
International Institutions and Power Politics:Bridging the Divide
No full textThis book moves scholarly debates beyond the old question of whether or not international institutions matter in order to examine how they matter, even in a world of power politics. Power politics and international institutions are often studied as two separate domains, but this is in need of rethinking because today most states strategically use institutions to further their interests. Anders Wivel, T.V. Paul, and the international group of contributing authors update our understanding of how institutions are viewed among the major theoretical paradigms in international relations, and they seek to bridge the divides.This book moves scholarly debates beyond the old question of whether or not international institutions matter in order to examine how they matter, even in a world of power politics. Power politics and international institutions are often studied as two separate domains, but this is in need of rethinking because today most states strategically use institutions to further their interests. Anders Wivel, T.V. Paul, and the international group of contributing authors update our understanding of how institutions are viewed among the major theoretical paradigms in international relations, and they seek to bridge the divides
Hvorfor bidrog Danmark militært i Kosovo, Afghanistan og Irak?:En analyse af de offentligt fremførte argumenter for Danmarks militære engagement
No full textA pace-setter out of sync?:Danish foreign, security and defence policy and the European Union
No full textA smart state handling a differentiated integration dilemma?:Concluding on Denmark in the European Union
No full textDenmark has traditionally been portrayed as an outlier when it comes to European integration. Depicted as an ‘anxious’ or ‘reluctant’ European and a member of the ‘other’, i.e. Nordic, European Community, this respective view has been commonplace both at the elite and at the public level within Denmark and among discussions within other states on Denmark. This paper tells a slightly different and more complex story of Denmark and the European Union, and seeks to present a more nuanced appreciation of Denmark in the European Union. Playing the game of differentiated integration in a Union characterized by increasing diversity, Denmark has accepted Europeanization as a fundamental condition for policy-making, even in policy areas affected by the Danish opt-outs. From this point of departure, the paper explores Denmark may be seen as an active European handling a differentiated integration dilemma
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