Non-Western small states:activists or survivors?

Abstract

In this introduction to the collection, we explain its focus on non-Western small states. While the terms ‘non-Western’ and ‘small states’ are problematic – we discuss these problems here – the smallness and non-Westerness of the states studied by the contributing authors set them apart in a way that has attracted little academic attention so far. They allow them to operate with fewer normative and practical constraints than their bigger, Western counterparts; offer them a wide range of (often historically forged) political ties; and force them to draw on a diversity of approaches and strategic thinking, and a creativity, that they are too rarely credited for. Non-Western small states, rather than being mere survivors constrained to the world’s periphery, are better understood as activist states intent on existing. The collection offers a range of analytical keys to make sense of these states and their role in the international scene.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23802014.2016.1231012
Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences & Humanities > Politics, History and International Relations
College of Business and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences & Humanities > Aston Centre for Europe
Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Third World Thematics on 04/10/16, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/23802014.2016.1231012
Publication ISSN: 2379-9978
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2024 08:05
Date Deposited: 05 Oct 2016 14:00
PURE Output Type: Special issue
Published Date: 2016-10-04
Published Online Date: 2016-10-04
Accepted Date: 2016-08-23
Submitted Date: 2016-06-15
Authors: Gibert, Marie V.
Grzelczyk, Virginie (ORCID Profile 0000-0001-9802-7161)

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