A new framework for analyzing global power dynamics and the neglected role of small states
In the decades since the Cold War, international relations scholarship has predominantly examined global power dynamics through the lens of great powers namely the United States and rising powers such as China. This narrow focus overlooks a critical component of the international system: small states. As global power structures rapidly evolve and traditional alliances become increasingly fluid, understanding how small states strategically position themselves is crucial.
Small States in a Shifting International Order provides a fresh examination of how small states navigate complex geopolitical landscapes. Drawing on case studies from diverse countries—including the Baltic states, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ghana, Jordan, Nepal, and Sweden—the international group of contributors to this volume reveal the sophisticated foreign policy strategies that enable small states to pursue their security amid significant power asymmetries and a shifting international order. By demonstrating how small states are not merely passive actors but active architects of their strategic environments, this volume provides a groundbreaking framework for analyzing international relations in an era of unprecedented complexity and interconnectedness.
Scholars and advanced students of international relations will find Small States in a Shifting International Order an invaluable resource that transforms our understanding of global politics.
About the Author
Neal G. Jesse is professor is the Department of Political Science at Bowling Green State University. Steven E. Lobell is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Utah. Kristen P. Williams is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Clark University.
