Weak States in International Relations Theory: The Cases of Armenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Lebanon, and Cambodia

ISBN-13: 9781137543882 / Angielski / Twarda / 2015 / 242 str.

Hanna Samir Kassab

Opis

Building on established theory and data, Hanna Samir Kassab seeks to explain why weak states exist within the international system. Kassab analyzes weak state behavior and subsequent changes in great power grand strategy to argue that states which are weak and vulnerable can practice an unexpected degree of autonomy unfettered by great powers. Given systemic vulnerability stemming from underdevelopment, these weak states pursue welfare in order to survive; security is a secondary concern. Such non-threatening behavior allows weak states to conduct business with great powers at opposite ends of the balance of power, leading these powers to compete over small state support, especially within forums of global governance. The cases of Armenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Lebanon, and Cambodia in this book illustrate the explanatory power of this progressive theory in international relations.

Recenzje

'Since the field of international relations is dominated by varieties of realism, especially structural realism, it is largely irrelevant for understanding the policies of 95 percent of the states in the world. It really focuses on the competitive relations of the great powers and little else. In this innovative study Hanna Kassab demonstrates that, with modifications of a few of its assumptions, a realist perspective can help one understand that the behavior of weak states is not limited to bandwagoning.'

Roger E. Kanet, University of Miami, USA

O autorze

Hanna Samir Kassab is Visiting Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department at Northern Michigan University, USA. He has published articles on International Relations Theory, National Security, politics of the Far-right and Nationalism, acts of Political Suicide, and Foreign Policy.