Small states in International Relations Theory: theory and practice

Abstract

International Relations Theory has largely ignored the security preserving options of small states while emphasizing the strategies and actions employed by great powers. They have little to say about small states. According many theoretical schools of thought, the best options available for small states to preserve their security are ; balance or bandwagon among great powers in the international system, serve as ?buffer states? between great powers or take the advantage of being in a global level forum/organizations. The main goals of the present study are to analyse the small state behavior thorough the lenses of Realism, Liberalism, Rationalism and Constructivism which provide a considerable insight into small states, their diplomacy and related foreign policy strategies and make an attempt to identify elements of International Relations Theory that can help integrating small states in the discipline?s theoretical body. Different practical approaches and behavior patterns of small states are identified within the context of Cold war. The study points out that the concept of small is a situational concept in relation to the particular issues at stake. Realism and Rationalism are the best approaches to explain the behavior of small states yet they do not offer a direct and comprehensive analytical perspective on small states and their behavior in international relations.