Abstract
How can the wide fluctuations in the number of small states over the past 350 years be explained? Rejecting the notion that the deaths of over 150 states can be properly explained by poor statecraft, incompetent leadership or major faults in foreign policy decision making of small states, the article claims that vast numbers of state deaths and large-scale state creation are most properly explained at the system level. An argument is developed that describes small state death and proliferation as heavily impacted by the state system. By investigating the core operating principles of the international state system since 1648 in light of their impact on the survivability of small states, the argument emerges that larger rates of survival and proliferation of small states are shaped by broad systemic factors. The article contributes a new facet to the study of the small state and offers a new and general explanation of small state death, creation and proliferation. The findings also challenge International Relation Theory's traditional focus on great powers. It is suggested that the study of the major structuring actors in international politics may be complimented fruitfully by better understanding the system's impact on weak and small states.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 709-728 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | International Politics |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 Nov 11 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Political Science and International Relations
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Small states : Survival and proliferation. / Maass, Matthias.
In: International Politics, Vol. 51, No. 6, 11.11.2014, p. 709-728.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Small states
T2 - Survival and proliferation
AU - Maass, Matthias
PY - 2014/11/11
Y1 - 2014/11/11
N2 - How can the wide fluctuations in the number of small states over the past 350 years be explained? Rejecting the notion that the deaths of over 150 states can be properly explained by poor statecraft, incompetent leadership or major faults in foreign policy decision making of small states, the article claims that vast numbers of state deaths and large-scale state creation are most properly explained at the system level. An argument is developed that describes small state death and proliferation as heavily impacted by the state system. By investigating the core operating principles of the international state system since 1648 in light of their impact on the survivability of small states, the argument emerges that larger rates of survival and proliferation of small states are shaped by broad systemic factors. The article contributes a new facet to the study of the small state and offers a new and general explanation of small state death, creation and proliferation. The findings also challenge International Relation Theory's traditional focus on great powers. It is suggested that the study of the major structuring actors in international politics may be complimented fruitfully by better understanding the system's impact on weak and small states.
AB - How can the wide fluctuations in the number of small states over the past 350 years be explained? Rejecting the notion that the deaths of over 150 states can be properly explained by poor statecraft, incompetent leadership or major faults in foreign policy decision making of small states, the article claims that vast numbers of state deaths and large-scale state creation are most properly explained at the system level. An argument is developed that describes small state death and proliferation as heavily impacted by the state system. By investigating the core operating principles of the international state system since 1648 in light of their impact on the survivability of small states, the argument emerges that larger rates of survival and proliferation of small states are shaped by broad systemic factors. The article contributes a new facet to the study of the small state and offers a new and general explanation of small state death, creation and proliferation. The findings also challenge International Relation Theory's traditional focus on great powers. It is suggested that the study of the major structuring actors in international politics may be complimented fruitfully by better understanding the system's impact on weak and small states.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84927560152&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1057/ip.2014.31
DO - 10.1057/ip.2014.31
M3 - Review article
VL - 51
SP - 709
EP - 728
JO - International Politics
JF - International Politics
SN - 1384-5748
IS - 6
ER -