Awkward Powers: Escaping Traditional Great and Middle Power Theory

Description

This book introduces the editors’ new concept of “Awkward Powers”. By undertaking a critical re-examination of the state of International Relations theorising on the changing nature of the global power hierarchy, it draws attention to a number of countries that fit awkwardly into existing but outdated categories such as “great power” and “middle power”. It argues that conceptual categories pertaining to the apex of the international hierarchy have become increasingly unsatisfactory, and that new approaches focusing on such “Awkward Powers” can both rectify shortcomings on power theorising whilst shining a much-needed theoretical spotlight on significant but understudied states. The book’s contributors examine a broad range of empirical case studies, including both established and rising powers across a global scale to illustrate our conceptual claims. Through such a novel process, we argue that a better appreciation of the de facto international power hierarchy in the 21st century can be achieved. Acknowledgements Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Part I Introduction 1 The Case for Awkward Powers A Global Order in Flux Measuring “National Power” The Conventional Power Hierarchy The Limitations of the Conventional Framework and the Concept of Awkward Powers Awkward Great Powers and Awkward Middle Powers Summary Bibliography Part II Awkward Great Powers 2 The Odd Axis: Germany, Italy, and Japan as Awkward Great Powers Awkwardly Great? Military and Economic Power Political and Diplomatic Capabilities Cultural Influence Awkward Great Powers Bibliography 3 India: An Awkward Great Power? Introduction Framing the Awkwardness of India’s Great Power What: History as Prologue When: International Behaviour as If Norms Mattered How: Playing the Great Game to Get Recognized Conclusion Bibliography 4 A Liminal and Transitional Awkward Power: Brazil Betwixt the Great and Middle Powers Introduction An Awkward Power? A Threefold Power Analysis of Brazil The Realist Perspective: Awkward Capabilities The Liberalist Perspective: Awkward Behaviour The Constructivist Perspective: Awkward Identity Conclusion: A Liminal and Transitional Power References Part III Awkward Middle Powers 5 Thailand as an Awkward Middle Power Introduction Thailand: Measures of Power and Status Thailand as an Awkward Power Thai Foreign Policy and Global Positioning Current Issues in Thai Foreign Policy Conclusion References 6 Middle Power Awkwardness? Indonesia’s Norm Entrepreneurship in ASEAN Introduction Is Indonesia a Middle Power? Middle Powers as Norm Entrepreneurs Indonesia’s Norm Entrepreneurship in ASEAN Promoting Democracy Promoting the Indo-Pacific Conclusion Bibliography 7 Malaysia as an Awkward Middle Power Introduction Is Malaysia’s Status Contested? Political Economy and Statecraft Building Theory from a Statistical Foundation Middle Power Theory and the Ambiguity of the Behavioural Approach and Hybridisation Theory Hybridisation Theory Is Malaysia’s Statecraft Awkward for the Behavioural Approach, and Normal as Comprehended by Hybridisation Theory? Malaysia’s Behaviour is Middle Power Statecraft Conclusion Bibliography 8 The Equivocal Power of South Africa Introduction A World in One Country The Hinterland, Africa A Global Persona Conclusion Bibliography 9 Between a Regional Hegemon and a Middle Power: The Case of Nigeria Introduction Nigeria’s Material Capabilities Nigeria as a Normative Actor Nigerian Self-Perceptions of Power Nigeria’s Systemic Impact A “Crippled Giant”? References 10 The Normative Awkwardness of Pakistan Introduction Fitting the Mould? Pakistan’s Qualification Test as a Middle Power Pakistan’s Awkward Posturing: A Matter of Normative Politics Bibliography 11 Neither This Nor That: Understanding North Korea via Role Theory Introduction North Korea’s Power Revisiting the Power Literature: An Awkward Fit The DPRK Case for Awkward Middle Power Contextualizing North Korea’s Development as a Legitimate State Behavioural Perspectives on Emerging as a Liberated Power: Victim/Champion of World Politics Functional Perspectives on Surviving a Bipolar System: Struggling/Leading Economic Force Hierarchical Perspectives on Growing as a Militarised Entity: Independent/Interdependent Nuclear Power Dichotomous Identities and Awkward Future Reconciling the DPRK’s Identities and Capabilities Revisiting Role Theory via Korean Workers’ Party Addresses Conclusion Bibliography 12 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Rentier Middle Power in Pursuit of Global Leadership of the Islamic Community Introduction The KSA as a Powerful Actor in the MENA Region and Beyond Unrecognised Middle Power? The Key Drivers of Saudi Awkward Middle Power Behaviour Conclusion Bibliography 13 Awkward and Peculiar: On Israel Flying Above Its Designated Positional Pigeonhole Introduction Foundations of Positionality: Key Milestones in Israel’s Rise The Realization of Positionality: The Transformation of Israeli Ambitions and Conduct Israel’s Middle-Power Position Reconsidered Conclusion Bibliography 14 Singapore as an Awkward “Little Red Dot”: Between the Small and Middle Power Status Introduction Fifty Shades of Grey? Between Small and Middle Powerdom Singapore: “Little Red Dot” in a “Sea of Green” Singapore’s Financial, Smart and Soft Power: Not Small at All Singapore’s Influence on China Singapore’s International Rankings: A Middle Power Ideational Power: Bridge-Building in a Multilateral World Domestic Debate: Should Singapore Appropriately Behave like a Small or Middle Power? Demography and Ethnicity: Additional Elements of Awkwardness Conclusion Bibliography 15 Belgium: The Capacities of a Middle Power, but the Ambitions of a Small Power? Introduction The Main Determinants of Power Self-Perception and Status Conclusion: Lack of Ambitions? Bibliography Part IV Conclusion 16 What Makes an Awkward Power? Recurrent Patterns and Defining Characteristics Awkward Powers in an Increasingly Multipolar World Recurrent Patterns of Awkward Powerdom Power Asymmetry: Material Capabilities Power Liminality: Transitional Status Power Frustration: External Acceptance Awkward Pathways: Alternative Governance Awkward Strategies: Coping Mechanisms Awkward Postures: Divergent Behaviours Final Reflections: Opening the Pandora’s Box of IR Theory? Bibliography Index