Middle power

Last updated

Leaders of the G20 countries and others present at the 2008 G-20 Washington summit. Most members of the G20 are middle powers while some are great powers. Cumbre de Washington.jpg
Leaders of the G20 countries and others present at the 2008 G-20 Washington summit. Most members of the G20 are middle powers while some are great powers.

A middle power is a state that is not a superpower or a great power, but still exerts influence and plays a significant role in international relations. These countries often possess certain capabilities, such as strong economies, advanced technologies, and diplomatic influence, that allow them to have a voice in global affairs. Middle powers are typically seen as bridge-builders between larger powers, using their diplomatic skills to mediate conflicts and promote cooperation on international issues. [1]

Contents

Middle powers play a crucial role in the international system by promoting multilateralism, cooperation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. They are able to leverage their resources and diplomatic skills to advance their national interests while also contributing to global stability and prosperity. As such, middle powers are an important and often overlooked factor in the complex web of international relations. [2]

The concept of the "middle power" dates back to the origins of the European state system. In the late 16th century, Italian political thinker Giovanni Botero divided the world into three types of states: grandissime (great powers), mezano (middle powers), and piccioli (small powers). According to Botero, a mezano or middle power "has sufficient strength and authority to stand on its own without the need of help from others." [3]

History and definition

No agreed standard method defines which states are middle powers, aside from the broad idea that middle powers are states that have a 'moderate' ability to influence the behaviour of other states, in contrast to small power, which have 'little' ability to influence. Some researchers use Gross National Product (GNP) statistics to draw lists of middle powers around the world. Economically, middle powers are generally those that are not considered too "big" or too "small", however that is defined. However, economy is not always the defining factor. Under the original sense of the term, a middle power was one that had some degree of influence globally, but did not dominate in any one area. However, this usage is not universal, and some define middle power to include nations that can be regarded as regional powers.

According to academics at the University of Leicester and University of Nottingham:

Middle power status is usually identified in one of two ways. The traditional and most common way is to aggregate critical physical and material criteria to rank states according to their relative capabilities. Because countries' capabilities differ, they are categorized as superpowers (or great powers), middle powers or small powers. More recently, it is possible to discern a second method for identifying middle power status by focusing on behavioural attributes. This posits that middle powers can be distinguished from superpowers and smaller powers because of their foreign policy behaviour – middle powers carve out a niche for themselves by pursuing a narrow range and particular types of foreign policy interests. In this way middle powers are countries that use their relative diplomatic skills in the service of international peace and stability. [4]

According to Eduard Jordaan of Singapore Management University:

All middle powers display foreign policy behaviour that stabilises and legitimises the global order, typically through multilateral and cooperative initiatives. However, emerging and traditional middle powers can be distinguished in terms of their mutually-influencing constitutive and behavioural differences. Constitutively, traditional middle powers are wealthy, stable, egalitarian, social democratic and not regionally influential. Behaviourally, they exhibit a weak and ambivalent regional orientation, constructing identities distinct from powerful states in their regions and offer appeasing concessions to pressures for global reform. Emerging middle powers by contrast are semi-peripheral, materially inegalitarian and recently democratised states that demonstrate much regional influence and self-association. Behaviourally, they opt for reformist and not radical global change, exhibit a strong regional orientation favouring regional integration but seek also to construct identities distinct from those of the weak states in their region. [1]

Another definition, by the Middle Powers Initiative (MPI), a program of the Global Security Institute, is that "middle power countries are politically and economically significant, internationally respected countries that have renounced the nuclear arms race, a standing that give them significant international credibility." [5] Under this definition however, nuclear-armed states like India and Pakistan, and every state participant of the NATO nuclear sharing, would not be middle powers.

Middle power diplomacy

According to Laura Neak of the International Studies Association:

Although there is some conceptual ambiguity surrounding the term middle power, middle powers are identified most often by their international behavior–called 'middle power diplomacy'—the tendency to pursue multilateral solutions to international problems, the tendency to embrace compromise positions in international disputes, and the tendency to embrace notions of 'good international citizenship' to guide...diplomacy. Middle powers are states who commit their relative affluence, managerial skills, and international prestige to the preservation of the international order and peace. Middle powers help to maintain the international order through coalition-building, by serving as mediators and "go-betweens," and through international conflict management and resolution activities, such as UN peacekeeping. Middle powers perform these internationalist activities because of an idealistic imperative they associate with being a middle power. The imperative is that the middle powers have a moral responsibility and collective ability to protect the international order from those who would threaten it, including, at times, the great or principal powers. This imperative was particularly profound during the most intense periods of the Cold War. [6]

According to international relations scholar Annette Baker Fox, relationships between middle powers and great powers reveal more intricate behaviors and bargaining schemes than has often been assumed. [7] According to Soeya Yoshihide, "Middle Power does not just mean a state's size or military or economic power. Rather, 'middle power diplomacy' is defined by the issue area where a state invests its resources and knowledge. The Middle Power States avoid a direct confrontation with great powers, but they see themselves as 'moral actors' and seek their own role in particular issue areas, such as human rights, environment, and arms regulations. Middle powers are the driving force in the process of transnational institutional-building." [8] At the same time, scholars have identified relations of antagonism and competition between middle powers, as well as their ability to use soft power to attain their goals, as in the case of Egypt-Israeli rivalry in Africa. [9]

Characteristics of middle power diplomacy include: [8]

The Middle Powers Initiative highlights the importance of middle powers diplomacy. Through MPI, eight international non-governmental organizations are able to work primarily with middle power governments to encourage and educate the nuclear weapons states to take immediate practical steps that reduce nuclear dangers, and commence negotiations to eliminate nuclear weapons. Middle power countries are particularly influential in issues related to arms control, being that they are politically and economically significant, internationally respected countries that have renounced the nuclear arms race, a standing that gives them significant political credibility.

Self-defined by states

The term first entered Canadian political discourse after World War II. Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, for example, called Canada "a power of the middle rank" and helped to lay out the classical definition of Canadian middle power diplomacy. When he was advocating for Canada's election to the United Nations Security Council, he said that while "...the special nature of [Canada's] relationship to the United Kingdom and the United States complicates our responsibilities," Canada was not a "satellite" of either but would "continue to make our decisions objectively, in the light of our obligations to our own people and their interest in the welfare of the international community." [11] Canadian leaders believed Canada was a middle power because it was a junior partner in larger alliances (e.g. NATO, NORAD), was actively involved in resolving disputes outside its own region (e.g. Suez Crisis), was not a former colonial power and therefore neutral in anti-colonial struggles, worked actively in the United Nations to represent the interests of smaller nations and to prevent the dominance of the superpowers (often being elected to the United Nations Security Council for such reasons), and because it was involved in humanitarian and peacekeeping efforts around the world.

In March 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd defined his country's foreign policy as one of "middle power diplomacy" along the lines of similar criteria. Australia would "influence international decision-makers" on issues such as "global economic, security and environmental challenges." [12]

Growing significance in the 21st century

American political analyst Cliff Kupchan describes middle powers as "countries with significant leverage in geopolitics" but that are "less powerful than the world’s two superpowers—the United States and China." [13] Nevertheless, Kupchan argues that middle powers—particularly in the Global South—have more power, agency, and "geopolitical heft" in the 21st century (namely the 2020s) than at any time since the Second World War. He identifies Brazil, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Turkey as leading middle powers and describes them as "swing states" that are capable of creating new power dynamics due to their nonalignment with most great powers. [13] Among the shared characteristics of these six nations are membership in the G20; large and fast-growing economies; and active diplomatic involvement in major events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and international climate action. [13]

Kupchan attributes the emergence of stronger middle powers to several historical developments in the international system, including the weaker bipolarity between the U.S. and China (as opposed to the stricter allegiances of the Cold War and the subsequent U.S. hegemony following the collapse of the Soviet Union) and the gradual trend of deglobalization, which has fostered regionalized geopolitical and geoeconomic relationships wherein middle powers have comparatively greater influence; for example, the fragmenting of the international energy market has purportedly given Saudi Arabia, a major energy exporter, far more weight in now-smaller regional markets. Kupchan also notes the ability of these middle powers to capitalize on rivalries between the major powers in order to further their own influence, interests, or foreign policy initiatives.

Overlaps between great powers and middle powers

The overlaps between the lists of middle powers and great powers show that there is no unanimous agreement among authorities. [14]

Nations such as China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are generally considered to be great powers due to their economic, military or strategic importance, their status as recognized nuclear powers and their permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. Academics also commonly cite Germany, India and Japan as great powers, due to their large, advanced economies and global influence rather than military and strategic capabilities; [15] yet some sources have at times referred to these nations as middle powers. [16] [17]

Some in the field of international relations, such as John Kirton and Roberto Gimeno claim that Italy is a great power due to its status and membership in the G7 and NATO Quint. [18] [19] Moreover, according to a 2014 report by the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS), Italy is listed among the great powers. [20] Although broad academic support for India as a great power is uncommon, some in the field of political science, such as Malik Mohan and Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, consider India to be a great power as well. [21] [22] Likewise, Brazil is sometimes referred as a great power due to its economic power and influence, [23] [24] with Italy at times being considered a great power due to these factors as well as its cultural power.

The following eight countries have at some point in the post–Cold War era been considered great powers but also middle powers by academics or other experts:

The United States [45] [46] and China [47] [48] [49] [50] [51] are considered by many scholars to exceed the traditional criterion of great power, or instead to be superpowers, and are therefore not listed. [52] [53] [54] [55]

List of middle powers

As with the great powers, there is no unanimous agreement among authorities as to which countries are considered middle powers. Lists are often the subject of much debate and tend to place comparatively large countries (e.g. Argentina) alongside relatively small ones (e.g. Norway). [56] Clearly not all middle powers are of equal status; some are considered regional powers and members of the G20 (e.g. Australia), while others could very easily be considered small powers (e.g. Czech Republic). [57] Some larger middle powers also play important roles in the United Nations and other international organisations such as the WTO. As a middle power Canada has had considerable influence in world affairs through its peacekeeping efforts in the late 20th century. [58] Canada is known for its strong commitment to international peace and security and is often called upon to serve as a mediator in conflicts. [58] [59]

The following is a list of 52 countries that have been, at some point in time since the post–Cold War era, considered middle powers by academics or other experts (Members of the G-20 major economies are in bold font, except for the EU member states which are attended under a collective membership of the EU):

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign policy of the United States</span> National foreign policy of the United States

The officially stated goals of the foreign policy of the United States of America, including all the bureaus and offices in the United States Department of State, as mentioned in the Foreign Policy Agenda of the Department of State, are "to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community". Liberalism has been a key component of US foreign policy since its independence from Britain. Since the end of World War II, the United States has had a grand strategy which has been characterized as being oriented around primacy, "deep engagement", and/or liberal hegemony. This strategy entails that the United States maintains military predominance; builds and maintains an extensive network of allies ; integrates other states into US-designed international institutions ; and limits the spread of nuclear weapons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of China</span>

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), has full diplomatic relations with 180 out of the other 192 United Nations member states, Cook Islands, Niue and the State of Palestine. As of 2024, China has had the most diplomatic missions of any state.

Superpower describes a sovereign state or supranational union that holds a dominant position characterized by the ability to exert influence and project power on a global scale. This is done through the combined means of economic, military, technological, political, and cultural strength as well as diplomatic and soft power influence. Traditionally, superpowers are preeminent among the great powers. While a great power state is capable of exerting its influence globally, superpowers are states so influential that no significant action can be taken by the global community without first considering the positions of the superpowers on the issue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International relations</span> Study of relationships between two or more states

International relations (IR), are the interactions among sovereign states. The scientific study of those interactions is also referred to as international studies, international politics, or international affairs. In a broader sense, the study of IR, in addition to multilateral relations, concerns all activities among states—such as war, diplomacy, trade, and foreign policy—as well as relations with and among other international actors, such as intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs), international legal bodies, and multinational corporations (MNCs).

In politics, soft power is the ability to co-opt rather than coerce. It involves shaping the preferences of others through appeal and attraction. Soft power is non-coercive, using culture, political values, and foreign policies to enact change. In 2012, Joseph Nye of Harvard University explained that with soft power, "the best propaganda is not propaganda", further explaining that during the Information Age, "credibility is the scarcest resource".

In international relations, power is defined in several different ways. Material definitions of state power emphasize economic and military power. Other definitions of power emphasize the ability to structure and constitute the nature of social relations between actors. Power is an attribute of particular actors in their interactions, as well as a social process that constitutes the social identities and capacities of actors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign policy</span> Governments strategy in relating with other nations

Foreign policy, also known as external policy, is the set of strategies and actions a state employs in its interactions with other states, unions, and international entities. It encompasses a wide range of objectives, including defense and security, economic benefits, and humanitarian assistance. The formulation of foreign policy is influenced by various factors such as domestic considerations, the behavior of other states, and geopolitical strategies. Historically, the practice of foreign policy has evolved from managing short-term crises to addressing long-term international relations, with diplomatic corps playing a crucial role in its development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great power</span> Nation that has great political, social, and economic influence on a global scale

A great power is a sovereign state that is recognized as having the ability and expertise to exert its influence on a global scale. Great powers characteristically possess military and economic strength, as well as diplomatic and soft power influence, which may cause middle or small powers to consider the great powers' opinions before taking actions of their own. International relations theorists have posited that great power status can be characterized into power capabilities, spatial aspects, and status dimensions.

In international relations, multilateralism refers to an alliance of multiple countries pursuing a common goal. Multilateralism is based on the principles of inclusivity, equality, and cooperation, and aims to foster a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Middle powers play a crucial role in the international system by promoting multilateralism and internationalism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional power</span> State wielding power within a geographical region

In international relations, regional power, since the late 20th century has been used for a sovereign state that exercises significant power within its geographical region. States that wield unrivaled power and influence within a region of the world possess regional hegemony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potential superpower</span> Entity speculated to be or become a superpower

A potential superpower is a sovereign state or other polity that is speculated to be or have the potential to become a superpower; a sovereign state or supranational union that holds a dominant position characterized by the ability to exert influence and project power on a global scale through economic, military, technological, political, and/or cultural means.

A maritime power is a nation with a very strong navy, which often is also a great power, or at least a regional power. A maritime power is able to easily control their coast, and exert influence upon both nearby and far countries. A nation that dominates the world navally is known as a maritime superpower. Many countries that become maritime powers become strong to defend themselves from an extant threat, as the USSR did during the Cold War to defend itself from the United States Navy. In that scenario, it is common for the emerging maritime power to focus largely upon area denial tactics, rather than power projection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BM Jain</span> Indian political scientist

BM Jain is an Indian political scientist and Sinologist, who has developed and popularized psycho-cultural and geopsychological paradigms in the field of international relations (IR) and international security. He has developed the theory of geopsychology in IR as an alternative to mainstream IR theories. He defines it as "a set of perceptions, images, and belief systems, formed of shared history, culture, nationalism, religion, and ethnicity, which shape the mindsets and behavioral patterns of non-state and authoritarian actors and communities inhabiting a specific geographical area." In understanding China's foreign policy behavior, for instance, he has applied the geopsychology theoretical framework that lists core elements of China's geopsychology: Century of humiliation, the Middle Kingdom syndrome, cultural pride, nationalism, strategic culture, and the anti-hegemony discourse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emerging power</span> Nation or block with steadily rising influence in world affairs

An emerging power or rising power is a sovereign state or union of states with significant rising influence in global affairs. Such a power aspires to have a more powerful position or role in international relations, either regionally or globally, and possess sufficient resources and levels of development that such goals are potentially achievable.

The soft power of China is the indirect and non-military influence of the People's Republic of China that can be observed outside the country around the world. While soft power as a concept can be summarized as "get others to do your bidding" without resorting to hard power, it has been argued that the Chinese government uses a different approach to "get others to stop harming your image" which is more in line with its domestic policies.

The People's Republic of China emerged as a great power and one of the three big players in the tri-polar geopolitics (PRC-US-USSR) during the Cold War, after the Korean War in 1950-1953 and the Sino-Soviet split in the 1960s, with its status as a recognized nuclear weapons state in 1960s. Currently, China has one of the world's largest populations, second largest GDP (nominal) and the largest economy in the world by PPP.

The term foremost power has been used by political scientists and historians to describe the allegedly greatest power in the world, or in a given region, during a certain period of history. Multiple empires have been described as such, often for the same time period, resulting in a problematic assessment of the conflicting scholarly opinions and points of view on the matter. There is therefore a general lack of consensus between the various authors and scholars in reference to the nations and empires that were allegedly the world's most powerful at various points in history.

Energy diplomacy is a form of diplomacy, and a subfield of international relations. It is closely related to its principal, foreign policy, and to overall national security, specifically energy security. Energy diplomacy began in the first half of the twentieth century and emerged as a term during the second oil crisis as a means of describing OPEC's actions. It has since mainly focused on the securitization of energy supplies, primarily fossil fuels, but also nuclear energy and increasingly sustainable energy, on a country or bloc basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Swing States</span>

Global Swing States refer to countries whose strategic choices have a significant impact on the international order due to their geopolitical influence, economic power, and diplomatic capabilities. These nations are considered pivotal in shaping global governance structures, balancing power dynamics, and influencing international norms and policies.

References

  1. 1 2 Jordaan, Eduard (2003). "The concept of a middle power in international relations: distinguishing between emerging and traditional middle powers". Politikon. 30 (1): 165–181. doi:10.1080/0258934032000147282. ISSN   0258-9346.
  2. Laurence, Marion (18 October 2023). "Middle Powers". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.013.783. ISBN   978-0-19-084662-6.
  3. Rudd K (2006) Making Australia a force for good, Labor eHerald Archived 27 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Hamill, James; Lee, Donna (April 2001). "A Middle Power Paradox? South African Diplomacy in the Post-apartheid Era". International Relations. 15 (4): 33–59. doi:10.1177/004711701015004004. ISSN   0047-1178. S2CID   144967878.
  5. 1 2 Middle Powers Initiative (2004) Building Bridges: What Middle Power Countries Should Do To Strengthen the NPT Archived 14 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine , GSI
  6. Bishai LS (2000) From Recognition to Intervention: The Shift from Traditional to Liberal International Law Archived 28 February 2002 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Fox, Annette Baker, The Politics of Attraction: Four Middle Powers and the United States (Columbia University Press, 1977).
  8. 1 2 Yoshihide, Soeya. "Middle Power Diplomacy" . Retrieved 18 May 2007.[ dead link ]
  9. Siniver, Asaf; Tsourapas, Gerasimos (2023). "Middle Powers and Soft-Power Rivalry: Egyptian–Israeli Competition in Africa". Foreign Policy Analysis. 19 (2). doi: 10.1093/fpa/orac041 . ISSN   1743-8586.
  10. Patrick James; Mark J. Kasoff (2008). Canadian studies in the new millennium. University of Toronto Press. p. 265. ISBN   978-0-8020-9468-1 . Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  11. H.H. Herstien, L.J. Hughes, R.C. Kirbyson. Challenge & Survival: The History of Canada (Scarborough, ON: Prentice-Hall, 1970). p 411
  12. Shanahan D (2008) Time to go global, urges Rudd Archived 17 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine , The Australian
  13. 1 2 3 Kupchan, Cliff (6 June 2023). "6 Swing States Will Decide the Future of Geopolitics". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  14. Mehmet Ozkan. "A NEW APPROACH TO GLOBAL SECURITY: PIVOTAL MIDDLE POWERS AND GLOBAL POLITICS" Perceptions: Journal of International Affairs XI.1 (2006): 77–95
  15. Encarta – The Great Powers. Archived from the original on 20 May 2004.
  16. 1 2 3 P. Shearman, M. Sussex, European Security After 9/11 (Ashgate, 2004) – According to Shearman and Sussex, both the UK and France were great powers now reduced to middle power status.
  17. Soeya Yoshihide, 'Diplomacy for Japan as a Middle Power, Japan Echo, Vol. 35, No. 2 (2008), pp. 36–41.
  18. Roberto Gimeno & Atelier de cartographie de Sciences Po, "La Russie et les grandes puissances (G8 et Chine)" Russia and the Great Powers (G8 and China), chart], Questions Internationales , No. 27 (septembre–octobre, 2007)
  19. "The Seven-Power Summit as an International Concert". g8.utoronto.ca.
  20. "Why are Pivot states so Pivotal?". Archived from the original on 11 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  21. Strategic Vision: America & the Crisis of Global Power by Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, pp 43–45. Published 2012.
  22. Malik, Mohan (2011). China and India: Great Power Rivals. United States: FirstForumPress. ISBN   978-1935049418.
  23. Kwang Ho Chun (2013). The BRICs Superpower Challenge: Foreign and Security Policy Analysis. Ashgate. ISBN   978-1-4094-6869-1 . Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  24. Heine J (2006) On the Manner of Practising the New Diplomacy, ISN Archived 7 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  25. "Especialistas reclamam reconhecimento do Brasil como potência mundial". IBS News. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  26. "Pela primeira vez Brasil emerge como potência internacional, diz Patriota". 10 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  27. "Brazil – Emerging Soft Power of the World". allAfrica.com. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  28. "Brasil ganha dos Estados Unidos em influência na América do Sul". The Economist . 2 September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 August 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 Éric-André Martin and Marie Krpata (October 2021). The Dilemma of Middle Powers: How AUKUS Has Reshaped the Potential for E3 Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific (PDF). Vol. 166. Ifri, Notes du Cerfa. p. 20. ISBN   979-10-373-0432-2 . Retrieved 8 January 2022. Countries such as Canada, Australia, South Korea, Japan, India and European powers like the UK, Germany and France can be considered as middle powers.
  30. Otte M, Greve J (2000) A Rising Middle Power?: German Foreign Policy in Transformation, 1989–1999, St. Martin's Press
  31. Sperling, James (2001). "Neither Hegemony nor Dominance: Reconsidering German Power in Post Cold-War Europe". British Journal of Political Science. 31 (2): 389–425. doi:10.1017/S0007123401000151.
  32. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | India". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021. The next tier of regional powers — Japan and India — have each lost more ground in 2021 than did China. Both countries have fallen just short of the major power threshold of 40 points in 2021... One result of greater bipolarity is that US allies, such as Japan and Australia, and even key balancing powers, such as India, have never been more dependent on American capacity and willingness to sustain a military balance of power in the region.
  33. 1 2 3 4 Tobias Harris, 'Japan Accepts its "Middle-Power" Fate'. Far Eastern Economic Review Vol. 171, No. 6 (2008), p. 45: 'Japan is settling into a position as a middle power in Asia, sitting uneasily between the U.S., its security ally, and China, its most important economic partner. In this it finds itself in a situation similar to Australia, India, South Korea and the members of Asean.'
  34. Charalampos Efstathopoulosa, 'Reinterpreting India's Rise through the Middle Power Prism', Asian Journal of Political Science, Vol. 19, Issue 1 (2011), p. 75: 'India's role in the contemporary world order can be optimally asserted by the middle power concept. The concept allows for distinguishing both strengths and weakness of India's globalist agency, shifting the analytical focus beyond material-statistical calculations to theorise behavioural, normative and ideational parameters.'
  35. Robert W. Bradnock, India's Foreign Policy since 1971 (The Royal Institute for International Affairs, London: Pinter Publishers, 1990), quoted in Leonard Stone, 'India and the Central Eurasian Space', Journal of Third World Studies, Vol. 24, No. 2, 2007, p. 183: 'The U.S. is a superpower whereas India is a middle power. A superpower could accommodate another superpower because the alternative would be equally devastating to both. But the relationship between a superpower and a middle power is of a different kind. The former does not need to accommodate the latter while the latter cannot allow itself to be a satellite of the former."
  36. Jan Cartwright, 'India's Regional and International Support for Democracy: Rhetoric or Reality?', Asian Survey, Vol. 49, No. 3 (May/June 2009), p. 424: 'India's democratic rhetoric has also helped it further establish its claim as being a rising "middle power." (A "middle power" is a term that is used in the field of international relations to describe a state that is not a superpower but still wields substantial influence globally. In addition to India, other "middle powers" include, for example, Australia and Canada.)'
  37. "Operation Alba may be considered one of the most important instances in which Italy has acted as a regional power, taking the lead in executing a technically and politically coherent and determined strategy." See Federiga Bindi, Italy and the European Union (Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2011), p. 171.
  38. "Italy plays a prominent role in European and global military, cultural and diplomatic affairs. The country's European political, social and economic influence make it a major regional power." See Italy: Justice System and National Police Handbook, Vol. 1 (Washington, D.C.: International Business Publications, 2009), p. 9.
  39. Marco Siddi (October 2018). "Italy's 'Middle Power' Approach to Russia". The International Spectator: Italian Journal of International Affairs. 54 (2): 123–138. doi:10.1080/03932729.2018.1519765. ISSN   0393-2729. S2CID   158301312. The definition of 'middle power' is contested and has been the subject of controversy among scholars. According to the Italian interpretation of this concept, Italy is a middle-ranking power with limited natural and military resources and one that can only achieve its foreign policy goals by expanding its influence in international organisations and through bilateral relations with larger powers.
  40. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Japan". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021. The next tier of regional powers — Japan and India — have each lost more ground in 2021 than did China. Both countries have fallen just short of the major power threshold of 40 points in 2021... One result of greater bipolarity is that US allies, such as Japan and Australia, and even key balancing powers, such as India, have never been more dependent on American capacity and willingness to sustain a military balance of power in the region.
  41. Robert W. Cox, 'Middlepowermanship, Japan, and Future World Order, International Journal, Vol. 44, No. 4 (1989), pp. 823–862.
  42. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Russia". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  43. Neumann, Iver B. (2008). "Russia as a great power, 1815–2007". Journal of International Relations and Development. 11 (2): 128–151 [p. 128]. doi: 10.1057/jird.2008.7 . As long as Russia's rationality of government deviates from present-day hegemonic neo-liberal models by favouring direct state rule rather than indirect governance, the West will not recognize Russia as a fully fledged great power.
  44. Chalmers, Malcolm (May 2015). "A Force for Order: Strategic Underpinnings of the Next NSS and SDSR". Royal United Services Institute. Briefing Paper (SDSR 2015: Hard Choices Ahead): 2. While no longer a superpower (a position it lost in the 1940s), the UK remains much more than a 'middle power'.
  45. From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations since 1776 (Published 2008), by Professor George C. Herring (Professor of History at Kentucky University)
  46. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | US". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021. The United States beat the regional downward trend, gaining points in five Index measures, and overtaking China in two critical rankings: for diplomatic Influence and future resources. But its gains are dogged by a rapid loss of economic influence.
  47. Muldavin, Joshua (9 February 2006). "From Rural Transformation to Global Integration: The Environmental and Social Impacts of China's Rise to Superpower". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  48. "A Point Of View: What kind of superpower could China be?". BBC. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  49. John, Emmanuel (13 June 2019). "China: Emerging superpower".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  50. "China as a global power". China.usc.edu. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  51. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | China". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021. The country lost points in half of the Index measures. But this has not narrowed the country's lead over the rest of the region, with lower ranked countries succumbing to their own losses.
  52. Yu, Katrina. "China-US: Relations fray between the two superpowers". aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  53. "Five big takeaways from the 2019 Asia Power Index". lowyinstitute.org. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  54. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Many Germans believe China will replace US as superpower: survey | DW | 14 July 2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  55. Éric-André Martin and Marie Krpata (October 2021). The Dilemma of Middle Powers: How AUKUS Has Reshaped the Potential for E3 Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific (PDF). Vol. 166. Ifri, Notes du Cerfa. ISBN   979-10-373-0432-2 . Retrieved 8 January 2022. The (US) Department of Defense defined the Indo-Pacific as its "priority theater"...This tilt is an acknowledgment of China's increased role in world economics. China's share in world GDP has risen from 4% in 2000 to 16% today. Since it joined the WTO in 2001 and with the unfolding of the economic and financial crises in 2008–2009, which diminished the West's soft power and economic and financial strengths, China has become the world's powerhouse. This has increasingly led to what may be described today as great-power rivalry between China and the US.
  56. 1 2 Solomon S (1997) South African Foreign Policy and Middle Power Leadership Archived 26 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine , ISS
  57. 1 2 Cabada, Ladislav (November 2005). "The New International Role of Small(er) States" (PDF). The Journal of the Central European Political Science Association. 1 (1): 30–45. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  58. 1 2 Courtney, J.; Courtney, J.C.; Smith, D. (2010). The Oxford Handbook of Canadian Politics. Oxford Handbooks in Politics & International Relations. OUP USA. p. 363. ISBN   978-0-19-533535-4 . Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  59. Juneau, T.; Momani, B. (2022). Middle Power in the Middle East: Canada's Foreign and Defence Policies in a Changing Region. University of Toronto Press. p. 131. ISBN   978-1-4875-2847-8.
  60. 1 2 3 Wurst J (2006) Middle Powers Initiative Briefing Paper, GSI Archived 14 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  61. 1 2 Cooper AF (1997) Niche Diplomacy - Middle Powers after the Cold War Archived 6 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine , palgrave
  62. 1 2 3 4 5 Bernard Wood, 'Towards North-South Middle Power Coalitions', in Middle Power Internationalism: The North-South Dimension, edited by Cranford Pratt (Montreal, McGill-Queen's University Press, 1990).
  63. Martín, Lucas (5 June 2020). "Morocco and Algeria, the struggle for regional leadership". Atalayar. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  64. 1 2 3 4 Andrew F. Cooper, Agata Antkiewicz and Timothy M. Shaw, 'Lessons from/for BRICSAM about South-North Relations at the Start of the 21st Century: Economic Size Trumps All Else?', International Studies Review, Vol. 9, No. 4 (Winter, 2007), pp. 675, 687.
  65. 1 2 Ploughshares Monitor (1997) Scrapping the Bomb: The role of middle power countries Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  66. Gilley, Bruce (10 September 2012). "The Rise of the Middle Powers". The New York Times Company. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  67. "Ethiopia: East Africa's Emerging Giant". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  68. "5 reasons why Ethiopia could be the next global economy to watch". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  69. Africa, Somtribune (29 August 2020). "Ethiopia Can Be Africa's Next Superpower". SomTribune. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  70. "Kenya: A Regional Power in Africa and the Indo-Pacific – Analysis". 21 August 2023.
  71. Martín, Lucas (5 June 2020). "Morocco and Algeria, the struggle for regional leadership". Atalayar. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  72. 1 2 Mace G, Belanger L (1999) The Americas in Transition: The Contours of Regionalism (p 153)
  73. Kim, Jiye (2021). "Between a Regional Hegemon and a Middle Power: The Case of Nigeria". Awkward Powers: Escaping Traditional Great and Middle Power Theory. Global Political Transitions. pp. 221–241. doi:10.1007/978-981-16-0370-9_9. ISBN   978-981-16-0369-3. S2CID   244203245.
  74. Gladys Lechini, Middle Powers: IBSA and the New South-South Cooperation. NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. 40, No. 5 (2007): 28-33: 'Today, a new, more selective South-South cooperation has appeared, bringing some hope to the people of our regions. The trilateral alliance known as the India, Brazil, and South Africa Dialogue Forum, or IBSA, exemplifies the trend ... The three member countries face the same problems and have similar interests. All three consider themselves "middle powers" and leaders of their respective regions, yet they have also been subject to pressures from 'Emerging Middle Powers' Soft Balancing Strategy: State and Perspective of the IBSA Dialogue Forum. Hamburg: GIGA, 2007.
  75. Peter Vale, 'South Africa: Understanding the Upstairs and the Downstairs', in Niche Diplomacy: Middle Powers After the Cold War, edited by Andrew F. Cooper (London: Macmillan, 1997).
  76. Janis Van Der Westhuizen, 'South Africa's Emergence as a Middle Power', Third World Quarterly, Vol. 19, No. 3 (1998), pp. 435-455.
  77. Pfister R (2006) The Apartheid Republuc and African States Archived 12 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine , H-Net
  78. Eduard Jordaan, 'Barking at the Big Dogs: South Africa's Foreign Policy Towards the Middle East', Round Table, Vol. 97, No. 397 (2008), pp. 547-549.
  79. Flemes, Daniel, Emerging Middle Powers' Soft Balancing Strategy: State and Perspectives of the IBSA Dialogue Forum (1 August 2007). GIGA Working Paper No. 57. doi:10.2139/ssrn.1007692
  80. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gilley, Bruce; O'Neil, Andrew (8 July 2014). Middle Powers and the Rise of China. Georgetown University Press. p. 30. ISBN   9781626160842.
  81. 1 2 Yasmi Adriansyah, 'Questioning Indonesia's place in the world', Asia Times (20 September 2011): 'Countries often categorized as middle power (MP) include Australia, Canada and Japan. The reasons for this categorization are the nations' advanced political-economic stature as well as their significant contribution to international cooperation and development. India and Brazil have recently become considered middle powers because of their rise in the global arena—particularly with the emerging notion of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China).'
  82. 1 2 3 4 Behringer RM (2005) Middle Power Leadership on the Human Security Agenda Archived 14 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine , SAGE
  83. Crosby AD (1997) A Middle-Power Military in Alliance: Canada and NORAD, JSTOR
  84. Petersen K (2003) Quest to Reify Canada as a Middle Power, Dissident Voice
  85. 1 2 Inoguchi K (2002) The UN Disarmament Conference in Kyote Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  86. Heine J (2006) On the Manner of Practising the New Diplomacy, ISN Archived 7 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  87. "THE UN DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE IN KYOTO". disarm.emb-japan.go.jp. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  88. Heine, Jorge. "On the Manner of Practising the New Diplomacy". The Centre for International Governance Innovation. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  89. Louis Belanger and Gordon Mace, 'Middle Powers and Regionalism in the Americas: The Cases of Argentina and Mexico', in Niche Diplomacy: Middle Powers After the Cold War, edited by Andrew F. Cooper (London: Macmillan, 1997).
  90. 1 2 Pierre G. Goad, 'Middle Powers to the Rescue?', Far Eastern Economic Review, Vol. 163, No. 24 (2000), p. 69.
  91. Pellicer O (2006) Mexico – a Reluctant Middle Power? Archived 14 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine , FES
  92. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Oosterveld, Willem; Torossian, Bianca. "A Balancing Act: The Role of Middle Powers in Contemporary Diplomacy". Strategic Monitor 2018-2019. Clingendael Institute . Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  93. McKercher, B. J. C. (2012). Routledge Handbook of Diplomacy and Statecraft. Routledge. ISBN   9781136664366. a Middle Power like Peru lack the diplomatic and other resources...
  94. Yasmin, Lailufar (6 January 2022). "Bangladesh at 50: The Rise of A Bangladesh That Can Say No". Security Nexus. 23–2022.
  95. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | North Korea". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  96. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Indonesia". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021. Indonesia has for the first time reached a top-ten placement in the Index. Jakarta now outranks Singapore as the most diplomatically influential player in Southeast Asia.
  97. 1 2 Jonathan H. Ping, Middle Power Statecraft: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Asia Pacific (Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing, 2005).
  98. Anoushiravan Ehteshami and Raymond Hinnesbusch, Syria and Iran: Middle Power in a Penetrated Regional System (London: Routledge, 1997).
  99. Samhat, Nayef H. (2000). "Middle Powers and American Foreign Policy: Lessons for Irano-U.S. Relations". Policy Studies Journal. 28 (1): 11–26. doi:10.1111/j.1541-0072.2000.tb02013.x.
  100. Ahouie M (2004) Iran Analysis Quarterly Archived 17 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine , MIT
  101. Foreign Affairs Committee (2006) Iran
  102. 1 2 3 4 Buzan, Barry (2004). The United States and the Great Powers. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Polity Press. p. 71. ISBN   0-7456-3375-7.
  103. "www.lrb.co.uk".
  104. "www.acronym.org.uk". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  105. "Kazakhstan and the struggle over Central Asia". Spectator USA. 5 June 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  106. Zholdasbekova, Aidar Kurmashev, Dana Akhmedyanova, Houman Sadri, Akbota (1 October 2018). "Kazakhstan's Middle Power Response to Terrorism". Insight Turkey via www.insightturkey.com.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  107. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Malaysia". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  108. Kim R. Nossal and Richard Stubbs, 'Mahathir's Malaysia: An Emerging Middle Power?' in Niche Diplomacy: Middle Powers After the Cold War, edited by Andrew F. Cooper (London: Macmillan, 1997).
  109. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Pakistan". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  110. Barry Buzan (2004). The United States and the great powers: world politics in the twenty-first century. Polity. pp. 71, 99. ISBN   978-0-7456-3374-9 . Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  111. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Philippines". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  112. 1 2 3 Jonathan H. Ping Middle Power Statecraft (p 104)
  113. Cooper, Andrew F. "Middle Powers: Squeezed out or Adaptive?". Public Diplomacy Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  114. Kamrava, Mehran. "Mediation and Qatari Foreign Policy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  115. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | South Korea". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  116. Armstrong DF (1997) South Korea's foreign policy in the post-Cold War era: A middle power perspective Archived 20 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  117. Gilbert Rozman, 'South Korea and Sino-Japanese Rivalry: A Middle Power's Options Within the East Asia Core Triangle', Pacific Review, Vol. 20, No. 2 (2007), pp. 197-220.
  118. Woosang Kim, 'Korea as a Middle Power in Northeast Asian Security', in The United States and Northeast Asia: Debates, Issues, and New Order, edited by G. John Ikenbgerry and Chung-in Moon (Lantham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2008).
  119. Sheridan, Greg (27 November 2008). "The plucky country and the lucky country draw closer". The Australian. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012.
  120. "Kawaguchi asks Saudi Arabia to put pressure on Iraq Japan Policy & Politics". findarticles.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007.
  121. "Saudi Surprise". 26 August 2004. Archived from the original on 26 August 2004.
  122. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Singapore". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021. Uneven economic impacts and recoveries from the pandemic will likely continue to alter the regional balance of power well into the decade. Only Taiwan, the United States and Singapore are now predicted to have larger economies in 2030 than originally forecast prior to the pandemic.
  123. 1 2 Schweller, Randall. "The Concept of Middle Power". Ohio State University . Retrieved 8 February 2020.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  124. "Middle Powers,Norms, and Balancing: ROK's and ASEAN's Normative Balancing against Rising China" (PDF). Chung-Ang University . Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  125. de Swielande, Tanguy Struye; Vandamme, Dorothée; Walton, Dorothée; Wilkins, Thomas (2018). "Chapter 14: The Singapore paradox: The "little red dot" as a "middle power"". In Peng Er, Lam (ed.). Rethinking Middle Powers in the Asian Century: New Theories, New Cases. Routledge. ISBN   9780429873843.
  126. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Taiwan". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021. Uneven economic impacts and recoveries from the pandemic will likely continue to alter the regional balance of power well into the decade. Only Taiwan, the United States and Singapore are now predicted to have larger economies in 2030 than originally forecast prior to the pandemic.
  127. Jacobs, Bruce (22 January 2016). "Taiwan signals its readiness to join the world's democratic powers". the sydney morning herald. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  128. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Thailand". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  129. Meltem Myftyler and Myberra Yyksel, 'Turkey: A Middle Power in the New Order', in Niche Diplomacy: Middle Powers After the Cold War, edited by Andrew F. Cooper (London: Macmillan, 1997).
  130. Laipson, Ellen (3 September 2014). "The UAE and Egypt's New Frontier in Libya". The National Interest. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  131. Evans, Gareth (29 June 2011). "Middle Power Diplomacy" . Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  132. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Vietnam". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021. Three middle powers — Vietnam, Australia and Taiwan — were the only countries to gain in comprehensive power in 2020. When neither the United States nor China can establish undisputed primacy in Asia, the actions and choices of middle powers will become more consequential.
  133. "Middle Powers, Joining Together: The Case of Vietnam and Australia".
  134. 1 2 3 4 "A Balancing Act: The Role of Middle Powers in Contemporary Diplomacy". The Hague Center for Strategic Studies. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  135. Lauber, Volkmar (17 September 2019). Contemporary Austrian Politics. Routledge. ISBN   9780429720987.
  136. 1 2 3 Taylor, Ian (2001). Stuck in Middle GEAR: South Africa's Post-apartheid Foreign Relations. London: Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 19. ISBN   9780275972752.
  137. Caplan G (2006) From Rwanda to Darfur: Lessons learned?, SudanTribune
  138. John, Ravenhill (1988). "Cycles of middle power activism: Constraint andchoice in Australian and Canadian foreign policies" (PDF). Australian Journal of International Affairs. 52 (3): 309–327. doi:10.1080/10357719808445259 . Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  139. 1 2 3 4 Pratt C (1990) Middle Power Internationalism, MQUP
  140. 1 2 I. Handel, Michael (1990). Weak States in the International System. Taylor & Francis. p. 28. ISBN   9780714640730.
  141. Thanos Veremēs (1997) The Military in greek Politics "Black Rose Books"
  142. Higgott RA, Cooper AF (1990) Middle Power Leadership and Coalition Building
  143. Pratt, Cranford (1990). Middle Power Internationalism: The North-South Dimension. Montreal: McGill–Queen's University Press. p. 32. ISBN   9780773507258.
  144. Tonra, Ben; Ward, Eilís (2002). "Chapter 1: Ireland, Peacekeeping and Defence Policy: Challenges and Opportunities". In Murphy, Ray (ed.). Ireland in International Affairs: Interests, Institutions and Identities. Dublin, Republic of Ireland: Institute of Public Administration. pp. 20–21. ISBN   9781902448763.
  145. Gillespie, Paul (17 January 2015). "Representing Ireland – multitasking in a multilateral world". The Irish Times . Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  146. Ishizuka, Katsumi (23 April 2014). "Four: Ireland's peacekeeping policy in the post-Cold War era". Ireland and International Peacekeeping Operations 1960-2000. Routledge. p. 136. ISBN   9781135295264.
  147. Bolton, Matthew; Nash, Thomas (7 May 2010). "The Role of Middle Power–NGO Coalitions in Global Policy: The Case of the Cluster Munitions Ban". Global Policy. 1 (2). Wiley: 172–184. doi: 10.1111/j.1758-5899.2009.00015.x .
  148. 1 2 Spero, Joshua (2004). Bridging the European Divide. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 206. ISBN   9780742535534.
  149. Kirton J (2006) Harper's Foreign Policy Success?
  150. 1 2 according to Yves Lacoste, Géopolitique, Larousse, 2009,p. 134, both Spain and Portugal exert a real influence in Africa and in the Americas.
  151. 1 2 Turkish Policy Quarterly, Volume 4. Turkey: Big Art. 2005.
  152. Wood, Bernald (1 June 1988). The middle powers and the general interest . Ottawa: The North-South Institute. ISBN   9780920494813.
  153. Rudengren J, Gisle P, Brann K (1995) Middle Power Clout: Sweden And The Development Banks Archived 22 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  154. "South African Foreign Policy and Middle Power Leadership - Fairy God-mother, Hegemon or Partner? In Search of a South African Foreign Policy - Monograph No 13, 1997". 26 April 2015. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015.
  155. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | Australia". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021. Three middle powers — Vietnam, Australia and Taiwan — were the only countries to gain in comprehensive power in 2020. When neither the United States nor China can establish undisputed primacy in Asia, the actions and choices of middle powers will become more consequential.
  156. Hazleton WA (2005) Middle Power Bandwagoning? Australia's Security Relationship with the United States [ dead link ], allacademic
  157. "Asia Power Index 2021 Edition | New Zealand". power.lowyinstitute.org. Retrieved 18 December 2021.

Further reading