Small States in International Relations: Some Theoretical Aspects

Abstract

An important trend in the development of international relations in the second half of the 20th−early 21st centuries is the growing significance of small states in international relations. From passive “pawns” in the big political games of the great powers, they are turning into active players capable of pursuing their own national interests in the international arena. During the Cold War period, European neutral states acquired unique experience in fruitful cooperation in international organizations, peaceful mediation, and peacemaking. Multilateral diplomacy, renunciation of the use of force, and striving for a peaceful political resolution of conflicts somewhat predetermine the interest in studying the experience of small states. The decline in the ability of the leading great powers to resolve conflicts effectively in the periphery of the international system, on the one hand, and the capability of small states to generate new ideas and norms in international relations, on the other, create preconditions for a further increase in the role of small states in international relations. To understand the nature of international relations in general and the formation and behavior of modern coalitions and alliances in particular, it is necessary to study not only the great powers but also small states, which make up the vast majority of countries. This article is aimed to identify the main stages of the study of small states in international relations, to analyze the main approaches to the definition of the concept of small states, to consider the factors of formation of the foreign policy of small states through the prism of some theories of international relations, and to elucidate the features of the foreign policy behavior of small states in international relations.