Small Powers do not have much Choice in Foreign Policy

Small Powers do not have much Choice in Foreign Policy

Introduction

Today, small states or powers turn out to be a vital part of the global world when several states of the state centric international system fit in that group. There is no consensus on the definition of small states; some define small states in terms of degrees of geographical remoteness, resource mobilisation and possession, administrative capacities, market potential, population density and territorial size. According to Wivel, small powers is defined as a state with a population of about 10-15 million in the case of developed countries; and a state with a population approximately 20-30 million in the case of under-developed countries. On the other hand, small state can be defined as an entity that is exceptionally small in territorial size, has a small population size and insufficient economic and human resources.

It has been evident that small states seem arrested in the shaping and making of the foreign policy. Small powers prefer, at times, they are compelled, to reside under the guidance of large states in the neighbourhood who are far better and advanced in all aspects, such as economy, social and power rating scale. On the contrary, small states can play a significant and leading role in international politics and foreign policy when they support each other and are aligned. Thus, this paper assesses and examines the position of small powers in making a choice as regards to the foreign policy.

Discussion

Over the last decades, EU (European Union) has evolved into an international player, which is recognised to have the tendency to be a key force in shaping international occurrences. This propensity has been pulled because of the rapid expansion of EU foreign policy, along with its successive magnificent rounds. The foreign policy making system of EU is restricted rather than facilitated effective, united and cohesive action on the global platform. This has lead in a propensity where large powers of EU to a greater extent form EU foreign policy in more limited settings. Through bringing in considerable institutional changes, such as the Lisbon Treaty seeks to revamp and rationalise policy making of EU foreign policy. It fits a more stable leadership and unified representation that must lead to effective external action of EU.

Although, the most of the member of EU are small states, which has limited base of material resource, their role in global activities of EU is often disregarded and overlooked. The EU foreign policy success is generally considered as dependent on the degree to that the large states of EU, such as United Kingdom, Germany and France, have shared interests. Under this stance, there are fewer options for small powers other than to acknowledge and follow the power of large states.

Scholars have identified small states' behaviour on foreign policy as a multitude of conduct that small powers either exhibit, or are anticipated to carry out. Common behaviours exhibit by small states are they only address narrow scope ...