The Paradox of Weak State Power: A Research and Literature Overview

Abstract

The primary aim of this article is to present an inventory of the propositions that have been made concerning the ways in which small states can exercise influence over Great Powers. The paradox of relatively resourceless states sometimes being able to exercise substantial influence in international relations received some attention in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The weak state — powerful state relations have, however, also been dealt with in a number of more recent studies, some of which have discussed the 'paradox of weak state power'.

In this article we revisit the subject area and take stock of the work by presenting the factors which have been mentioned as conceivable explanations to the phenom enon. The factors are divided into two groups, with four and three subcategories, respectively. The first group consists of the propositions which focus on 'power bases' and statements about the effects of various basic conditions in the international system. The second group contain the propositions which discuss more 'direct' conceivable causes, such as certain strategies and tactics open to the smaller states.