Small states have always tried to mitigate the implications of power asymmetry through formal and informal small state cooperation. They have formed alliances, coalitions, regional organizations, with the aspiration to produce more security, prosperity, and/or to exert pressure, and/or to introduce policies and norms and finally in order to punch above their weight. Small state studies acknowledge the significance that such formations have for small states (ie Compaore, 2018; Deitelhoff and Wallbott, 2012; Keohane, 1969; Krasner, 1981; Lee, 2009; Long, 2017; Rothstein,1968). In 1999 Wallace argued that “small states within an EU of 20 or more risk marginalization unless they manage to combine- to build sustainable coalitions, to launch joint initiatives” (p. 24).
Indeed, recent cases such as the success of the Visegrad group countries to set the EU’s agenda during the refugee crisis and in the process of top EU jobs selection, the increasing cooperation among lesser powers in the Eastern Mediterranean, the initiative of Nordic leaders to introduce Nordic Solutions to Global challenges show that small state cooperation is on the rise, despite the disarray in the international system, or maybe because of it.
However, the field is missing contemporary, systematic, and comparative research on the topic of small state cooperation. The goal of this workshop is to fill that void. Participants will reflect on the past, present, and future of small states cooperation with a regional focus and they are going to deal with questions such as:
- What forces small states to cooperate?
- What is the goal or the goals of small state cooperation?
- Why do some small states succeed in regional cooperation and others not?
- Are there any normative or political preconditions for small state cooperation and what are they?
- What are the challenges, limitations to small states cooperation?
- What is the relation between small states cooperation and multilateralism?
- What role regional or great powers play in small states cooperation?
- What theories can explain small state cooperation?
- Does small state cooperation differ from region to region?
Organizers invite submissions with a regional focus from experts in the field of small states, both by senior and emerging scholars. The aim is to publish a special issue to a leading peer-reviewed journal or an edited book volume to be published by an international publishing house.
Participants in the Workshop will also take part in an open to all students and members of staff Roundtable Discussion about The International Relations of Small States in the Age of Disorder.
Venue
The workshop is going to take place at the University of Macedonia, Department of International and European Studies.
Organizers
Anders Wivel, Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen
Revecca Pedi, Department of International Relations and European Studies, University of Macedonia
Ilias Kouskouvelis, Department of International Relations and European Studies, University of Macedonia
Kalliopi Chainoglou, Department of International Relations and European Studies, University of Macedonia
Kyriakos Mikelis, Department of International Relations and European Studies, University of Macedonia
Date: 18-19 November 2021
Contact: rpedi@uom.gr
