Small States in World Politics : The Story of Small State Survival, 1648-2016

What is the story behind the paradoxical survival of small and weak states in a world of great powers and crude power politics? The answer lies at the system-level: Small states survival is shaped by the international states system. Resting on three main pillars – theory, history, and quantitative analysis – the study’s key findings draw a picture of the small state as highly dependent on the states system in its efforts to survive. The investigation is focused on the causal link between small state survival, abolishment, or proliferation and the states system in its various historical incarnations. This provides the basis for the main argument: Variations in the states system’s main characteristics create noticeable changes in the system’s hospitality toward the small state and thus impact heavily on small state survivability. These dynamics lead to small state creation and termination, which is reflected in and thus explains the large up- or downward changes in the number of small states over time. 'Small states are survival artists. In a system shaped by power politics, the survival and proliferation of small states is a truly remarkable phenomenon. But what is the actual magnitude of this phenomenon and how can it be explained? What is the story behind the survival of small and weak states in a world of great powers?In this book, Matthias Maass investigates small state survival, proliferation and termination in the states system throughout its historical incarnations. Advancing existing scholarship, he re-focuses the discourse on vulnerability and provides an original long-term perspective on small state survival. His fundamental argument is that variations in the states system's main characteristics create significant changes in the system's hospitality toward the small state - and the friendlier the systemic environment, the better the chances for small state survival and proliferation. Ultimately, he shows that the remarkable upward and downward changes in the number of small states over the past three and a half decades are the result of major shifts in the states system, with all indications being that this story will continue far into the future' --Back cover "What is the story behind the paradoxical survival of small and weak states in a world of great powers and crude power politics? And what explains the dramatic rise and fall in the number of states overtime, following no consistent trend and not showing an immediately obvious direction or pattern? The answers lie at the system-level: Small states survival is shaped by the international states system. Small state survival and proliferation is determined first and foremost by features of and dynamics created at the states system. As the states system changes and evolves the chances for small states to survive or proliferate change as well. In fact, a quantitive investigation confirms this, showing that over the course of more than 31⁄2 centuries, the number of small states did fluctuate widely and at times dramatically. In sum, the small state security is shaped by exogenous, systemic factors, not by small states' own foreign policies."-- Provided by publisher "What is the story behind the paradoxical survival of small and weak states in a world of great powers and crude power politics? And what explains the dramatic rise and fall in the number of states overtime, following no consistent trend and not showing an immediately obvious direction or pattern? The answers lie at the system-level: Small states survival is shaped by the international states system. Small state survival and proliferation is determined first and foremost by features of and dynamics created at the states system. As the states system changes and evolves the chances for small states to survive or proliferate change as well. In fact, a quantitive investigation confirms this, showing that over the course of more than 3ư centuries, the number of small states did fluctuate widely and at times dramatically. In sum, the small state security is shaped by exogenous, systemic factors, not by small states' own foreign policies."-- Provided by publisher What Is The Story Behind The Paradoxical Survival Of Small And Weak States In A World Of Great Powers And Crude Power Politics? And What Explains The Dramatic Rise And Fall In The Number Of States Overtime, Following No Consistent Trend And Not Showing An Immediately Obvious Direction Or Pattern? The Answers Lie At The System-level: Small States Survival Is Shaped By The International States System. Small State Survival And Proliferation Is Determined First And Foremost By Features Of And Dynamics Created At The States System. As The States System Changes And Evolves The Chances For Small States To Survive Or Proliferate Change As Well. In Fact, A Quantitive Investigation Confirms This, Showing That Over The Course Of More Than 31⁄2 Centuries, The Number Of Small States Did Fluctuate Widely And At Times Dramatically.-- Matthias Maass. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 236-258) And Index.