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Small States in the International System: Challenges and Perspectives

Explore the concept of small states in the international system and their unique challenges including political autonomy, resource availability, and participation in world affairs. Discover strategies for coping with security threats, environmental concerns, and interconnections in a globalized world. Case studies highlight the experiences of Nauru and other small states.

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Small States in the International System: Challenges and Perspectives

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  1. SmáríkiStór Heimur

  2. What is a ‘Small’ State? Political – autonomy of action Size – resource availability Population – ability to participate in world affairs

  3. Who Are the Small States? IF Denmark at 5.5 million is the standard THEN 91 UN countries are ‘small’ states

  4. What to Look at in Small States • Capabilities • Important in any system that has more than merely predatory actors • Institutional participation • Laws, norms, regimes • International relations • Activity in all levels of the international system

  5. A Pessimistic ViewDavid Vital’sInequality of Small States, 1980 • Vital’s criteria for a Small state • 10-15 million if advanced • 20-30 million if not advanced • this makes 141 UN members small states • Picture is a “somber one” • Survival of small states is precarious

  6. A Neutral ViewMichael Handel’s Weak States in the International System, 1990 • Circumstances vary among small states, vide the G77 • Judgments must be based on • nature of system • geographic location of state

  7. The Classic ViewThucydidesHistory of the Peloponnesian Wars • The strong take what they will – The weak suffer what they must - Melian Dialogue

  8. A New Security Paradigm and Small States • Broadening security • Order (the traditional focus) • Environment • Interconnections (e.g., finance, Internet) • Extending security • The state (the traditional focus) • The individual • The system

  9. Broadening security: Order“4th Generation” warfare • Non-western ways of war • Terrorism and other methods common • Disruption of any order • Non-state actors

  10. Broadening Security: OrderTerrorism • Small states as targets • Sri Lanka • Kyrgyz-Uzbek border • Nauru Suicide bombers originate in Tamil rebellion

  11. Broadening Security: EnvironmentOil spills in US and Nigeria How do small states cope when the oil comes to them?

  12. Volcanoes in Iceland

  13. Broadening Security: InterconnectionsCyber War • Attacks on small states 2007/8 • Estonia • Georgia • Kyrgyzstan • Azerbaijan • South Ossetia

  14. Broadening Security: InterconnectionsFinance Krónur vs. Euro, 2008 – Blue (Iceland), Brown (Offshore)

  15. Broadening Security: InterconnectionsPersonal Data Google collecting wi fi data in Singapore

  16. Extending Security: The State • Dysfunctional small states • Challenging neighborhoods • Large, ominous neighbors • New nuclear powers?

  17. Extending Security: The IndividualWomen • Education • Inheritance/ property • Genital mutilation • Participation

  18. Extending Security: The IndividualHuman Rights • Refugees • Citizenship • Rule of law • Human trafficking How do small states, e.g., Macedonia, cope with refugee influx?

  19. Extending Security: The SystemResource scarcity The ‘desertification’ of sub-Saharan Africa

  20. Case Study:Nauru

  21. Nauru

  22. Nauru

  23. Nauru’s Saga • Phosphate mining 1960s and 70s • World’s highest GDP per capita in 1972

  24. Nauru’s ‘Development’ • Phosphate mining 60s and 70s • Musical on Leonard da Vinci 1983 • $50 million • closed in rehearsals in London

  25. Nauru’s ‘Development’ • Phosphate mining 60s and 70s • Musical on Leonard da Vinci 1983 • Money laundering in 1980s • 1st country to be cited by OECD for violations

  26. Nauru’s ‘Development’ • Phosphate mining 60s and 70s • Musical on Leonard da Vinci 1983 • Money laundering 1980s • Afghan refugee camp 1990s • Inmates break out and take over government

  27. Nauru today

  28. Extending Security: The SystemCommon heritages – water scarcity

  29. How to deal with big powers

  30. Extending SecuritySmall States and Big Powers • Aggregating small state interests • Affinity coalitions: e.g., Nordic Council, League of Arab States, Small Island States • Institutions of all powers

  31. Extending Security: The SystemSmall States as Models • Singapore – order • Malta – international law • Baltics - minority rights • Norway - peace negotiation • Federated States of Micronesia - conservation

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