Machiavellian Strategy of Middle Power : Focusing on Germany

Abstract Differentiation is a foundational premise in the study of middle powers, as evident in the way that the relevant literature distinguishes these states from the great powers and smaller states. Despite the underlying assumption of differentiation, the middle power literature has rarely engaged theoretically with the concept. This paper seeks to make more explicit this basis of differentiation in the study of middle powers, by advancing a new framework for middle power behavior that draws on differentiation theory. The framework makes the case that it is the differentiated structure in international politics – a departure from the dominant neorealist understanding of structure – that enables the behavior of middle powers. The effects of this differentiated structure are activated by the relative, relational, and social power politics that middle powers engage in, in a particular time and place. Through this process, middle powers are able to leverage their ‘middlepowerness’ in international politics by weakening stratification particularly where the great powers are concerned, and strengthening functional differentiation through taking on key and distinctive roles. By putting differentiation at the core of a framework for middle power behavior, the paper strives to make a constructive contribution to the theorizing of middle powers.

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Middle power behavior under multipolarity: Indonesia and Malaysia in the Middle East since the Arab uprisings

Asian Politics & Policy ◽

10.1111/aspp.12577 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Guy Burton

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

Middle Power ◽

Arab Uprisings

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Reasserting (middle) power by looking southwards: Italy’s policy towards Africa

Contemporary Italian Politics ◽

10.1080/23248823.2021.1957309 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Giuseppe Dentice ◽

Federico Donelli

Keyword(s):

Middle Power

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Korea’s Soft Power as an Alternative Approach to Africa in Development Cooperation

African and Asian Studies ◽

10.1163/15692108-12341298 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 249-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kyu-Deug Hwang

Keyword(s):

Soft Power ◽

Mineral Resources ◽

Development Cooperation ◽

Global Issues ◽

Middle Power ◽

Global Power ◽

Alternative Approach ◽

Core Elements ◽

Rise Of China ◽

The Rise Of China

* The first version of this paper was presented at the Fifth European Conference on African Studies (ecas 5), which was held on June 27-29, 2013 at iscte-iul Lisboa, Portugal. I am deeply grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their very helpful comments on the previous drafts. This work was supported by Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Research Fund of 2014. The rise of China as an emergent global power in gaining access to energy and mineral resources is one of the main factors for reinforcing Korea’s aid to Africa. Although Korea recognizes the limits of searching for ways of furthering its ‘resource diplomacy’ based primarily on economic pragmatism, the Korean government has strived to utilize foreign aid as a tool for soft power. Korea’s perspective is to play a bigger role in addressing global issues as well as to aspire in becoming a middle power, in the sense that it is not regionally influential in spite of its growing powers. Given that middle power diplomacy tends to pursue a norm-based approach and also provides knowledge and/or ideas relevant to a unique niche that it finds important, it is characteristically soft power-oriented. Taking into account the non-material or ideational factors as well as material ones, constructivists in the field of international relations (ir) recognize the power of ideas, norms, institutions, and interests, which contain the core elements of what Nye calls soft power. In this context, this paper attempts to illuminate some of the important questions as to why and how Korea has endeavored to focus on developing its soft power strategy toward Africa in the new millennium.

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