Middle Powers With a Difference
Vast literature on middle-power diplomacy has piled up since the 1980s. But discussions face an inflection moment as a new group of non-western “emerging” middle powers join the “traditional” group. Increasing divergence in behavior among those in the broadened group even renders questionable the idea of them as a single category of middle powers.
This volume raises questions regarding how the largely “Western” bases of previous theorizing need revising in light of the non-western middle powers, many of which are in Asia. A series of case studies shows countries, most notably India, aspiring to be regional or global powers. The authors also observe different attitudes and role perceptions towards the existing international order among today’s middle powers. The traditional, such as Canada and Australia, tend to provide legitimacy to the current order and prefer the status quo, but some emerging powers are critical of the liberal international order, the hegemonic status of the US in particular, advocating reform or revision of global governance.
The authors in unison propose a new way forward in the academic thinking on middle powers, closer and more connected to the evolution of global affairs. This collection demonstrates that middle powers must be rethought continuously with everchanging attributes and behaviors.
The book raises questions over how the largely ‘Western’ bases of previous theorizing need revising.