This thesis examines the case of Mexico as middle power. More precisely, it tries to see what were the limitations and possibilities that Mexico faced in the period 2000-2012, while trying to engage more in the international system and rise its international profile. The PAN governments that were in power at that time devoted much of their energy trying to better international position of Mexico, and implicitly the thesis will answer the question of how successful were their strategies.

The world is currently experiencing a power transition along with China's rise as a superpower. The decline of the United States as the unipolar world-leader is one of the great debates in international relations theory. However, this debate has focused on great powers and left out the role of the middle powers. In this thesis, the premise is that middle powers have an influential position in the world order. Among these, Sweden has had little scholarly attention. This thesis analysed Sweden's middle power role and policy formulations with respect to China, and how these two dimensions have changed over the period 2001-2019. By combining middlepower theory with role theory, a content analysis of government documents is conducted in a longitudinal study. The results indicated that Sweden increasingly focuses on its role of supporting the liberal world order, compared to the emphasis on its role of good international citizenship in 2001. Sweden's tone on China also showed increasingly cautious expressions over time. This shift in Sweden's middle power role is of significance since middle powers mostly hedge as a response to China's rise. The study of middle powers contributes to the broader question of how we can understand China's rise.

The main aim of this dissertation is to understand the change of Turkish state identity related to foreign policy behaviors after the collapse of the Cold War structure. The research question of this dissertation is why and how Turkey has constructed middle power identity, which is based on liberal foreign policies. This dissertation examines two main purposes. First purpose is to analyze AKP&rsquo / s liberalism based middle power policies from 2005 to 2010 toward the Middle East. In this dissertation, the liberal policies based on middle power are defined as implementing functional diplomacy, mediation role, niche di plomacy, coalition diplomacy, and norm diffusion. Second purpose is to understand the process of how the state constructs its policies. To that end, this dissertation takes notice of state identity, which is constructed by changes of circumstances, norms, state self-perception, and the perceptions of others. This dissertation assumes that the concept of middle power is one of Turkey&rsquo / s state identities in the area of foreign policy. Turkey&rsquo / s middle power behaviors make Turkey consciously aware of its middle power status. This dissertation analyzes the existence of two steps that are pathways for Turkey to understand itself as a liberal middle power in the international arena. The first step is to analyze the policies of &Ouml / zal, Erbakan and Cem. The second step is to examine AKP&rsquo / s foreign policy experiences and ideas, especially the ideas of Ahmet Davutoglu.

This dissertation examines Canada’s nuclear export and non-proliferation policy. It demonstrates that contrary to the received wisdom on nuclear behaviour, Canada does not think ‘strategically’ in the nuclear field. I argue that while the decision-making of great powers may be straightforward in the nuclear field, non-great powers can afford to be more ambivalent and even less cautious. The focus of the dissertation is on Canada’s nuclear export decisions from the 1950s to the late 1970s. My contention is that middle powers, like Canada, are rarely influenced by military-strategic interests, but that they, nonetheless, act according to their own particular self-interests when determining whether or not to export nuclear materials and technology. In looking at Canada’s nuclear decision-making from its entry into the nuclear age until the late 1970s, the dissertation offers three findings. First, Canada does not make decisions that fit a military-strategic calculus. Second, Canada is often ambivalent in the nuclear field. I argue that Canada can afford to be ambivalent because constraints on its decision-making do not stem primarily from security concerns or existential threats but from beliefs as to what Canada should do and should be in global affairs. Finally, Canada’s nuclear export and non-proliferation policies have been defined primarily by its place – both real and imagined – in the world as a middle power. The argument rests on insights draw from liberal IR theory as well as domestic politics explanations of nuclear behaviour. My contention is that Canada’s decision-making has been influenced by domestically held beliefs and perceptions of its identity – that is, where Canada ranks on the figurative power spectrum and what values it professes in relation to other actors in the international system. My research thus makes a contribution to the literature on nuclear supply and on the broader literature on nuclear behaviour, more generally.

A presente tese possui como tema o estudo da inserção internacional de países intermediários no Sistema Multilateral de Comércio (SMC). Devido à existência de variadas maneiras de categorizar os países que compõem o estrato intermediário do Sistema Internacional (SI), entendeu-se como apropriado o foco no protagonismo internacional das Potências Médias para essa categorização. Dentro deste contexto, a instituição do Acordo Geral sobre Tarifas e Comércio (GATT) além de unir uma gama diversificada de países, também representou a criação de um local propício para a atuação de países de segunda ordem em uma conjuntura política e econômica internacional carente de nichos de oportunidades para protagonismos que não de potências hegemônicas. Ademais, observou-se que a partir de dado momento histórico, determinados países em desenvolvimento de reconhecido protagonismo, cristalizaram em suas atuações comportamentos que passaram a ser rotulados como sendo de Potência Média. Desta forma, considerando este cenário e aceitando o travamento da Rodada de Doha da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC) como um momento decisivo para a afirmação do papel de determinados países na estruturação do atual SMC, elaborou-se o seguinte problema de pesquisa: Existem elementos teóricos e empíricos que corroboram o resgate e (re)definição do conceito de Potência Média no mundo contemporâneo? A busca por esta resposta suscitou outra questão derivada dela: É possível afirmar que atualmente se observam determinados países praticando protagonismos que podem ser considerados como sendo de Potência Média? Para responder estas questões, realizou-se: (a) uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os esforços da literatura para a categorização de países intermediários no SI; (b) a construção de um modelo para o enquadramento de países no conceito de Potência Média; (c) uma análise da evolução histórica, e das dinâmicas econômicas e políticas que foram determinantes para a condução e moldagem do SMC; e (d) a aplicação dos parâmetros para o enquadramento de países no conceito de Potência Média através do modelo proposto na presente tese. Os resultados encontrados sugerem que Argentina e Brasil foram os países que melhor atenderam os requisitos exigidos pelo modelo para o enquadramento de países no conceito de Potência Média. A utilização de critérios menos restritos dentro do modelo proposto possibilita o enquadramento de Chile, Índia, Indonésia e Colômbia, ao lado de Brasil e Argentina, no grupo das Potências Médias. / This thesis has as its theme the study of the international insertion of intermediate countries in the Multilateral Trading System (MTS). Due to the fact that there are different ways to categorize the countries that make up the intermediate stratum of the International System (IS), it was understood as appropriate for this categorization to focus on the international behavior of Middle Powers. Within this context, the establishment of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) promoted, in addition to the union of a diverse range of countries, the creation of an auspicious place for the performance of second-tier countries in a political context lacking niches of opportunities for protagonists that are not hegemonic powers. Moreover, it was observed that from a given historical moment, certain developing countries with a widely recognized international role, crystallized in their performances behaviors which are now labeled as those of Middle Powers. Thus, considering this scenario and accepting the locking of the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a turning point for the affirmation of the role of certain countries in structuring the current MTS, the following research problem was elaborated: Are there theoretical and empirical elements that support the rescue and (re)definition of the Middle Power concept in the modern world? The search for this answer raised another question derived from it: Can it be said that currently certain countries are practicing protagonisms that can be considered to be of a Middle Power? To answer these questions, we took the following steps: (a) a review of the literature efforts for the categorization of intermediate countries in the IS; (b) the construction of a model for the classification of countries within the concept of Middle Power; (c) an analysis of the historical evolution and the economic and political dynamics that were crucial to driving and shaping the MTS; and (d) the application of the criteria for classification of countries into the concept of Middle Power through the model proposed in this thesis. The results suggest that Argentina and Brazil were the countries that better fit the requirements of the model for classification of countries in the concept of Middle Power. The use of less restrictive criteria within the proposed model enables the framing of Chile, Índia, Indonesia and Colombia, along with Brazil and Argentina, in the group of Middle Powers.

A presente tese possui como tema o estudo da inserção internacional de países intermediários no Sistema Multilateral de Comércio (SMC). Devido à existência de variadas maneiras de categorizar os países que compõem o estrato intermediário do Sistema Internacional (SI), entendeu-se como apropriado o foco no protagonismo internacional das Potências Médias para essa categorização. Dentro deste contexto, a instituição do Acordo Geral sobre Tarifas e Comércio (GATT) além de unir uma gama diversificada de países, também representou a criação de um local propício para a atuação de países de segunda ordem em uma conjuntura política e econômica internacional carente de nichos de oportunidades para protagonismos que não de potências hegemônicas. Ademais, observou-se que a partir de dado momento histórico, determinados países em desenvolvimento de reconhecido protagonismo, cristalizaram em suas atuações comportamentos que passaram a ser rotulados como sendo de Potência Média. Desta forma, considerando este cenário e aceitando o travamento da Rodada de Doha da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC) como um momento decisivo para a afirmação do papel de determinados países na estruturação do atual SMC, elaborou-se o seguinte problema de pesquisa: Existem elementos teóricos e empíricos que corroboram o resgate e (re)definição do conceito de Potência Média no mundo contemporâneo? A busca por esta resposta suscitou outra questão derivada dela: É possível afirmar que atualmente se observam determinados países praticando protagonismos que podem ser considerados como sendo de Potência Média? Para responder estas questões, realizou-se: (a) uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os esforços da literatura para a categorização de países intermediários no SI; (b) a construção de um modelo para o enquadramento de países no conceito de Potência Média; (c) uma análise da evolução histórica, e das dinâmicas econômicas e políticas que foram determinantes para a condução e moldagem do SMC; e (d) a aplicação dos parâmetros para o enquadramento de países no conceito de Potência Média através do modelo proposto na presente tese. Os resultados encontrados sugerem que Argentina e Brasil foram os países que melhor atenderam os requisitos exigidos pelo modelo para o enquadramento de países no conceito de Potência Média. A utilização de critérios menos restritos dentro do modelo proposto possibilita o enquadramento de Chile, Índia, Indonésia e Colômbia, ao lado de Brasil e Argentina, no grupo das Potências Médias. / This thesis has as its theme the study of the international insertion of intermediate countries in the Multilateral Trading System (MTS). Due to the fact that there are different ways to categorize the countries that make up the intermediate stratum of the International System (IS), it was understood as appropriate for this categorization to focus on the international behavior of Middle Powers. Within this context, the establishment of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) promoted, in addition to the union of a diverse range of countries, the creation of an auspicious place for the performance of second-tier countries in a political context lacking niches of opportunities for protagonists that are not hegemonic powers. Moreover, it was observed that from a given historical moment, certain developing countries with a widely recognized international role, crystallized in their performances behaviors which are now labeled as those of Middle Powers. Thus, considering this scenario and accepting the locking of the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a turning point for the affirmation of the role of certain countries in structuring the current MTS, the following research problem was elaborated: Are there theoretical and empirical elements that support the rescue and (re)definition of the Middle Power concept in the modern world? The search for this answer raised another question derived from it: Can it be said that currently certain countries are practicing protagonisms that can be considered to be of a Middle Power? To answer these questions, we took the following steps: (a) a review of the literature efforts for the categorization of intermediate countries in the IS; (b) the construction of a model for the classification of countries within the concept of Middle Power; (c) an analysis of the historical evolution and the economic and political dynamics that were crucial to driving and shaping the MTS; and (d) the application of the criteria for classification of countries into the concept of Middle Power through the model proposed in this thesis. The results suggest that Argentina and Brazil were the countries that better fit the requirements of the model for classification of countries in the concept of Middle Power. The use of less restrictive criteria within the proposed model enables the framing of Chile, Índia, Indonesia and Colombia, along with Brazil and Argentina, in the group of Middle Powers.

A presente tese possui como tema o estudo da inserção internacional de países intermediários no Sistema Multilateral de Comércio (SMC). Devido à existência de variadas maneiras de categorizar os países que compõem o estrato intermediário do Sistema Internacional (SI), entendeu-se como apropriado o foco no protagonismo internacional das Potências Médias para essa categorização. Dentro deste contexto, a instituição do Acordo Geral sobre Tarifas e Comércio (GATT) além de unir uma gama diversificada de países, também representou a criação de um local propício para a atuação de países de segunda ordem em uma conjuntura política e econômica internacional carente de nichos de oportunidades para protagonismos que não de potências hegemônicas. Ademais, observou-se que a partir de dado momento histórico, determinados países em desenvolvimento de reconhecido protagonismo, cristalizaram em suas atuações comportamentos que passaram a ser rotulados como sendo de Potência Média. Desta forma, considerando este cenário e aceitando o travamento da Rodada de Doha da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC) como um momento decisivo para a afirmação do papel de determinados países na estruturação do atual SMC, elaborou-se o seguinte problema de pesquisa: Existem elementos teóricos e empíricos que corroboram o resgate e (re)definição do conceito de Potência Média no mundo contemporâneo? A busca por esta resposta suscitou outra questão derivada dela: É possível afirmar que atualmente se observam determinados países praticando protagonismos que podem ser considerados como sendo de Potência Média? Para responder estas questões, realizou-se: (a) uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os esforços da literatura para a categorização de países intermediários no SI; (b) a construção de um modelo para o enquadramento de países no conceito de Potência Média; (c) uma análise da evolução histórica, e das dinâmicas econômicas e políticas que foram determinantes para a condução e moldagem do SMC; e (d) a aplicação dos parâmetros para o enquadramento de países no conceito de Potência Média através do modelo proposto na presente tese. Os resultados encontrados sugerem que Argentina e Brasil foram os países que melhor atenderam os requisitos exigidos pelo modelo para o enquadramento de países no conceito de Potência Média. A utilização de critérios menos restritos dentro do modelo proposto possibilita o enquadramento de Chile, Índia, Indonésia e Colômbia, ao lado de Brasil e Argentina, no grupo das Potências Médias. / This thesis has as its theme the study of the international insertion of intermediate countries in the Multilateral Trading System (MTS). Due to the fact that there are different ways to categorize the countries that make up the intermediate stratum of the International System (IS), it was understood as appropriate for this categorization to focus on the international behavior of Middle Powers. Within this context, the establishment of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) promoted, in addition to the union of a diverse range of countries, the creation of an auspicious place for the performance of second-tier countries in a political context lacking niches of opportunities for protagonists that are not hegemonic powers. Moreover, it was observed that from a given historical moment, certain developing countries with a widely recognized international role, crystallized in their performances behaviors which are now labeled as those of Middle Powers. Thus, considering this scenario and accepting the locking of the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a turning point for the affirmation of the role of certain countries in structuring the current MTS, the following research problem was elaborated: Are there theoretical and empirical elements that support the rescue and (re)definition of the Middle Power concept in the modern world? The search for this answer raised another question derived from it: Can it be said that currently certain countries are practicing protagonisms that can be considered to be of a Middle Power? To answer these questions, we took the following steps: (a) a review of the literature efforts for the categorization of intermediate countries in the IS; (b) the construction of a model for the classification of countries within the concept of Middle Power; (c) an analysis of the historical evolution and the economic and political dynamics that were crucial to driving and shaping the MTS; and (d) the application of the criteria for classification of countries into the concept of Middle Power through the model proposed in this thesis. The results suggest that Argentina and Brazil were the countries that better fit the requirements of the model for classification of countries in the concept of Middle Power. The use of less restrictive criteria within the proposed model enables the framing of Chile, Índia, Indonesia and Colombia, along with Brazil and Argentina, in the group of Middle Powers.

Masters of Commerce / Highly enriched uranium (HEU) is one of the most dangerous materials in the world, because it is a key ingredient in making a nuclear bomb. If a terrorist organisation can get HEU, it would be close to making a nuclear bomb. After South Africa disarmed its nuclear weapons, it kept HEU that was extracted from the nuclear bombs. The US tried to persuade South Africa to blend down its HEU into low enriched uranium (LEU) or give it up for safekeeping. However, South Africa refused to give it up. After a breach at Pelindaba, a national key point facility where South Africa stores its HEU, the US intensified its efforts to pressure South Africa to give its HEU up. It even promised incentives to South Africa should they agree to give it up, but South Africa refused. The US used the nuclear terrorism narrative to justify its initiative to eliminate vulnerable materials in the world. However, South Africa is yet to be swayed. This is odd since South Africa's refusal can negatively affect its credentials as a nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament champion and its image as a norm entrepreneur. The objective of the study was to understand the role played by HEU in South Africa's nuclear diplomacy. It was to explore HEU as a factor in the state's nuclear diplomacy and to understand the power of having HEU in nuclear negotiations, as well as what SA intends to do with its HEU. The study is framed theoretically by drawing on foreign policy theory, namely middle-power theory, and revisionism. It juxtaposed middle power, reformist, and revisionist positions with status quo foreign policy to analyse the role of HEU in South Africa's nuclear diplomacy. As a middle power with a moral high ground, South Africa hoped that it can affect change in the nuclear regime. However, when this did not occur its foreign policy shifted to a revisionist character that is discontent with the status quo in the nuclear regime. SA is dissatisfied with the current nuclear order and wants it revised towards liberal values such as equality and non-discrimination. It views the current nuclear order as nuclear apartheid. Therefore, South Africa uses HEU as leverage against nuclear weapon states in nuclear diplomacy. It is using HEU as an act of defiance against nuclear weapon states (such as the US) that are yet to disarm their nuclear weapons.

This dissertation examines South Korea as an emergent middle power in East Asia, and how this is being reflected on its diplomatic behavior in relation to the processes of regionalism. The literature of middle powers suggests that countries such as South Korea can play useful roles to promote cooperation in several specific areas. In East Asia, the need for regional institutionalization became evident since the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) of 1997-98, yet the attempts of China and Japan for regional leadership are often viewed as problematic. Hence, this research confirmed its main hypothesis which points to South Korea as a capable middle power to lead East Asian regionalism. Thus, in those particular instances where Korea has chosen to display middlepowermanship – as a catalyst, facilitator and/or manager of regionalist projects – the advancement in the processes of regional institutionalization in East Asia was generally observed. In doing so, this research looked into South Korea’s foreign policy behavior towards East Asian regional processes and towards Northeast Asia as a subregion. Regional institution-building attempts, as well as the creation of regional governance were the main aspects observed; hence this research falls within the theoretical boundaries of international political economy and international relations. Neoliberal theories related to neo-functionalism, institutionalism and especially inter-governmentalism were considered to understand regionalism, while preferring a constructivist point of view to explain the relations among states. A qualitative type of methodology was favored, including interviews with policy-makers and experts, as well as archival research of primary and secondary sources. Ultimately, this study has both practical and theoretical contributions, since the literature on middle powers does not often consider applications to regionalism, a process which is usually advanced and led by great powers. Thus, study conclusions suggest several improved practical understandings of East Asian regionalism in general, recommendations for its continuing advancement and possible future strategies for South Korea’s role in it as the regional middle power. / This dissertation examines South Korea as an emergent middle power in East Asia, and how this is being reflected on its diplomatic behavior in relation to the processes of regionalism. The literature of middle powers suggests that countries such as South Korea can play useful roles to promote cooperation in several specific areas. In East Asia, the need for regional institutionalization became evident since the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) of 1997-98, yet the attempts of China and Japan for regional leadership are often viewed as problematic. Hence, this research confirmed its main hypothesis which points to South Korea as a capable middle power to lead East Asian regionalism. Thus, in those particular instances where Korea has chosen to display middlepowermanship – as a catalyst, facilitator and/or manager of regionalist projects – the advancement in the processes of regional institutionalization in East Asia was generally observed. In doing so, this research looked into South Korea’s foreign policy behavior towards East Asian regional processes and towards Northeast Asia as a subregion. Regional institution-building attempts, as well as the creation of regional governance were the main aspects observed; hence this research falls within the theoretical boundaries of international political economy and international relations. Neoliberal theories related to neo-functionalism, institutionalism and especially inter-governmentalism were considered to understand regionalism, while preferring a constructivist point of view to explain the relations among states. A qualitative type of methodology was favored, including interviews with policy-makers and experts, as well as archival research of primary and secondary sources. Ultimately, this study has both practical and theoretical contributions, since the literature on middle powers does not often consider applications to regionalism, a process which is usually advanced and led by great powers. Thus, study conclusions suggest several improved practical understandings of East Asian regionalism in general, recommendations for its continuing advancement and possible future strategies for South Korea’s role in it as the regional middle power.

Ce mémoire questionne l'influence internationale du Canada lors du Golden Age en fournissant une étude de cas de sa politique étrangère focalisée sur ses relations avec la France. Les institutions multilatérales constituaient la pierre angulaire de la politique extérieure canadienne; elles devaient lui conférer des contrepoids politiques et économiques pour s'autonomiser des États-Unis. Pour la France, ces institutions étaient souvent perçues comme une contrainte et elle cherchait à les affaiblir ou les réformer. Parallèlement, elle tentait de préserver son empire colonial et exigeait un appui occidental unanime. Elle fut l'allié occidental qui attaquait le plus systématiquement le projet canadien d'une politique étrangère reposant sur l'équilibre entre un engagement à l'OTAN et une politique ouvertement anticoloniale devant courtiser les pays non alignés du Commonwealth. Cette étude s'intéresse aux stratégies d'action d'une «puissance moyenne» qui tentait de désamorcer les crises interalliées et de réconcilier les dimensions contradictoires de sa propre politique extérieure. / This study questions Canadian international influence during the "Golden Age" by providing a case study of Canada's foreign policy in its relations with France. Multilateral institutions were the cornerstone of Canadian foreign policy; they were providing the politico-economic counterweights allowing Canadians to distance themselves from the United States. These institutions were often perceived as a constraint by the French, who consequently tried to weaken or reform them. Meanwhile, they were trying to preserve their colonial empire and were demanding unanimous occidental support. France became the most disturbing of Canada's allies, almost systematically attacking its foreign policy project, which consisted in trying to balance a firm commitment to NATO and an overtly anti-imperialist policy designed to seduce non aligned countries of the Commonwealth. This dissertation studies the strategies of a "middle power" trying to defuse the crisis between its allies and to reconcile the contradictory dimensions of its own external policy.