This dissertation analyzes the relevance and importance of small buffer states for contemporary International Relations. It argues that sub-systemic interactions reinvigorate the role of buffer states in regional security. Using the case study of the triadic relationship among India, Nepal, and China, this study explains the evolving role of buffer states. The technological innovations in weapons systems, transportation, and communication have extended the reach of potential adversaries, rendering intermediate territorial space less significant than in the past. Thus, it is hypothesized in this dissertation that increased sub-systemic rivalry reinvigorates differently the relevance and significance of buffer states. The role of such states has evolved from an overwhelmingly geographic concept based on spatial discontinuity between larger rival powers to that of a fluid political space in which Great/Middle Power rivalry and competition play out. The research utilizes a mixed research design, specifically called the convergent parallel design. Data was collected based on specific critical junctures between 1990-2017. For quantitative analysis, data on trade, foreign direct investment, and foreign aid were collected; for the qualitative data analysis, foreign policy statements, press releases, and media briefs were used. Incorporating the Kruskal-Wallis Test and content analysis, both the results of the qualitative and quantitative analyses were collectively interpreted. Results demonstrate that during critical historical junctures, material and rhetorical engagements of both China and India invigorate within the buffer state of Nepal. In periods that India increases its material and rhetorical engagements, China concomitantly decreases its material engagement all the while increasing its rhetorical engagement. In essence, buffer states maintain relevance through the externalization of interactions between larger powers in the form of dynamic rhetorical and material engagements. In this case, Nepal maintains its relevance as a dynamic political space for interactions between its neighbors, India and China.

This thesis examines Albanian foreign policy from a small state point of view.The main argument is that Albania as a weak small state developed close relations with the regional and great powers and align with them in order to compensate its weakness. An historical analysis of the Albanian foreign policy line since its establishment portrays a continuity in this trend except the short isolationist period. The study has three main objectives, firstly, it aims to provide an analysis of the small state foreign policy and small state &ndash / great power asymmetric relations within the framework of Albania&rsquo / s relations with various regional and great powers. Secondly, to elaborate the relevance of the enduring weakness of Albania on its foreign policy making in particular with its relations and alliances with the great powers. In this sense, an analysis of the Albanian foreign policy shows a pattern of shifting alliances in different time periods and under different regimes as part of foreign policy line. Thirdly, to make the historical account of Albania&rsquo / s alliances and relations with the great powers in terms of continuity and change in its foreign policy line. Albania&rsquo / s post-Cold War era foreign policy indicates a continuity in this line as it approaches the US as the great power to align with as well as one of two main pillars of its foreign policy along with the Euro-Atlantic integration. In this context, the contemporary Albanian-US relations constitute the last phase of the Albanian foreign policy trend.

According to Sweden’s military strategic doctrine, Swedish defense capabilities should be deterrent based upon deterrence. The ambition to deter potential aggressors is also expressed in guiding and executive political documents. There are a few defining expressions within the theories of deterrence of which credibility is considered as vital. However, over the recent years the credibility of the Swedish defense forces has been exposed to criticism. Among the critics is the supreme commander who has publicly stated that Swedish defense doesn´t reach the decided capability. Since credibility is considered a corner stone in deterrence, is it possible for Sweden to apply a deterrent strategy despite its credibility issues? The purpose of this single case study is to examine Swedish efforts to act deterrent when applying the theoretical definitions of deterrence. Current political documents and the Swedish military strategic doctrine constitutes the material that has been reviewed through qualitative text analysis. As an instrument for analyzing the material, three fundamental criteria within deterrence theories has been used as indicators. These criteria are credibility, ability and communication. The result shows that both political and military documents share a common direction. Swedish defense capability is currently undergoing a change towards a national defense built on a credible security strategy. This strategy contains both active and passive measures grounded in the theories of deterrence.

Cabo Verde tem registrado um crescimento considerável em nível da subregião Oeste africana, apesar dos enormes desafios que o país apresenta, tais como escassez de água potável, de energia, de saneamento básico, deficiente infraestrutura, limitados recursos naturais, materiais e humanos. Este trabalho analisa as perspectivas e as alternativas para a economia de Cabo Verde, tendo em conta esses enormes desafios. Para este propósito, o trabalho inicia com a problemática do (sub)desenvolvimento, onde além de uma discussão teórica do assunto, se aborda a questão dos pequenos estados insulares da qual Cabo Verde faz parte e as oportunidades de desenvolvimento que ainda restam aos subdesenvolvidos. Em seguida, apresenta-se um histórico da economia de Cabo Verde, com destaque para os vários momentos verificados desde o período antes da independência até os dias de hoje. Depois se discutem alguns aspetos considerados relevantes da economia Cabo-verdiana, como as contas nacionais, a estrutura do emprego e de desemprego, a caracterização de alguns setores de atividade econômica e, também, faz-se uma análise do desempenho da economia. Por fim, no capítulo 5 discute-se a importância das relações internacionais do país, avaliam-se os desafios que o país enfrenta, as perspectivas de desenvolvimento face a esses desafios, e as alternativas de desenvolvimento, tendo por base o turismo, a ajuda pública ao desenvolvimento (APD), o investimento direto externo (IDE) e as remessas dos emigrantes (RE). Os resultados obtidos neste estudo sugerem que o país, apesar de melhoras significativas em diversas áreas de desenvolvimento, fato comprovado pela recente elevação a País de Rendimento Médio (PRM), o país apresenta ainda enormes desequilíbrios e distorções no seu processo de desenvolvimento. Evidencia-se neste trabalho que, apesar dos constantes desafios e constrangimentos que o país enfrenta, e apesar das alternativas de desenvolvimento se basearem nos fatores externos que não estão sob total controle do país, as perspectivas de desenvolvimento são bastante favoráveis. / Cape Verde has experienced considerable growth in the sub-region of West Africa which is a part, despite the enormous challenges the country presents, such as scarcity of water, energy, sanitation, lack of infrastructure, lack of natural resources, limited human and material resources. This paper analyzes the prospects and the alternatives for the economy of Cape Verde, given these enormous challenges. For this purpose, this work begins with the problem of the (under) development, where in addition to a theoretical discussion of the subject, addressing the issue of small island states which Cape Verde made part and the development opportunities that remain for developing countries. Then comes a history of Cape Verde's economy by addressing various events occurred since the period before independence until today. After that, it is considered some relevant aspects of the Cape Verde economy, such as national accounts, the structure of employment and unemployment, the characterization of certain sectors of economic activity, and also an analysis of economic performance. Finally, in Chapter 5 discusses the importance of the international relations of the country, to assess the challenges facing the country, prospects for development with these challenges, and the alternatives of development, based on tourism, Help official development assistance (ODA), foreign direct investment (FDI) and remittances (RE). The results of this work suggest that the country, despite significant improvements in several areas of the development, proven by the recent graduate to Middle Income Country (MIC), the country still has huge imbalances and distortions in its development process. Evidence in this work, despite the continuing challenges and constraints facing the country, despite the development alternatives are based on the external factors that are not under total control of the country, the development prospects are quite favorable.

Various academic disciplines have attempted to explain the factors underpinning superior economic performance. Generally they neglect the realities of small states. The literature fails to clearly define a small state . Mainstream theories associate smallness with sub-optimality . Small states studies tend to be conditioned by a vulnerability complex. Yet, a good number of small states have an economic track record which is the envy of much larger states. This thesis adopts an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the theoretical explanations of superior economic performance, at both the state and firm level. Resource-advantage theory, which claims to be a general theory of competition, offers valuable insights in understanding the superior economic performance of small states. The field research follows Porter (1998) in studying the performance of particular industries to understand the competitiveness of nations. A qualitative, case study approach, involving both primary and secondary investigation, explores the performance of the pharmaceutical industry in Malta following the country s decision to join the EU. This work perceives a small state as an organisation with well-defined, but permeable, boundaries. This open system is characterised by both a lack of market power and a small population. Through the secondary field research a small number of higher-order resources, competencies and dynamic capabilities (RCDCs) are identified. The field research s findings affirm the relevance of these arch-RCDCs in creating competitive advantage for the pharmaceutical industry in Malta. It also elucidates the key role played by an external catalyst, foreign direct investment, to circumvent domestic limitations. The study finds that it is still relevant to study small states and that achieving a strategic fit between the resource base and international market opportunities is essential if small states are to enhance their market power and achieve a superior economic performance.

Cabo Verde tem registrado um crescimento considerável em nível da subregião Oeste africana, apesar dos enormes desafios que o país apresenta, tais como escassez de água potável, de energia, de saneamento básico, deficiente infraestrutura, limitados recursos naturais, materiais e humanos. Este trabalho analisa as perspectivas e as alternativas para a economia de Cabo Verde, tendo em conta esses enormes desafios. Para este propósito, o trabalho inicia com a problemática do (sub)desenvolvimento, onde além de uma discussão teórica do assunto, se aborda a questão dos pequenos estados insulares da qual Cabo Verde faz parte e as oportunidades de desenvolvimento que ainda restam aos subdesenvolvidos. Em seguida, apresenta-se um histórico da economia de Cabo Verde, com destaque para os vários momentos verificados desde o período antes da independência até os dias de hoje. Depois se discutem alguns aspetos considerados relevantes da economia Cabo-verdiana, como as contas nacionais, a estrutura do emprego e de desemprego, a caracterização de alguns setores de atividade econômica e, também, faz-se uma análise do desempenho da economia. Por fim, no capítulo 5 discute-se a importância das relações internacionais do país, avaliam-se os desafios que o país enfrenta, as perspectivas de desenvolvimento face a esses desafios, e as alternativas de desenvolvimento, tendo por base o turismo, a ajuda pública ao desenvolvimento (APD), o investimento direto externo (IDE) e as remessas dos emigrantes (RE). Os resultados obtidos neste estudo sugerem que o país, apesar de melhoras significativas em diversas áreas de desenvolvimento, fato comprovado pela recente elevação a País de Rendimento Médio (PRM), o país apresenta ainda enormes desequilíbrios e distorções no seu processo de desenvolvimento. Evidencia-se neste trabalho que, apesar dos constantes desafios e constrangimentos que o país enfrenta, e apesar das alternativas de desenvolvimento se basearem nos fatores externos que não estão sob total controle do país, as perspectivas de desenvolvimento são bastante favoráveis. / Cape Verde has experienced considerable growth in the sub-region of West Africa which is a part, despite the enormous challenges the country presents, such as scarcity of water, energy, sanitation, lack of infrastructure, lack of natural resources, limited human and material resources. This paper analyzes the prospects and the alternatives for the economy of Cape Verde, given these enormous challenges. For this purpose, this work begins with the problem of the (under) development, where in addition to a theoretical discussion of the subject, addressing the issue of small island states which Cape Verde made part and the development opportunities that remain for developing countries. Then comes a history of Cape Verde's economy by addressing various events occurred since the period before independence until today. After that, it is considered some relevant aspects of the Cape Verde economy, such as national accounts, the structure of employment and unemployment, the characterization of certain sectors of economic activity, and also an analysis of economic performance. Finally, in Chapter 5 discusses the importance of the international relations of the country, to assess the challenges facing the country, prospects for development with these challenges, and the alternatives of development, based on tourism, Help official development assistance (ODA), foreign direct investment (FDI) and remittances (RE). The results of this work suggest that the country, despite significant improvements in several areas of the development, proven by the recent graduate to Middle Income Country (MIC), the country still has huge imbalances and distortions in its development process. Evidence in this work, despite the continuing challenges and constraints facing the country, despite the development alternatives are based on the external factors that are not under total control of the country, the development prospects are quite favorable.

De nu rådande teorierna kring småstater och deras säkerhetspolitik har kritise- rats för att vara allt för knutna till västerländska och europeiska småstater. Den här forskningen har därför undersökt orsaker och motiv för en afrikansk småstat att välja att gå in i en allians. I och med detta har säkerhetspolitiska teorier prö- vats utanför Europa och dess generaliserbarhet kunnat ökas. Genom en metodskapande och teoriprövande forskning har teorierna kring små- staters alliansval prövats i en fallstudie om Botswanas militära samarbete med Kina. Såväl Kina som Afrika är högaktuella såväl internationellt som för svensk försvarsmakt. Forskaren skapar en metod bestående av tio indikatorer för att en småstat ska välja att gå in i en allians. Resultatet av en jämförelse med fallstudien pekar på att teorierna kring småstater kan appliceras även utanför västerländska och europeiska småstater. Den skapade metoden har också framgångsrikt prövats. / This study tests the applicability of traditional small states security strategy theory to African small states. Existing theories in this area have been criticized for their focus on western and European countries particularly on the grounds of their limited applicability to other states. This method building and theory testing study searches, in existing theories of small states strategies, for reasons and probable motives why small states enter an alli- ance. The theory is tested using a case study of Botswana’s emergent relationship with China. For the purpose of the study, a new model testing alliance building tendencies was constructed. Based on this, a method of ten indicators that are pre- dictive of when a small state might choose to enter an alliance has been derived. These indicators are then used to compare Botswana’s reasons and motives to enter an alliance and military cooperation with China. The comparison finds that seven of the ten indicators could be found, one was not found and the final two could not be tested in this study. This research concludes that African small states choose alliances for the same rea- sons that western and European state do. Furthermore, this study also suggests that the model of ten indicators to test a small state’s likelihood to enter an alliance is effective.

Taiwan is still in partial diplomatic isolation. As a small country with a limited share in world affairs is not only limited by his specific requirements, but also to the instruments that are entitled to use. The only way to escape from this situation means expanding the number of diplomatic allies and efforts for integration into international structures. Recommended tools for small state foreign policy used to achieve its objectives, primarily by soft power. Based on the classification of Taiwan as a small state, the recommended instruments are of public and economic diplomacy. They act through creating a positive image of the country abroad and various forms of foreign assistance. Taiwan needs to gather as much support from the general public in different countries. A strong motivation for him is his effort to build its own space and fixed position for national survival and growth in China's shadow. By defining each of the central concepts, integrating Taiwan into the actual facts and the application of selected instruments for Taiwan's foreign policy terms there is built a connection between the small states issue and areas of economic and public diplomacy as soft power tools of Taiwan's foreign policy.

This paper focuses on the foreign policy behavior and strategy of weak and small states in the international system. Further, it explains the behavior and strategies employed by those states by examining several concepts and theories and applying them on the case of Nepal. In a realist world and among states that are most interested in their own integrity and survival, and partly in maximizing their power, weak and small states like Nepal try to keep a neutral position between all actors, try to maintain and extend bilateral relations to the immediate neighbors and other actors in the international system, and further integrate themselves into regional and international frameworks to secure their survival. Because they are the most vulnerable actors, the study of those states and their behavior and strategies is both interesting and compelling. Methodologically, this paper employs interviews as the main source of data and additionally peruses the foreign policy reports of Nepal from the last five years (2015-2019). The data is being analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. After studying the case and its implications, the author suggests that especially geographic patterns are important to understand the foreign policy of weak and small states, and further neutrality and bilateral as well as multilateral relations are indispensable for those actors to secure their integrity and survival in the international system.

Under kalla kriget fanns stora skillnader mellan den deklarerade svenska säkerhetspolitiken och det faktiska handlandet. Problemformuleringen lyfter frågan om även nutida svensk säkerhetspolitik innehåller betydande diskrepanser. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka korrelationen mellan proposition 2008/09:140 – ett användbart försvar och proposition 2010/11:111 - Svenskt deltagande i den internationella militärainsatsen i Libyen. Med utgångspunkt i ett antal empiriskt bevisade småstatsbeteenden som syftar till ökat inflytande och därmed, för en liten stat i Europa som Sverige, ökad makt analyseras propositionerna. Beteendena tolkas även genom två perspektiv; neutralitetspolitiken samt strategisk kultur och identitet. Slutsatserna som dras av undersökningen är att det inte föreligger några nämnvärda diskrepanser mellan deklarerad och agerad säkerhetspolitik så som de manifesteras i propositionerna. Kopplingen mellan nutida svensk säkerhetspolitik och perspektiven är tydlig om än med vissa motsättningar. / During the cold war, there were significant differences between the declared Swedish security policy and the way it was actually carried out. Sweden was not quite as neutral as it purported to be and maintained covert collaborations with the west throughout the cold war. This history of contradicting policies raises the question if contemporary Swedish security policy contains significant discrepancies. The purpose of this paper is to explore the correlation between the bill 2008/09:140 – a useable defence and bill 2010/11:111 – Swedish participation in international military action in Libya. The bills are analysed from a number of empirically proven small state foreign policy behaviours aimed at increasing influence and thus, for a small state in Europe like Sweden, increasing power. These behaviours are also interpreted through two perspectives: the Swedish policy of neutrality and Swedish strategic culture and identity. The conclusion drawn from the study is that there are no significant discrepancies between declared and acted security policy as manifested in the propositions. The connection between contemporary Swedish security policy and the perspectives are clear, albeit with some differences.