Transcript The Elusive Definition of Small States

The Elusive Definition of
Small States
07.10.2015.
„We know a small country when we see
it”(Paul Streeten, 1993)

In order to analyze small states, we have the choose
the proper way to define them
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We have to choose (1) a concept and a (2) definition
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Our concept: analyze the foreign policy of states with
limited resources
Requirements for a fine definition
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Should be easy to apply
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Should form a category not too big and not too small
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Should be useable throughout regions and time
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Should lead to relevant research results
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Small state
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Smaller state
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Small country
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Small power
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Weak state
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Weak power
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Microstate
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Very small state
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Microstate
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Small nation
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Weak nation
Defining small states
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Maas: Small states are (1) the systematically (2) small units (3) of the
international state system
SMALL STATE
SMALL
STATE
STATE

What can be described as a state?
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Our definition is based on international law, but it has limitations
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Using the word „state” raises two questions
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We accept that we only consider states in a Westphalian sense
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We do not want to question a state’s independence
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„A state’s intependence (and ultimately its statehood) must be questioned if
the state is militarily dominated by another state” – Olafsson
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Can we analyze states in the Soviet sphere of interests during the Cold War?
SMALL
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Using the word „small” implies that there is a given size of a state
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„Small”, „medium”, „large”? „Small” and „large”?
Quantitative
Qualitative
Other
Quantitative
definitions
Attribute
Demarcation
Which attribute should we choose?
Territory
Population
Economy
Military
Types of quantitative definitions
1. Population
 Maas:
under 1 million people
 Bailes:
 Hein:
under 5 million people
under 10-15 million people
 (Microstates:
under 1.5 million)
Worldbank Database
Under 1 m
Under 1.5 m
Under 5 m
Under 10 m
Under 15 m
55 (25%)
62 (28%)
97 (45%)
127 (59%)
146 (67%)
14 m
23 m
135 m
348 m
566 m
Types of quantitative definitions
2.
Population and economy

Vital: developed states with less than 10
million people and under-developed states
with less than 30 million people

Approx. 165 countries
Types of quantitative definitions
3.
Deutsch: less than 1% of the global GDP

Approx. 150 countries
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High income countries: 2/3 of world GDP

EU+USA+China: more than half
Types of quantitative definitions
4.
East: „traditional definiton”: small in at
least one of the four main scales of size
(territory, population, GDP, military)

What does smallnes mean? If it is below average,
then approx 180-190 countries
Qualitative definitions

” Strength ” and ” power” are different aspects,
strength is irrelevant

Power can be measured in a qualitative way, it
includes the international status of a country, its
dependences, relations, etc.

Small states, in thin sense, are weak states
Types of qualitative definitions
1. Cathegorization
of states
 Weak
and strong countries (maybe middle
powers)
 How
can we describe which one is which?
 Institutional
 The
approach
„nuclear club”
Types of qualitative definitions
2.
Behavioral definition

Small states are those who act like small
powers
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Limited international participation, local
interests, support of international law and
institutions
Other kind of definitions
•
Mixed definitions
 Chong:
Small states have less than 30 million people
and act like small states
 Relative
approach: we can talk smallness only in a
regional perspective
 Self-definition
Our definition during the course
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Quantitative approach
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Regional approach
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Complex approach
Small states are those, which are smaller than the
average of a given region in terms of population,
territoriy, economic and military capacities
Methodology
1.
Research the distribution of general aggregate resources (GAR)
2.
Define the average of each GAR
3.
Identify small states in all four categories
Researching the distribution of aggregate
resources in a given region
Territory
Population
Economy (GDP$)
(km2)
Military capacities
(size of military and
exp. in m$)
Number of
10
10
9
8
Av.
482 212
25 517 950
251 978 804 343
12 659 and 341
Share of small
16,06%
24,84%
23,16%
21% and 24%
29%
21,43%
21,75%
42% és 25%
small states
states
Share of the
largest state
Our definition: the dimensions of
smallness
Onefold
Twofold
Threefold
Fourfold/Complex
T
T-P
T-P-E
T-P-E-M
P
T-E
T-P-M
E
T-M
T-E-M
M
P-E
P-E-M
P-M
E-M
Onefold territorial small states
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Small in terms of territory, large in terms of the other aspects
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Assumptions
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Population density is higher
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GDP/km2 is higher - high level of modernity?
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Military capacities/km2 is higher – the country is well protected
Is the lack of territory creates dependence by itself?
Complex Small States (7)
The GDP of the European Union members (2014)
4,000,000,000,000
3,500,000,000,000
3,000,000,000,000
2,500,000,000,000
2,000,000,000,000
1,500,000,000,000
1,000,000,000,000
500,000,000,000
0
28/19
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Austria

Poland

Malta
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Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Ireland

Croatia

Greece

Estonia

Czech Republic

Greece

Bulgaria

Belgium

Romania

Portugalia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Hungary
The Population of the European Union members (2013)
90,000,000
80,000,000
70,000,000
60,000,000
50,000,000
40,000,000
30,000,000
20,000,000
10,000,000
0
28/18
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Austria

Poland

Malta

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Ireland

Croatia

Greece

Estonia

Czech Republic
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Greece

Bulgaria

Belgium

Portugalia

Slovakia

Slovenia
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Hungary
Av. Of the EU
Sweden
Germany
Slovenia
Slovak Republic
Romania
Portugal
Poland
Netherlands
Malta
Latvia
Luxembourg
Lithuania
Italy
Ireland
Hungary
Croatia
Greece
United Kingdom
France
Finland
Estonia
Spain
Denmark
Czech Republic
Cyprus
Bulgaria
Belgium
Austria
Land area of the European Union members (2013)
600000
500000
400000
300000
200000
100000
0
28/17
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Austria

Malta

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Ireland

Croatia
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Greece

Estonia

Czech Republic

Greece

Bulgaria

Belgium

Portugalia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Hungary
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Spain
Estonia
Finland
France
United Kingdom
Greece
Croatia
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Latvia
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Sweden
Germany
Malta
Av. Of the EU
Military Expenditures in the European Union members (2012)
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
28/11
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Austria
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Malta
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Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Ireland
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Czech Republic
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Belgium
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Slovakia
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Slovenia
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Hungary
What is the lesson?
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The EU has many small states
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Defining the concept is of crucial importance
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Regional inquiry is needed
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We should differentiate between the different dimensions
of size