Book review : A theory of dysfunctionality : the European microstates as dysfunctional states in the international system

Abstract

If one subscribes to the neo-realist perspective in international relations, then a state’s capacity to ‘act like one’ is a critical and necessary feature of a functioning state. Granted. However, what exactly then are the essential characteristics of a state? Such that, if a state is unable to exercise or guarantee, from its own resources, one or more of these characteristics, it can then, according to this book, be called disfunctional – with an ‘i’ and not ‘y’, so the term simply means ‘lacking’ without also implying a demeaning or pejorative judgement. [excerpt]