Small states and international security : theoretical considerations and opportunities : the case of Slovenia

Abstract

There exists an inherent tension between the apparent legal equality between states and the actual political power inequality among them. Small states find themselves in the middle of this dilemma. Due to the lack of survival guarantees, small states' foreign policy essentially becomes security policy. Of particular interest in this regard is the question whether small states can project their security policy beyond their own borders, across their region and possibly even onto the international stage. Small states have often been attributed a passive and merely implementing role m security policy. But is this really the case in today's multilateral and interdependent world? Do large states still dictate the game in a system where the influence of international organizations is ever growing? This thesis aims particularly at finding out whether and how small states can be policy tormulators rather than just polityexecutprs in regards to security. The author hypothesizes that whilst small states are in fact at a disadvantage compared to major powers in regard to resources and influence, they are effective in tinding certain security policy niches in which they act as transmitters, mediatorsand sometimes even pioneers. This is particularly true for qualitative power dimensions such as the projection of normative and soft power.In the case study of a small state namely Slovenia, this research asks whether it is leading by example or merely pursuing the policies of other states? Despite being actively involved in regional and international security operations, more often than not Slovenia haschosen to align with great power policies rather than coming up with one ot its own. The potential for maximizing its normative influence has not been effectively pursued. Exceptions to this can be observed in regard to the Western Balkans which serves as a vital strategic Interest for the Slovenian state. This behaviour can be explained by the relatively young age ot the independent Slovenian Republic and the on-going reorganization of foreign policy priorities after achieving EU and NATO membership. The current times of crisis provide Slovenia with an opportunity to review and scrutinize its past achievements, to reinforce its domestic situation and to optimize its foreign policy decision-making process by defining clearresponsibilities across its ministries in order to demonstrrite proactive rather than merely reactive security and foreign-policy relaled behaviour.