This book seeks to explain why weak states exist within the international system. Using the cases of Armenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Lebanon, and Cambodia, the author argues that, if a state is weak and vulnerable, then it can practice an unexpected degree of relative autonomy unfettered by great powers.

'Since the field of international relations is dominated by varieties of realism, especially structural realism, it is largely irrelevant for understanding the policies of 95 percent of the states in the world. It really focuses on the competitive relations of the great powers and little else. In this innovative study Hanna Kassab demonstrates that, with modifications of a few of its assumptions, a realist perspective can help one understand that the behavior of weak states is not limited to bandwagoning.'

Roger E. Kanet, University of Miami, USA

Autorentext

Hanna Samir Kassab is Visiting Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department at Northern Michigan University, USA. He has published articles on International Relations Theory, National Security, politics of the Far-right and Nationalism, acts of Political Suicide, and Foreign Policy.

Inhalt

Table of Contents
List of Illustrations

1. Introduction
2. International Security and Weak States
3. Weak State Vulnerability as an Intervening Variable
4. Interests in Terms of Survival: The Function of Weak States
5. Strength in Weakness: Weak State Opportunistic Behavior
6. Weak States and Great Power Grand Strategy
7. Weak State Autonomy: Armenia and St. Kitts and Nevis
8. Autonomy yet Civil War: Cases of Lebanon and Cambodia
   Conclusions
   Works Cited