Awkward Powers: Escaping Traditional Great and Middle Power Theory

Abstract

Este libro introduce el concepto de “Awkward Powers” en las Relaciones Internacionales y reexamina críticamente cómo la teoría ha explicado la jerarquía global del poder. La obra sostiene que categorías tradicionales como “gran potencia” y “potencia media” resultan cada vez más insuficientes para describir a ciertos Estados relevantes pero difícilmente clasificables. A través de estudios de caso de potencias consolidadas y emergentes, el volumen propone una comprensión más matizada de la jerarquía internacional de facto en el siglo XXI.

This book introduces the editors’ new concept of “Awkward Powers”. By undertaking a critical re-examination of the state of International Relations theorising on the changing nature of the global power hierarchy, it draws attention to a number of countries that fit awkwardly into existing but outdated categories such as “great power” and “middle power”. It argues that conceptual categories pertaining to the apex of the international hierarchy have become increasingly unsatisfactory, and that new approaches focusing on such “Awkward Powers” can both rectify shortcomings on power theorising whilst shining a much-needed theoretical spotlight on significant but understudied states. The book’s contributors examine a broad range of empirical case studies, including both established and rising powers across a global scale to illustrate our conceptual claims. Through such a novel process, we argue that a better appreciation of the de facto international power hierarchy in the 21st century can be achieved.