Materiality, Ideas, and the Construction of National Interest: Middle Powers, Coalitions and Normative Agency Introduction The concept of national interest sits at the intersection of power and meaning. Classical realist accounts ground national interest primarily in material capabilities and security imperatives (Morgenthau; Waltz), while constructivist scholars (Wendt; Finnemore) demonstrate that interests are socially constructed through … Continue reading How does the dynamic interplay between material capabilities and ideational constructions shape a state’s articulation of “national interest” in contemporary international relations? How do middle powers operationalise limited capabilities to expand their national interest through coalition-building, norm entrepreneurship, and institutional innovation?
Tag: norm entrepreneurship
To what extent does diplomacy function not merely as a procedural mechanism for the execution of foreign policy, but as a strategic instrument that enables the effective integration and deployment of complementary tools—such as military capabilities and economic leverage—in the pursuit of national interests, and how does this dual role shape the dynamics and efficacy of contemporary international relations?
Diplomacy as Process and Strategy: Integrating Military and Economic Instruments in the Pursuit of National Interests IntroductionDiplomacy is often portrayed as the procedural arm of foreign policy—the negotiation, representation, and communication that translate national preferences into international outcomes. Yet in contemporary practice, diplomacy functions not merely as an implementation mechanism but as a strategic instrument … Continue reading To what extent does diplomacy function not merely as a procedural mechanism for the execution of foreign policy, but as a strategic instrument that enables the effective integration and deployment of complementary tools—such as military capabilities and economic leverage—in the pursuit of national interests, and how does this dual role shape the dynamics and efficacy of contemporary international relations?
Evaluate the indicators and underlying dynamics suggesting the rise of a global civil society in contemporary international relations and transnational political discourse.
The Rise of Global Civil Society: Indicators and Dynamics in Contemporary International Relations Introduction The concept of global civil society has emerged as a pivotal analytical and normative construct in the post-Cold War study of international relations and global governance. Positioned between the state, market, and intergovernmental institutions, global civil society denotes the transnational realm … Continue reading Evaluate the indicators and underlying dynamics suggesting the rise of a global civil society in contemporary international relations and transnational political discourse.