Project Synopsis
The global order can be hierarchical. Major powers include the U.S. and China, while regional leaders are middle powers (e.g. Germany in Europe, Iran in the Middle East, South Africa in Africa, etc.). Yet, most states are neither and are therefore considered to be small states on account of their limited influence on the global stage as individual states.
Conventionally, small states are not considered as main forces of global order. However, they have increasingly become the main force in recent global politics. These states collectively shape global order by influencing the number of poles in global politics. By coalescing among themselves, aligning or re-aligning with certain major or middle powers, small states produce the structure of a multipolar, bipolar, or unipolar world. Additionally, small states impact the form of global order by producing friendly networks or international rivalries.
The realignment of many small states characterizes the current period of global politics, producing stayers, switchers, and hedgers. Some states strengthen relationships with the U.S. via defense cooperation and other security arrangements. Other countries pivot and attempt to improve their relations with China, via aid or sovereign loan relations. Many attempt to resort to strategic hedging or multi-vector diplomacy with middle powers that could potentially avoid risks of aligning with a single great power.
Building on the incredibly rich literature on military alliances, international rivalries, international economic relations, and foreign policy orientations, the project, Great Realignment, proposes to understand the process, measure the (re)alignment patterns, and explain why and how the realignment is occurring in contemporary global politics.
The project is funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York (Grant No. G-PS-24-62004) as part of the effort on Understanding the Forces Shaping the Global Order.