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In the growing literature on middle powers, this book contributes by expanding case study analysis and extending international relations theory in its application to foreign policy decisions. Thus, this book builds on prominent middle power literature and aims to advance our theoretical understanding for why crucial foreign policies were made by the "pivotal middle" powers this book examines-Poland, South Korea, and Bolivia.
For this book's three case studies and their first-term leadership's critical junctures-from first term post-communist Poland, post-authoritarian/post-ruling party South Korea, and post-colonial Bolivia-we have the antecedents for contemporary middle powers essential for realizing the regional evolution for cooperative change with greater powers systemically; we may then grasp today why those historical foreign policies, albeit not so long ago, give us crucial antecedents for adapting and trying, yet again, to resolve seemingly perennial power dilemmas regionally, peacefully.
Here are why middle power impact matters, not only regionally for stronger, dominant greater power neighbours, but also for transformative middle power leaderships which proved pivotal geopolitically for their region's challenges and changes.
List of contents
Introduction: Setting the Scene for Three Pivotal Middle Powers
Chapter One: Bridging Europe's Divide: Post-Communist Poland (1989-1991)
Chapter Two: Bridging Asia's Divide: Post-Authoritarian, Post-Ruling Party South Korea (1998-2003)
Chapter Three: Bridging South America's Divide: Post-Colonial Indigenous Ruling Bolivia (2006-2009)
Conclusion: Middle Powers do Matter Regionally
Bibliography
About the author
Joshua B. Spero is Professor of International Politics/Political Science at Fitchburg State University since 2003, coordinates the International Studies Minor Program and Political Science, Washington Center Internship Programs. From 1988-2000, Dr. Spero served in the U.S. Government, his last public service position as Joint Chiefs of Staff/Senior Civilian Strategic/Scenario Planner, 1994-2000).
