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This book explores power in international relations, in a world characterized by the growing competition of major powers for smaller nations. Focusing on the major powers and smaller countries of Eurasia, it argues that power in international relations is different from coercion and is rather a social contract between a leader state and follower states where reciprocity is key and where leadership relationships cannot be adequately explained by focusing solely on the leader. It challenges the perception that genuine regional leadership is quite common, contending instead that it is rare; that much more often major powers make claims for leadership; and that regional leadership does not indicate the status of a particular state, but rather the social role of the leader, which is recognized by its followers, a role which is always relative and based on communication and constant interaction with followers. The book highlights the important role followers play in recognizing regional power, the importance for a state's regional leadership strategy in creating and holding a valuable position attractive for followers and delivering greater value to followers compared to other potential leaders.
List of contents
Introduction Chapter 1
Conceptualizing regional leadership
Chapter 2
Complex Interaction of Leadership Projects in Post-Soviet Eurasia
Chapter 3
The Road to War: How Russia Has Lost the Chances for Leadership in Post-Soviet Eurasia
Chapter 4
"Crossing the River by Touching the Stones": China's Leadership Strategy in Eurasia
Chapter 5
What Does the European Union's Leadership Programme for Eurasia Consist of?
Chapter 6
Following Externals or Leading Internals? Kazakhstan as the Non-Follower with Leadership Ambitions of Its Own
Chapter 7
The South Caucasus: a Challenge and an Opportunity. Russia, EU and China's Prospects for Regional Leadership
Chapter 8
From a Hesitant to an Assumed Leader? EU Role Conception and Eastern Partners' Perceptions
Conclusion
About the author
Irina Busygina is a Visiting Scholar at the Davis Center at Harvard University, USA
Svetlana Krivokhizh is an Associate Professor at the Department of Asian and African Studies, Higher School of Economics in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Summary
This book explores power in international relations, in a world of growing competition of major powers for smaller nations. Focusing on the major powers and smaller countries of Eurasia, it argues that power in international relations is different from coercion and is rather a social contract between a leader state and follower states.
