Knowledge Tree
regional powers
Also known as: regional power status
Facts (14)
Sources
Regional Powers Still Matter! - Giga- Hamburg giga-hamburg.de 14 facts
perspectiveThe term 'regional powers' remains a useful analytical concept for understanding international politics by focusing on the regional dimension.
claimRegional powers do not automatically serve as multipliers of policies within their regions, partly due to the often low degree of regional integration.
claimDomestic dynamics have a major impact on the ability of regional powers to shape their regions, a factor that has been neglected in the study of regional powers.
claimRegional powers often face contradictory demands between their global and regional policies, which frequently results in indecisive, reluctant, or contradictory policy choices.
claimRegional powers are currently facing significant domestic challenges, including economic downturns, corruption, reduced state capacity to mobilize resources, growing populist sentiments, and a drift toward authoritarianism.
referenceThe German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) drove the academic debate on 'regional powers,' leading to comparative insights on regional political dynamics, including patterns of leadership, followership, hegemony, contestation, and the influence of regional powers on regional cooperation.
perspectivePolicymakers in the 'West' should be more attentive to the concerns of regional powers and consider potential synergies between their own goals and those of the regional powers' neighbors, rather than unilaterally pressuring regional powers.
claimRegional power status should not be equated with regional leadership, as regional powers are not always able or willing to represent their regions or serve as policy multipliers among their neighbors.
claimEconomic and domestic political crises, alongside global structural shifts, have led to increased interconnection across national, regional, and global levels, causing scholars to question the ability of regional powers like Brazil, India, and South Africa to impact global politics in the 21st century.
claimRegional powers are expected to contribute to regional and global order by ensuring stability and effective regional cooperation in a world that is increasingly difficult to govern.
claimThe analytical category of 'regional powers' allows for the identification of specific regional dynamics, distinct from global power status.
claimRegional powers can utilize their status as rising powers in global politics to set priorities between regional and global levels.
claimRegional powers often face contestation and resistance from regional neighbors, or experience internal conflict between different expectations, which can lead them to pursue indecisive or reluctant policies.
accountThe study of regional powers became a central area of concern for International Relations scholars across the globe during the first decade of the 21st century.