Rethinking Middle Powers in the Asian Century [electronic resource] : New Theories, New Cases.

Description based upon print version of record.

Rethinking Middle Powers in the Asian Century- Front Cover; Half Title; Series Page; Title Page; Copyright Page; Contents; List of figures and tables; Figures; Tables; Notes on contributors; Introduction; The rise of middle powers; Middle powers in the Asian Century; The "third wave" of middle powers; Defining our parameters for study; Organisation of the book; Notes; References; PART I: Theoretical approaches; Chapter 1: Middle powers: A comprehensive definition and typology; A new definition; A new typology; Conclusion; Notes; References

Chapter 2: The historical determination of the middle power conceptIntroduction; Ancient times; Post-classical and early modern era; 19th and 20th centuries; An introductory framework for middle powers through history; Conclusion; Notes; References; Chapter 3: Defining middle powers through IR theory: Three images; Introduction; Middle power theorising to the present; Conclusion; Notes; References; Chapter 4: Interlocutors for peace? Bringing middle powers in from the theoretical cold; Introduction; The opaqueness of the middle power concept

What is to be done? Three configurations of middle power thinkingConclusion; References; Chapter 5: Middle powers in the agency-structure debate; Introduction; Middle powers in the agency-structure debate; The concept of emergence and the role of middle power; Conclusions; Notes; References; Chapter 6: Too big to fit? Locating "rising powers" regarding the middle power category; Introduction; Material attributes; Ideational attributes; Behavioural attributes; Relational attributes; Positional attributes; Conclusion; Note; References; Chapter 7: Interrogating middle powers' behaviour

IntroductionMiddle powers and agency within international institutions; Methodological approach and methods; Elected members (E10) of the UN Security Council (UNSC); Conclusion; Notes; References; Chapter 8: Faith no more: Reflections on the distinction between traditional and emerging middle powers; Introduction; Defining middle powers: Power, position, identity, niche diplomacy; Middle powers as stabilisers; Middle powers as legitimisers; Conclusion; Notes; References; Chapter 9: Middle power assertiveness as a behavioural model in foreign policy; Introduction

Assertive foreign policy and 21st-century middle powersMiddle power assertiveness: Middle powers as "normal" international citizens?; Conclusion; References; PART II: Case studies; Chapter 10: Middle powers and power shifts: Australian foreign policy towards China and Japan; Introduction; Australia and the middle power debate; Regional dynamics: Australian policy towards China; Regional dynamics: Australian policy towards Japan; Power transition in the Asia-Pacific and Australia's options as a traditional middle power; Conclusion; Notes; References

Chapter 11: Adjusting the middle to fit the frame: Canada in the changing global order

The term "middle power" is conceptually fragile. Some scholars have even argued for abandoning it. This book argues that the concept needs to be analysed more profoundly and that new analytical tools need to be developed to better understand the phenomenon. The traditional approach, based on Western states, is insufficient and has become increasingly irrelevant in a transformed global environment. Instead of drawing from a single theory of international relations, the contributors have chosen to build upon a wide range of theories in a deliberate demonstration of analytic eclecticism. A pluralistic approach provides stronger explanations while remaining analytically and intellectually rigorous. Many of the theory contributions are reconsidering how the largely "Western" bases of such theorising need revising in light of the "emerging middle powers", many of which are in Asia.Presenting a strong argument for studying middle powers, this book explores both the theory and empirical applications of the concept by rethinking the definition and characteristics of middle powers using a range of case studies. It examines changes in the study of middle powers over the last decade, proposing to look at the concept of middle powers in a coherent and inclusive manner. Finally, it aims to further the discussion on the evolution of the international system and provides sound conclusions about the theoretical usefulness and empirical evolution of middle powers today.

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