Book review : The success of small states in international relations : mice that roar

Abstract

Godfrey Baldacchino has assembled a fine collection of essays that seek to explain how and why small states in the international system have been able to achieve success. Subtitling the volume as “Mice That Roar?” enables the authors to wrestle with the maxim that the small do not typically fare well in international relations. But the question mark also conditions the findings somewhat, as the various authors demonstrate varying levels of success for each of their case studies. This conceptual approach is important because the volume provides plentiful examples of how small states should not be underestimated, while at the same time not trying to overplay the challenges smaller states and territories find themselves confronting.