This work takes a look at how small states are characterized in the political science discipline of international relations, and what kinds of strategies they use to secure their interests in a globalized world. With the example of Ireland as a small and classically neutral state, the focus thereby lays on the foreign policy strategy of neutrality. Why do small European states adopt a neutral foreign policy and how does this strategy influence the development of the state? To understand the theoretical background of this theme and to get a clear understanding of the term, first the theoretical concept of small states in international relations needs to be explained in a small overview including various definitions and approaches regarding their foreign policy. Proceeding from a review of their different strategies, the specific neutral strategy gets examined depending the the early political-historical background, different kinds of neutrality and neutrality rights. This will then be applied to the specific Irish case. More in-depth focused here is the question: can the Irish foreign policy in the 21st century still be phrased as neutral and what consequences are entailed in the answer? To achieve this, there is the need for an analysis of the Irish neutrality concept and it's development. This will be done in the third part of this work by reviewing the political-historical background of the Irish derivation of the neutrality concept and later also taking into account the latest white paper regarding Ireland's foreign policy from 2015. Also a glance at the meso-level in form of the Irish participation in international organizations like the European Union will be helpful to evaluate Ireland's degree of neutrality. At the end, cases of neutrality conflicts are gonna be pointed out and discussed in regard to the research question.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theory of small states
2.1. Definition in international relations
2.2. Strategies of small states
3. Neutrality as a strategy of small states
3.1. History of the concept
3.2. Forms of neutrality
3.3. Neutral rights
4. Irish foreign policy of neutral military
4.1. Historical background of the Irish foreign policy
4.2. Irish participation in international organizations
4.3. Neutrality conflicts?
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This work explores how small states are characterized in international relations and identifies the strategies they employ to secure their interests within a globalized world. Using Ireland as a primary case study, the research investigates the foreign policy strategy of neutrality, questioning its viability and consistency in the 21st century given modern security challenges and international institutional integration.
- The theoretical conceptualization of "small states" in international politics.
- Common foreign policy strategies, including alliances, strategic hedging, and neutrality.
- The historical development and specific legal forms of neutrality.
- An evaluation of Irish foreign policy, specifically its claim to "neutral military" status.
- The tensions arising from Ireland’s participation in international organizations like the UN, EU, and NATO-related missions.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 Historical Background of the Irish foreign policy
Since the foundation of the Irish Free State (1922) through the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, resulting from the War of Independence against Great Britain after the Easter Rising in 1916 and the Declaration of Independence of 1919 forming the Irish Republic, the main goal of the Irish foreign policy was to obtain and expand its independence and to end the partition of the country since Northern Ireland decided to opt out and stay in the United Kingdom. Shaped by the long lasting bilateral relationship with Great Britain and the sudden breach with this great power, Ireland has been emphasizing his neutrality since then as a direct signal of independence from Great Britain, even joining the League of Nations in 1923 to gain the recognition of others states. Finally in 1937 the new Constitution of Ireland changed the dominion status of Ireland into an independent and sovereign member of the Commonwealth (even leading up to its resignation from this last British sphere of influence under the Republic of Ireland Act of 1949), but thereby explicitly predefining its claim of Northern Ireland. Coincidentally “the new 1938 Anglo-Irish Treaty and the return of the Treaty Ports paved the way for neutrality.” After that it did not take long for the first big performance test for the neutral Ireland: “On 14 December 1941 Éamon de Valera said in Cork that there could be no change in the status of neutrality: 'From the moment this war began, there was for this state only one policy possible – neutrality.'”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the research question concerning the viability of Irish neutrality in the 21st century against the backdrop of European integration and security developments.
2. Theory of small states: Explores definitions of power in international relations and outlines common strategies, such as bandwagoning or balancing, that small states use to manage security.
3. Neutrality as a strategy of small states: Traces the historical roots of neutrality, categorizes its various forms (ordinary, factual, permanent), and details the rights associated with this status.
4. Irish foreign policy of neutral military: Analyzes the history of Irish neutrality, its relationship with international organizations, and the contradictions posed by its recent peacekeeping and cooperation activities.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, arguing that while Ireland may claim factual neutrality, practical policy deviations and historical shifts necessitate a re-evaluation of its strategy.
Keywords
Small states, international relations, neutrality, Irish foreign policy, military neutrality, European Union, NATO, strategic hedging, peacekeeping, national security, sovereignty, international law, 21st century, Ireland, political history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work examines how small states navigate international politics and specifically investigates the evolution and current status of Ireland’s "neutral military" foreign policy.
What are the main thematic pillars of the study?
The study centers on three pillars: the general theoretical framework of small states, the legal and historical concept of neutrality, and the practical application and conflicts of this strategy in the Irish context.
What is the core research question?
The core question is whether Irish foreign policy in the 21st century can still be accurately described as neutral, given the entanglements of modern international security obligations.
Which methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a literature-based approach, relying on introductory volumes in international relations, official policy documents, and contemporary news articles to perform an objective assessment.
What topics are discussed in the main section?
The main section covers the historical origins of Irish independence, the country's participation in international organizations, its evolving security cooperation with the EU and NATO, and the challenges posed by peacekeeping mandates.
Which keywords best characterize this document?
Key terms include small states, neutrality, Irish foreign policy, European integration, and international security strategies.
How does the author define the "Small Power" concept?
The author discusses various definitions, highlighting that a small power is typically characterized by its inability to obtain security through its own capabilities alone, often relying on institutions or larger allies.
Why is the 1998 Belfast Agreement significant for the thesis?
The author argues that because this agreement resolved the partition conflict—which was a primary driver for Irish neutrality—the traditional rationale for maintaining a neutral stance has been significantly undermined.
How does the author critique Irish peacekeeping?
The author argues that UN peacekeeping involves a degree of impartiality that is theoretically incompatible with neutrality, suggesting that Irish participation in such missions contradicts its official neutral posture.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2019, The Irish Neutrality Concept as an Example for Foreign Policy Strategies of Small States, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/900351
