Survival Strategies of Small States among Great Powers. The Case of Romania
Survival Strategies of Small States among Great Powers. The Case of Romania

Summary/Abstract: Within the academic debate concerning international relations, the general emphasis of studies has been placed upon great powers and the relations among them. However, after the Second World War, small states were increasingly taken into account as significant actors in international politics, mainly due to the growing role of international organisations. Thus, researchers noticed that, despite asymmetric capabilities between great powers and small states (in terms of population, territory, military and economic strength), with regard to influence at international level, small states are a category that is worth analysing. Their comparative advantage can be mainly found in the capability to establish and develop relations between themselves and with the great powers. The main research question of this article is whether a small state can survive among the competing interests of the great powers in its region. The case study used by the article concerns Romania, which can be considered a small state in Eastern Europe, both in terms of surface and population. The article attempts to acknowledge the role of the historical evolution of the Romanian state in creating a particular strategic culture, which underlines the main orientation of Romanian foreign policy even today.

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