Neoclassical Realism and Small State Behavior: Understanding Kosovo’s Foreign Policy

Year 2024, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 109 - 122, 31.12.2024

Zafer Sağlam

Abstract

Despite recognition from the United States and many Western allies, Kosovo is not yet a member of the European Council or the United Nations. Seeing the Kosovo's case through the lens of neoclassical realism and small state concept, this article highlights the importance of the domestic political system and leadership image in the foreign policy making of Kosovo. It argues that Kosovo's political elite, affected by nationalism, largely shapes the country's foreign policy. The “small state” emphasized here is broader in meaning than the “weak state” used in realism and was attempted to be used as an analytical tool in the international relations discipline after the 1960s, when small states emerged in the system. The aricle explores the behavioral patterns associated with small states and notes Kosovo's inclination towards hedging behavior and questions the effectiveness of this strategy amidst the uncertainties and risks arise in its foreign policy.

Keywords

Kosovo, Neoclassical Realism, Small States, Hedging, Soft-Balancing

Neoklasik Realizm ve Küçük Devlet Davranışı: Kosova'nın Dış Politikasını Anlamak

Abstract

Amerika Birleşik Devletleri ve birçok Batılı müttefikin tanımasına rağmen Kosova henüz Avrupa Konseyi veya Birleşmiş Milletler üyesi değildir. Kosova'nın durumuna neoklasik realizm ve küçük devlet kavramı merceğinden bakan makale, Kosova'nın dış politika yapımında iç siyasi sistemin ve liderlik imajının önemini vurgulamaktadır. Milliyetçilikten etkilenen Kosova'nın siyasi elitinin ülkenin dış politikasını büyük ölçüde şekillendirdiği savunulmaktadır. Makale, küçük devletlerle ilişkili davranış kalıplarını araştırmakta, Kosova'nın korunma davranışına olan eğilimini not etmekte ve dış politikasında ortaya çıkan belirsizlikler ve riskler ortasında bu stratejinin etkinliğini sorgulumaktadır.

Keywords

Kosova, Neoklasik Realizm, Küçük Devletler, Riskten Korunma (Hedging), Yumuşak Dengeleme

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