Middle powers trade policy. Why international political economy needs to pay closer attention to it
Autores/as
-
Nicolás Albertoni
Georgetown University American Institute Fellow
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4790-072X
Descargar
Resumen
As the international system continues its shift toward multipolarity, middle powers are playing increasingly prominent and proactive roles in shaping global trade governance. This article argues for the inclusion of middle powers' trade strategies as a critical new dimension in International Political Economy (IPE) research. It first offers a comprehensive theoretical overview of the middle power concept, highlighting its evolution and definitional debates. It then presents a comparative analysis of middle power trade diplomacy through case studies from different regions, than can be study by further research. Finally, it explores how these actors are contributing to reshaping global trade architecture and why their strategies deserve deeper attention in IPE scholarship. In doing so, this study contributes to a broader understanding of how normative, diplomatic, and coalition-building capabilities intersect with trade policy to define the agency of middle powers in the 21st century.
Palabras clave:
Middle powers , Trade policy , Global trade , Governance , International Political Economy (IPE) , Diplomatic AgencyCitas
Atlas Institute (2023). The Role of Middle Powers in Global Diplomacy. https://atlasinstitute.org/the-role-of-middle-powers-in-global-diplomacy/
Azmeh, S. (2024). ‘Saving the WTO’: middle power insiders and joint statement initiatives at the World Trade Organisation. New Political Economy, 29(1), 60-74.
Chapnick, A. (1999). The middle power. Canadian Foreign Policy, 7(2), 73–82.
Cooper, A.F., Higgott, R., & Nossal, K.R. (1993). Relocating Middle Powers: Australia and Canada in a Changing World Order. UBC Press.
Cooper, D.A. (2011). Challenging contemporary notions of middle power influence: implications of the proliferation security initiative for “Middle Power Theory”. Foreign Policy Analysis, 7(3), 317-336.
Elliott, D. (2024, January 26). Middle powers: What are they and why do they matter? World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/middle-powers-multilateralism-international-relations/
Higgott, R. (2017). Enhancing the EU's International Cultural Relations: The Prospects and Limits of Cultural Diplomacy. Institute for European Studies.
Hinrich Foundation. (2023). What’s in a Middle Power? Global Trade’s Future. https://www.hinrichfoundation.com/research/article/trade-and-geopolitics/what-s-in-a-middle-power-global-trade-s-future/
Hobson, J.M. (2000). The state and international relations. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
International Monetary Fund (2025). Korea in a Changing Global Trade Landscape. IMF Staff Country Reports, 2025(042), https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229001540.002.A002
Jordaan, E. (2003). The Concept of a Middle Power in International Relations: Distinguishing Between Emerging and Traditional Middle Powers. Politikon, 30(2), 165–181.
Kalinowski, T., & Cho, H. (2012). Korea's Search For A Global Role Between Hard Economic Interests And Soft Power. The European Journal of Development Research, 24, 242-260.
Laurence, M. (2023). Middle Powers. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies. (Oct. 18),https://oxfordre.com/internationalstudies/view/10.1093/acre-fore/9780190846626.001.0001/acrefore-9780190846626-e-783
LISA News (2024). Transition to a New Multipolar Order: The Role of Emerging Powers and Technological Innovation. https://www.lisanews.org/lisa-challenge/transicion-hacia-un-nuevo-orden-multipolar-el-rol-de-las-potencias-emergentes-y-la-innovacion-tecnologica/
Policy Center for the New South (2025). 2025: Year of Middle Powers.
https://www.policycenter.ma/publications/2025-year-middle-powers
Shin, Dong-min (2015, 4 de diciembre). A critical review of the concept of middle power. E-International Relations. https://www.e-ir.info/2015/12/04/a-critical-review-of-the-concept-of-middle-power/
TRT World Research Centre. (2024). Middle Powers Say New Trade Routes Will Be Lifeblood of Multipolar World. https://researchcentre.trtworld.com/featured/middle-powers-new-trade-routes-will-be-lifeblood-of-multipolar-world
Wight, M. (1978). Power politics. New York, NY: Holmes & Meier.
WTO (2024). 30 Years of the WTO: A Middle Powers Moment. https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/30y_e/dg_piie_2dec24_e.pdf
World Economic Forum (2024). Pivotal Moment for the Rise of the Middle Powers. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/03/pivotal-moment-for-the-rise-of-the-middle-powers/
Twitter