Review article
https://doi.org/10.20901/pm.60.2.05
The Concept of Awkward Powers in Foreign Relations: Comparative Analysis of Canada and the European Union
Jernej Pikalo
; Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mitja Durnik
; Faculty of Public Administration, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
This paper addresses a specific phenomenon concerning power concepts in Canadian and EU foreign policies. As is widely known, the liberal-democratic platform has dominated global relations after the end of the Cold War. Implemented power approaches are studied from theoretical perspectives of liberalism/constructivism standpoints and their realist critique. Canada has been presented mostly as a middle power in international relations trying to find its specific role as a mediator and balancer among superpowers. On the other hand, the EU is classified predominantly as a normative power with tendencies to act as a great power from some point of view. In the paper, we analyse both entities through the recent concept of ‘awkward power’, whereby states have a so-called “dubious character”, acting in-between the potential of great and middle powers.
Keywords
Power; Awkward Power; Realism; Liberalism/Constructivism; EU; Canada
Hrčak ID:
304811
URI
Publication date:
28.6.2023.
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