The Role of Small States in International Relations After the Beginning of Ukranian War in 2022 – Case study of North Macedonia and Serbia

Arnaudov, Mitko (2022) The Role of Small States in International Relations After the Beginning of Ukranian War in 2022 – Case study of North Macedonia and Serbia. In: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference "Social Changes in the Global World". Faculty of Law, Goce Delcev University, Shtip, pp. 409-420. ISBN 978-608-244-904-3

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Abstract

The role of small states in international relations throughout history has been the subject of theorists of the science of international relations, and even today there is a lively debate about whether, in what way and to what extent small states contribute to international relations in ongoing processes in international relations. The key question that dominates the realistic theory of international relations is whether small states can have an independent foreign policy at all, thus whether they can have independent foreign policy strategies or their role in international relations is subordinated to the great powers. In this paper, on the example of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia, we will try to analyze and explain the role of small states in current international relations, and in the context of the Ukrainian war. Thus, we will provide a new contribution to the science of international relations on the foreign policy role and foreign policy activities of small states in international relations, while, on a practical level, we will show that there are no unchangeable rules determining foreign policy actions of small states, both in theory and practice. The positioning of North Macedonia, as a permanent member state of NATO and Serbia, as a military neutral country, but both politically committed to the European future, respectively membership in the EU, will serve as an example in this paper that will provide a scientific explanation that not always small countries make dependent foreign policy decisions, regardless of the fact of their foreign policy orientation.

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