Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International
Pages: 186
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Trim: 6⅜ x 9
978-1-78660-988-5 • Hardback • November 2018 • $147.00 • (£113.00)
978-1-5381-5873-9 • Paperback • November 2021 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
978-1-78660-989-2 • eBook • November 2018 • $38.00 • (£30.00)
Dr. Joshua B. Spero, Professor of International Politics/Political Science at Fitchburg State University (Fitchburg, MA, USA) since 2003, coordinates the International Studies Minor Program and Political Science, Washington Center Internship Programs. From 1988-2000, Dr. Spero served in the U.S. Government, his last public service position as Joint Chiefs of Staff/Senior Civilian Strategic/Scenario Planner, 1994-2000).
Introduction: Setting the Scene for Three Pivotal Middle Powers
Chapter One: Bridging Europe’s Divide: Post-Communist Poland (1989-1991)
Chapter Two: Bridging Asia’s Divide: Post-Authoritarian, Post-Ruling Party South Korea (1998-2003)
Chapter Three: Bridging South America’s Divide: Post-Colonial Indigenous Ruling Bolivia (2006-2009)
Conclusion: Middle Powers do Matter Regionally
Bibliography
Joshua Spero’s illuminating study takes a fresh look at international power’s complexities with distinctly different nations from different continents, convincingly explaining how each became key players regionally. Where attention increasingly fixates on reemerging "Great Power" competition, this excellent, well-written book reminds us that seemingly less powerful countries in every region geo-politically "punch above their weight," always remaining key during foreign policy formulation.
— Peter Zwack, International Security Expert, US Army Brigadier-General (Ret.) and former Defense Attaché to the Russian Federation (2012-2014)
It’s hard to find a more-timely study given emerging challenges to the post-WWII liberal international order. Spero’s analysis provides especially important power models to consider for strategic bridging roles by medium-size states, offering readers not only deep scholarship, but many years of senior-level governmental experience as national security policy expert. This book is a must read for foreign policy and national security practitioners, scholars, and students alike.
— Sean Kay, Robson Professor of Politics and Government, Ohio Wesleyan University
Professor Spero’s controversial text discusses Evo Morales’s foreign policy impact to evaluate the tense, difficult feedback for conjunctural politics – based on a leader’s personal, historic, substantive influence for middle power Bolivia’s national interest.
— Gustavo Fernández, Former Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Consultant
This book develops analytic tools to work through how most nations can function and succeed. His gripping case studies shed light on impressive achievements by intelligent, moderate middle power leaderships, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles by their larger neighbors.
— James Colbert, Professor Emeritus, Fitchburg State University
This formidable account offers some astutely selected countries' rise to middle powers status. Josh Spero’s treatment of ‘policy junctures’ and ‘other-help bridging’ as crucial explanatory devices in regional geopolitics is highly imaginative and illustrative. These case studies make for a fascinating read on regional players usually not in the limelight of global attention.
— Alexander Brand, Professor of Political Science/International Relations, Rhine-Waal University
Spero’s insightful analysis demonstrates securing relations with Russia, Ukraine, united Germany, and Visegrad cooperation allowed Poland to lead Central Europe into NATO and the EU. His lessons learned remain very relevant for present geopolitical crises.
— Krzysztof Zielke, Political Advisor, European Parliament