The multilateral, rules-based order built since the end of the Second World War is unravelling. In its place we face great-power rivalry, resurgent nationalism and populism, and eroding international institutions. The Hobbesian reality that remains eventually harms everyone but threatens non-superpowers the most.

Combined strength as an alternative

Consequently, the need for an alternative is apparent. One possible alternative lies in the combined strength of middle powers. Individually, Europe, alongside countries such as Canada, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Argentina and Australia, wield significant hard, economic and soft power, yet none can secure a stable order alone. Together they theoretically share an interest in rebuilding rules that offer predictability and safeguard their interests. Can they deliver that potential? How do elites and citizens imagine the order that will emerge, and what principles and logic are currently being discussed?

Collaboration in times of geopolitical turmoil

Our research theme focuses on middle power collaboration in times of geopolitical turmoil. We ask a broad range of questions. What does middle power mean, and what drives or obstructs collaboration between middle powers? How could a new system be designed, and on what legal and institutional foundations might it rest? And, normatively, whose values should shape it, and how can it address failures and injustices of the old order?

We combine theory with pragmatism. We aim to organise workshops and seminars to build an interdisciplinary network and shared research agenda and seek collaboration with external partners, including ministries, embassies, civil societies and industry.

Join

Bringing together colleagues from across Leiden University, the profiling theme connects academics from the faculties of Governance and Global Affairs, Humanities, Law and Social and Behavioural Sciences.

The team leads for this topic are Armin Cuyvers, Antoaneta Dimitrova, Sarah Wolff and Nikoleta Yordanova. Belle Beems is the project coordinator.

Does your research or teaching speak to these topics? Please reach out to geopolitics@leidenuniv.nl and join our research profiling theme!