Middle-power definitions: confusion reigns supreme

ABSTRACT

Renewed interest in middle powers since the late 2000s has seen a surge in research. Yet an agreed definition is more elusive than ever. This compromises the ability to pursue meaningful research programs, communicate practical policy advice, and instruct future generations. Why is an agreed definition so elusive and how can this challenge be overcome? The author contends that the definition of the term ‘middle power’ has evolved to be less about discovering either ‘the meaning of a word’ or ‘the nature of a thing’ in the pursuit of knowledge, and more about persuasion, influence, coercion and, ultimately, the exercise of power. An alternative approach to definition offers the best hope to address this challenge. With this objective, the author first looks into the nature and criteria for definition in the social sciences. Second, he looks at the structure of contemporary attempts to redefine the term. Third, he analyses definitional ruptures to shed light on the rhetorical import of contests. Finally, the author turns to rhetorical theory to offer an alternative approach to the definition of the term ‘middle power’.

KEYWORDS:

• Australia
• Canada
• definition
• middle power
• rhetoric

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Jeffrey Robertson worked for the Australian government in the field of foreign policy, including as Senior Research Specialist (North Asia) in the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security section at the Australian Parliament. He provided advice to members, senators and parliamentary committees on areas relating to Australian foreign policy and East Asian economic, political and strategic affairs. While working for the Australian Parliament, he was also an adviser to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade for inquiries into Australia’s relations with the Republic of Korea and Japan, and advised Australian parliamentary delegations to the Republic of Korea and Japan. After leaving the Australian Parliament, he worked as a Visiting Professor at the Korea Development Institute’s School of Public Policy and Management. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University’s Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy and an Assistant Professor at Yonsei University.

ORCID

Jeffrey Robertson http://dx.doi.org/0000-0003-0549-505X