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Anders Wivel, Baldur Thorhallsson, Caroline Grøn, Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Justinas Lingevičius, Külli Sarapuu, and Primož Pevcin

Clever leadership can transform a state’s smallness into an asset when promoting national and international interests at home and abroad. Small states face structural disadvantages related to their size in the international community. Having a small population inherently inhibits the aggregate structural power of states and creates hurdles that need to be compensated for. A small state’s administrative capacity is more limited than the capacity in bigger states, making it more challenging to engage in decisive and independent policy making. Good leadership skills are required to be able to practice the correct prioritisation and tactical bargaining in international diplomatic surroundings. Small states need to defend their interests in their key sectors and within these sectors they need to be able to show leadership initiative, offer clever solutions to problems, while also wielding positive influence outwards. Leadership skills are imperative to make this happen and secure successful diplomacy for a small state.

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Clever leadership can transform a state’s smallness into an asset when promoting national and international interests at home and abroad. Small states face structural disadvantages related to their size in the international community. Having a small population inherently inhibits the aggregate structural power of states and creates hurdles that need to be compensated for. A small state’s administrative capacity is more limited than the capacity in bigger states, making it more challenging to engage in decisive and independent policy making. Good leadership skills are required to be able to practice the correct prioritisation and tactical bargaining in international diplomatic surroundings. Small states need to defend their interests in their key sectors and within these sectors they need to be able to show leadership initiative, offer clever solutions to problems, while also wielding positive influence outwards. Leadership skills are imperative to make this happen and secure successful diplomacy for a small state.

This course will give you a brief introduction into small state studies and leadership studies. We explore these topics from various perspectives, including the functioning and challenges of small public administrations and public sector economics and management in small states; the characteristics of small states’ foreign and security policies; how small states perform and profile themselves on normative leadership in gender equality; and lastly, we will focus on the challenges and opportunities of small state leadership in international diplomacy.

The course is taught by an outstanding team of scholars from the Centre for Small State Studies at the University of Iceland, the University of Copenhagen, Tallinn University of Technology, Vilnius University, the University of Ljubljana and Århus University. These scholars have already run several projects together focusing on small state studies and achieved a cross-sectoral reach into for example political science, international relations, foreign and security policy and public administration.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand and explain the concept of leadership, in particular in a small state context
  • Apply critical insight into how small states can utilize their specific characteristics to take on a leadership role in international affairs
  • Analyze through case studies the position of small states in the international community
  • Evaluate where opportunities lie for small states in taking on leadership roles
  • Analyse the impact of scale on small states’ public administration, institutional quality and governance
  • Discuss the constraints and opportunities of small states’ capacity to deal with complex policy problems domestically and internationally
  • Describe the special characteristics of role-relationships in small societies and their impact on political and administrative leadership
  • Characterize the impact of state’s size on public sector leadership and leadership development.
  • Understand and explain the characteristics of small states in foreign and security policy
  • Provide critical insight into small states' efforts in the international arena employing international organizations and other formats
  • Recognize and assess different patterns of small states' security strategies
  • Analyze through case studies the forms of leadership in foreign and security policy occurred at the state or individual level
  • Understand and explain the value placed on gender equality by small states
  • Apply critical insight into how small states can capitalize on domestic characteristics to provide normative leadership in international affairs
  • Analyze examples of small states’ leadership in the area of gender equality
  • Debate cross-cutting themes such as gender and climate change and their impact on small state leadership
  • Demonstrate how the objective of gender equality can be employed as a tool of small state policy
  • Understand and explain the characteristics of small state leadership in foreign policy and diplomacy
  • Critically apply the tools of foreign policy analysis on small state leadership in foreign policy and diplomacy
  • Analyze the leadership of small states in foreign policy and diplomacy using concepts of small state strategy
  • Evaluate opportunities and challenges and discuss dilemmas faced by small states seeking leadership in foreign policy and diplomacy
  • Module 1 - introduction to leadership in small states
  • After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Module 2 - leadership in public administration and governance
  • After completing this module you will be able to:
  • Module 3 - small states leadership in foreign and security policy
  • Module 4 - small state leadership in gender policy
  • Module 5 - small state foreign policy - taking leadership in international diplomacy

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops leadership skills, which are core skills for diplomacy
Taught by instructors who are recognized for their work in small state studies
Examines small states' efforts employing international organizations, which is highly relevant in international affairs
Teaches students how to leverage characteristics of small states to take on leadership roles in foreign affairs
Can provide students with a comprehensive study of small state studies
Requires learners to come in with existing diplomacy skills, which may be a barrier to entry for some students

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Small States and Leadership with these activities:
Attend a conference on small state studies
Attending a conference on small state studies will provide an opportunity to learn from experts in the field and network with other students and professionals.
Browse courses on International Relations
Show steps
  • Find a conference on small state studies.
  • Register for the conference.
  • Attend the conference sessions.
  • Network with other attendees.
Review public administration
Reviewing public administration will help in understanding the challenges and opportunities of small states in taking on leadership roles.
Browse courses on Public Administration
Show steps
  • Read through notes or textbooks on public administration.
  • Summarize the key concepts of public administration.
  • Identify the challenges and opportunities of small states in public administration.
Read 'Small States in World Politics' by Stephen Krasner
Reading 'Small States in World Politics' will provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities faced by small states in the international system.
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on the key concepts.
  • Summarize the main arguments of the book.
  • Apply the concepts to real-world examples.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Participate in a workshop on small state leadership
Participating in a workshop on small state leadership will provide an opportunity to learn from experts in the field and develop your own leadership skills.
Browse courses on Foreign Policy
Show steps
  • Find a workshop on small state leadership.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop sessions.
  • Participate in the workshop activities.
Follow tutorials on foreign and security policy
Following tutorials on foreign and security policy will help in understanding the characteristics of small states in foreign and security policy.
Browse courses on Foreign Policy
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on foreign and security policy.
  • Watch the tutorials and take notes.
  • Summarize the key concepts of foreign and security policy.
  • Identify the characteristics of small states in foreign and security policy.
Create a presentation on small state leadership in gender policy
Creating a presentation on small state leadership in gender policy will help in understanding the value placed on gender equality by small states.
Show steps
  • Gather information on small state leadership in gender policy.
  • Develop a presentation outline.
  • Create the presentation slides.
  • Practice the presentation.
  • Deliver the presentation.
Analyze case studies of small state leadership
Analyzing case studies of small state leadership will help in understanding the challenges and opportunities of small state leadership in foreign policy and diplomacy.
Browse courses on Case Studies
Show steps
  • Identify case studies of small state leadership.
  • Read and analyze the case studies.
  • Identify the key challenges and opportunities faced by the small states in the case studies.
  • Develop recommendations for how small states can overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities identified in the case studies.

Career center

Learners who complete Small States and Leadership will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Diplomat
Diplomats represent their countries abroad and negotiate on their behalf. Small states often face unique challenges in international diplomacy, and Diplomats from these states need to be skilled in leveraging their country's strengths to secure favorable outcomes. This course can provide Diplomats with insights into the leadership strategies and tactics used by small states, which can help them to be more effective in their roles.
Foreign Policy Advisor
Foreign Policy Advisors provide advice to governments on foreign policy issues. In small states, Foreign Policy Advisors play a vital role in helping their governments to navigate the complex international landscape and to develop effective foreign policies. This course can provide Foreign Policy Advisors with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of small states in the international arena, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.
Public Administrator
Public Administrators manage the operations of government agencies. In small states, Public Administrators often have to be able to develop and implement effective policies with limited resources. This course can provide Public Administrators with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working in small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. In small states, Policy Analysts often have to be able to work with a variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and the public. This course can provide Policy Analysts with a better understanding of the policymaking process in small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.
Political Consultant
Political Consultants advise candidates and political parties on campaign strategy. In small states, Political Consultants often have to be able to develop and implement effective campaigns with limited resources. This course can provide Political Consultants with a better understanding of the political landscape in small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.
Executive Director
Executive Directors are responsible for the overall management of organizations, including setting strategic direction, developing budgets, and overseeing operations. In small states, Executive Directors often have to be adaptable and resourceful in order to achieve their goals. This course can provide Executive Directors with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of leading in a small state context, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful.
Lobbyist
Lobbyists represent organizations before government agencies and officials. In small states, Lobbyists often have to be able to build strong relationships with government officials in order to be successful. This course can provide Lobbyists with a better understanding of the political and administrative landscape of small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be effective in their roles.
Government Relations Manager
Government Relations Managers represent organizations before government agencies and officials. In small states, Government Relations Managers often have to be able to build strong relationships with government officials in order to be successful. This course can provide Government Relations Managers with a better understanding of the political and administrative landscape of small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be effective in their roles.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. In small states, Nonprofit Managers often have to be able to develop and implement effective programs with limited resources. This course can provide Nonprofit Managers with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working in small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.
Researcher
Researchers conduct research on a variety of topics. In small states, Researchers often have to be able to work with limited resources. This course can provide Researchers with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working in small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.
International Development Officer
International Development Officers work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. In small states, International Development Officers often have to be able to work with a variety of stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and international organizations. This course can provide International Development Officers with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working in small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.
Writer
Writers create content for a variety of purposes. In small states, Writers often have to be able to write for a variety of audiences. This course can provide Writers with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working in small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.
Media Relations Manager
Media Relations Managers represent organizations to the media. In small states, Media Relations Managers often have to be able to build strong relationships with journalists in order to be successful. This course can provide Media Relations Managers with a better understanding of the media landscape in small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be effective in their roles.
Public relations manager
Public Relations Managers represent organizations to the public. In small states, Public Relations Managers often have to be able to build strong relationships with the public in order to be successful. This course can provide Public Relations Managers with a better understanding of the media landscape in small states, and can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be effective in their roles.
Analyst
Analysts examine data to understand complex issues that drive decision making. In the context of small states, Analysts can play a pivotal role in using data to develop solutions and strategies that maximize opportunities and mitigate challenges. This course on Small States and Leadership can help build a foundation for Analysts to understand the unique dynamics of small states, including their strengths and vulnerabilities, and to effectively analyze data related to small state leadership.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Small States and Leadership.
Analyzes the security challenges and strategies of small states in the international system, exploring how they can enhance their security through various means, such as alliances, regional organizations, and international law.
Examines the challenges and opportunities that small states face in the 21st century. It valuable resource for students and scholars of small state studies and international relations.
Examines the role of small states in the global economy. It valuable resource for students and scholars of small state studies and international relations.
Examines the role of small states in global justice. It valuable resource for students and scholars of small state studies and international relations.
Examines the role of small states in the developing world. It valuable resource for students and scholars of small state studies and international relations.
Examines the role of small states in the international political economy. It valuable resource for students and scholars of small state studies and international relations.
Examines the challenges and opportunities faced by public administration in small states, focusing on issues such as limited resources, capacity constraints, and the need for innovation and adaptability.

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