Title
Small powers as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: A case study of the Baltic states
Authors
Year of publication
2024
Published in
Article type
scientific article
Publication language
english
Keywords
EN
- United Nations
- Security Council
- Baltic states
- Small powers
Abstract
EN The main objective of this paper is to identify how small powers can make a difference by taking up a role at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as non-permanent members. This research takes a closer look at the Baltic states, Lithuania and Estonia, and gives a perspective for Latvia too. This paper examines whether these states use strategies that have made other small powers successful at the Security Council. Most of the materials used were documents from foreign services and the UNSC, and the methods employed were qualitative document analysis and interview. Lithuania was successful at making resolutions and highlighted topics, such as small arms and protection of journalists, whereas Estonia was successful at agenda setting and highlighted cyber security and environment security. Small powers can successfully work at the UNSC by setting the agenda and working on resolutions. However, their time as part of the UNSC is limited and their abilities to solve military conflicts depend on the support of the great powers. The Baltic states used some strategies that other small powers have successfully used, although they lacked influence for mediation and coalition building.
Pages (from - to)
33 - 54
License type
CC BY (attribution alone)
Open Access Mode
open journal
Open Access Text Version
final published version
Release date
28.03.2024
Date of Open Access to the publication
at the time of publication
Ministry points / journal
70
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