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The Palgrave Handbook of Contemporary International Political Economy pp 201–215Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Middle Powers in the International Political Economy

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Part of the book series: Palgrave Handbooks in IPE ((PHIPE))

Abstract

This chapter considers the prospects for middle powers to play a more influential role in the international political economy. Given that the international economy has been plagued by recurrent crises of late, this ought to be an arena in which policy innovation was welcome. The reality, however, is rather different: great powers continue to dominate and middle powers remain constrained by wider geopolitical constraints and considerations. These claims are illustrated in the case of Australia, a country that has been at the forefront of middle power activism and policy debates.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

    Mark Beeson

Authors
  1. Mark Beeson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Timothy M. Shaw

  2. Bavarian School of Public Policy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Laura C. Mahrenbach

  3. Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India

    Renu Modi

  4. School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia

    Xu Yi-chong

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Cite this chapter

Beeson, M. (2019). Middle Powers in the International Political Economy. In: Shaw, T.M., Mahrenbach, L.C., Modi, R., Yi-chong, X. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Contemporary International Political Economy. Palgrave Handbooks in IPE. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-45443-0_13

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