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Empire, Hegemony, and Leadership: Developing a Research Framework for the Study of Regional Powers

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  • Destradi, Sandra

Abstract

Regional powers are often conceived of as regional leading powers, states which adopt a cooperative and benevolent attitude in their international relations with their neighbors. The paper argues that regional powers can follow a much wider range of foreign policy strategies in their region. Three ideal-typical regional strategies are identified: empire, hegemony, and leadership. The paper is devoted to a theory-led distinction and clarification of these three terms, which are often used interchangeably in the field of international relations. According to the goals pursued, to the means employed, and to other discriminating features such as the degree of legitimation and the type of self-representation by the dominant state, the paper outlines the essential traits of imperial, hegemonic, and leading strategies and identifies subtypes for better classifying hegemony and leadership.

Suggested Citation

  • Destradi, Sandra, 2008. "Empire, Hegemony, and Leadership: Developing a Research Framework for the Study of Regional Powers," GIGA Working Papers 79, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:gigawp:79
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Huhn, Sebastian, 2008. "Discourses on Violence in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua: Social Perceptions in Everyday Life," GIGA Working Papers 81, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.

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