Entrepreneurial states versus middle powers: Distinct or intertwined frameworks?
| Published date | 01 December 2018 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0020702018809532 |
| Date | 01 December 2018 |
| Author | Andrew F. Cooper |
| Subject Matter | Scholarly Essays |
Scholarly Essay
Entrepreneurial states
versus middle powers:
Distinct or intertwined
frameworks?
Andrew F. Cooper
Political Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario,
Canada
Abstract
This article highlights both the differences and similarities between the concepts of
entrepreneurial states and middle powers. The use of the entrepreneurial state as
the central framing device is distinctive in a number of ways, including reducing the
emphasis on hierarchy in the global system. Yet for all the divergences, the two frames
are indelibly intertwined, above all in privileging agency over structural positioning.
In either case there is an element of constant flux and reinvention, which justifies
ongoing research. Just when the elevation of the G20 and the appearance of MIKTA
appeared to provide some discipline to the image of a middle power, the notion of
entrepreneurial states stretches the number of countries to be included. At the same
time, however, attributes that reflect some middle power sensibility are embedded
within the entrepreneurial state set of practices.
Keywords
Entrepreneurial states, middle powers, G20, MIKTA, diplomatic brand, strategic
innovation
The introduction to this special issue frames entrepreneurial states in a differen-
tiated fashion from middle powers. These differences come to the fore—and offer
an attractive alternative mode of analysis—in a number of ways. The most obvious
is that the entrepreneurial framework discards any pretense that its cast of coun-
tries is located in the ‘‘middle’’ of the global hierarchy. Entrepreneurial states can
International Journal
2018, Vol. 73(4) 596–608
!The Author(s) 2018
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sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/0020702018809532
journals.sagepub.com/home/ijx
Corresponding author:
Andrew F. Cooper – University of Waterloo, Political Science, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo,
Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
Email: acooper@uwaterloo.ca
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