The rise of authoritarian middle-powers and what it means for world politics / Marie-Eve Desrosiers, Nic Cheeseman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Desrosiers, Marie-Eve, author.

Cheeseman, Nic, 1979- author.

Series:

Cambridge elements. Elements in international relations

Cambridge elements. Elements in international relations, 2515-706X

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Authoritarianism--History--21st century.

Authoritarianism.

International relations--History--21st century.

International relations.

Middle powers--History--21st century.

Middle powers.

World politics--21st century.

World politics.

Genre:

History

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2026.

Summary:

"In recent years, a group of influential authoritarian states has emerged that fall between the ranks of great powers and small states. These authoritarian middle-powers – such as Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates – exert considerable influence, particularly in their region. Yet this development has been overlooked in favor of a focus on superpowers, especially China and Russia. We therefore lack a framework for understanding their behavior and impact. This Element offers the first comprehensive analysis of how non-democratic middle-powers engage abroad. Drawing on critical case studies, it shows how the combination of authoritarian politics and mid-level status leads to distinctive foreign policies. In particular, these strategies erode global democratic norms and institutions through a combination of hard power and transnational repression tempered by hedging and legitimation strategies. In this way, authoritarian middle-powers are helping to unravel the liberal rules-based order"-- Cambridge Core.

Contents:

Middle powers: why do we need a revised theory?

Multilateralism and international relations-building

Power projection and foreign policy

Nation-branding and the ideas and ideologies used to foster legitimacy

Conclusion: toward a new research agenda on authoritarian middle powers.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Online resource; title from PDF title page (Cambridge Core, viewed February 20, 2026).

Other Format:

Print version: Desrosiers, Marie-Eve. Rise of authoritarian middle-powers and what it means for world politics

ISBN:

9781009705264

1009705261

OCLC:

1559962788

Publisher Number:

CIPO000314601

Access Restriction:

Some versions: Open access versions available from some providers open access