Intermediary bodies in international politics: conceptual and historical observations on Northern Europe’s small states in the international system in the 19th and 20th centuries

Jonas, Michael

doi:10.1163/25891774-bja10108

Intermediary bodies in international politics: conceptual and historical observations on Northern Europe’s small states in the international system in the 19th and 20th centuries

Publication date

2023-10-13

Document type

Forschungsartikel

Author

Jonas, Michael

Organisational unit

Neuere und Neueste Geschichte

DOI

10.1163/25891774-bja10108

URI

https://openhsu.ub.hsu-hh.de/handle/10.24405/22674

Publisher

Brill

Series or journal

Diplomatica

ISSN

2589-1766

Periodical volume

5

Periodical issue

2

First page

204

Last page

224

Peer-reviewed

✅

Part of the university bibliography

✅

Language

English

Abstract

The article addresses central problems in the field of small state studies. By revisiting Paul W. Schroeder’s often neglected term “intermediary bodies” in the international system, it attempts to provide a broader conceptual alternative to established categories of description and definition such as “smallness” and “weakness.” In Schroeder’s understanding, intermediary bodies affect the international system beyond functioning as mere buffers. Ultimately, intermediaries influence procedures and outcomes substantially and transcend international politics to another level beyond mere (great) power politics. The subsequent remarks explore the utility and viability of the term by practically applying it to two historical examples: the Danish unitary monarchy within the German Confederation and the role of Finland as an intermediary during, before, and beyond the Cold War. Schroeder’s concept is thereby introduced into varying international contexts and bridges the gap between the history of the 19th century international system and the later modern period.

Version

Published version

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