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9781786609885

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Professor Spero's controversial text is a good starting point to discuss the impact of Evo Morales's foreign policy and, from there, to see and evaluate the tense and difficult feedback between conjunctural political affinities --based on the personal interpretation of the leader-- and the historic and substantive agenda of national interest in a country like Bolivia. -- Gustavo Fernandez, Former Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Consultant Middle Powers and Regional Influence develops the analytic tools to work out the problem of how most nations (those that are not major powers) can function and succeed. His gripping case studies of Poland, South Korea, and Bolivia shed light on impressive results achieved by intelligent and moderate leadership, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles presented by their larger neighbors. -- James Colbert, Professor Emeritus, Fitchburg State University

Joshua Spero's illuminating study takes a fresh look at international power's complexities with distinctly different nations from different continents, convincingly explaining how each became key players regionally. Where attention increasingly fixates on reemerging Great Power competition, this excellent, well-written book reminds us that seemingly less powerful countries in every region geo-politically punch above their weight, always remaining key during foreign policy formulation. -- Peter Zwack, International Security Expert, US Army Brigadier-General (Ret.) and former Defense Attache to the Russian Federation (2012-2014) It's hard to find a more-timely study given emerging challenges to the post-WWII liberal international order. Spero's analysis provides especially important power models to consider for strategic bridging roles by medium-size states, offering readers not only deep scholarship, but many years of senior-level governmental experience as national security policy expert. This book is a must read for foreign policy and national security practitioners, scholars, and students alike. -- Sean Kay, Robson Professor of Politics and Government, Ohio Wesleyan University Professor Spero's controversial text discusses Evo Morales's foreign policy impact to evaluate the tense, difficult feedback for conjunctural politics - based on a leader's personal, historic, substantive influence for middle power Bolivia's national interest. -- Gustavo Fernandez, Former Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Consultant This book develops analytic tools to work through how most nations can function and succeed. His gripping case studies shed light on impressive achievements by intelligent, moderate middle power leaderships, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles by their larger neighbors. -- James Colbert, Professor Emeritus, Fitchburg State University This formidable account offers some astutely selected countries' rise to middle powers status. Josh Spero's treatment of `policy junctures' and `other-help bridging' as crucial explanatory devices in regional geopolitics is highly imaginative and illustrative. These case studies make for a fascinating read on regional players usually not in the limelight of global attention. -- Alexander Brand, Professor of Political Science/International Relations, Rhine-Waal University Spero's insightful analysis demonstrates securing relations with Russia, Ukraine, united Germany, and Visegrad cooperation allowed Poland to lead Central Europe into NATO and the EU. His lessons learned remain very relevant for present geopolitical crises. -- Krzysztof Zielke, Political Advisor, European Parliament

Author Information

Dr. Joshua B. Spero, Professor of International Politics/Political Science at Fitchburg State University (Fitchburg, MA, USA) since 2003, coordinates the International Studies Minor Program and Political Science, Washington Center Internship Programs. From 1988-2000, Dr. Spero served in the U.S. Government, his last public service position as Joint Chiefs of Staff/Senior Civilian Strategic/Scenario Planner, 1994-2000).

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