The Melian Dialogue

Wassermann, Felix M.

doi:10.2307/283480

Cited by 13 publications

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“…The Melian Dialogue is regarded as a classic illustration of the necessities of power, famous for making the point that 'The strong do what they can: the weak suffer what they must' (ibid, 5.89). See Wassermann (1947) to adopt restrictive measures against Russia with the declared aim of increasing the costs of its infringement of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. 17 Realists who see in the annexation of Crimea merely a violation of the prohibition to use force, and thus the irrelevance of law in the face of realpolitik, overlook the fact that international law and power interact in more subtle ways.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Legal resilience in an era of grey zone conflicts and hybrid threats

Sari

2020

Cambridge Review of International Affairs

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The international system has entered a period of increased competition, accompanied by a steady retreat from multilateralism and international institutions. The purpose of this article is to assess the legal implications of these developments from the perspective of three concepts that have risen to prominence in recent years: lawfare, hybrid warfare and grey zone conflict. In doing so, the article makes three arguments. The instrumental use of international law for strategic purposes forms an integral feature of international relations and should not be mistaken, as realists are prone to do, for the irrelevance of law in international affairs. Although the notions of lawfare, hybrid warfare and grey zone conflict all contribute towards a better understanding of the ways in which international law is employed for strategic ends in the current security environment, neither offers a sufficient framework for analysis and policy action. Instead, the challenges posed to status quo powers by the revisionist instrumentalization of international law are best countered by adopting a legal resilience perspective and an operational mindset.1.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Legal resilience in an era of grey zone conflicts and hybrid threats

Sari

2020

Cambridge Review of International Affairs

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“…See e.g. Cornford (1907: 174-87), Wassermann (1947), de Romilly (1963, Stahl (2003), Macleod (1974), Bosworth (1993), Orwin (1994: 97-117), Crane (1998: 241-53), Williams (1998: 195-205), Hornblower (2008: 216-25).…”

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Moral History from Herodotus to Diodorus Siculus

Hau¹

2016

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This book offers an interpretation of the first 500 years of history writing as a moral-didactic genre, and argues that this does not invalidate ancient Greek historiography as history. In Part I, it offers a thorough analysis of the moralising techniques and moral-didactic lessons of Polybius and Diodorus Siculus and then analyses the fragments of a range of less well-preserved Hellenistic works of historiography (Timaeus, Phylarchus, Duris, Hieronymus, Agatharchides, and Posidonius) to see how far it is possible to trace similar techniques and lessons in these works. In Part II, the roots of Hellenistic historiographical moralising are traced in the Classical works of Herodotus, Thucydides, and Xenophon, and the fragments of the Oxyrhynchus Historian, Ephorus, and Theopompus. The book concludes that the Greek genre of historiography was moral-didactic from its inception, like most of the Classical Greek literary genres, and that this purpose became explicit and its techniques formalised in Hellenistic times, but that neither the writers nor the readers of the genre believed this moral-didactic purpose to be detrimental to the truth-value of historiography. Ancient historiography was history writing with an agenda: it was Moral History (in the same way that some modern historiography can be defined as, say, Feminist History or Postcolonial History), but it was still History.

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“…Womack's theory counters that asymmetric relationships remain problematic for the stronger side despite being a great power. (Wassermann, 1947).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Myanmar-China Asymmetrical Relations: The Case Study of Myitsone Hydropower Dam Project through the Lens of Small Power’s Strategies

Thida¹

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The aim of the research is to find the strategies and tactics of small powers in relations with great power neighbour under the asymmetrical relationship. The research problem The research accommodates the two important research problems. (1) To investigate how a small power can manage its asymmetrical relations with a great power neighbor. (2) To observe how a small power cooperative with a big power without deteriorating its sovereignty, by protecting its national interest, and by avoiding confrontation with the big power, as well as by preserving the bilateral relations between them. The subject of analysis The research emphasizes on the Myanmar-China asymmetrical relations with a special focus on the Myitsone dam hydropower project as a case study which is a critical issue between the two countries. The impact of the dam issue not only effects on the Sino-Myanmar relations but also influences on other asymmetrical relations between China and small powers. It also The research question What tactics and strategies does Myanmar use to increase its room for maneuver in its asymmetric relationship with China? Hypotheses The research will investigate two hypotheses: (1) The behaviors of small powers can be identified between a tactical and strategical level in an asymmetric relationship. (2) Small powers are capable of changing the behavior of big powers in different ways besides by using balancing and bandwagoning strategies. Conclusion and the highlight of a new scientific result Regarding the big picture of Sino-Myanmar relations, it has been found that Myanmar practices the “bandwagoning” strategy with limits. In the Myitsone Dam suspension, the Myanmar government used the “balancing” strategy with limits. To answer the promised research question, the research can investigate that Myanmar has used both bandwagoning and balancing strategies in limit. The research has revealed the detailed analysis of Myanmar’s tactical and strategical moves toward China. As a new scientific result, the research insists that small states are really important actors in international relations. Despite their power discrepancy with big powers, small countries have the capability to counterbalance and counterweight great powers through their tactical moves. In doing so, small states can change the behavior of great powers without breaking up their relationships. They can improve their own leverages and abilities within the framework of cooperation with stronger powers. Thus, power is not a determinant factor in international relations, even in the asymmetrical relationship. Small powers can manipulate their strategies by developing their political leverage, by taking advantages of stronger powers’ deficiencies, by effectively using its geostrategic importance, by engaging regional and international organizations, and so on. The research highlights the two distinct strategies of bandwagoning and balancing, in which small powers can maneuver these two strategies in limitation. They can utilize these two strategies not only in resisting stronger powers but also in seeking and developing their interests. Small powers can also influence the behavior of great powers through their impressive strategies.

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The Melian Dialogue

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Legal resilience in an era of grey zone conflicts and hybrid threats

Legal resilience in an era of grey zone conflicts and hybrid threats

Moral History from Herodotus to Diodorus Siculus

Myanmar-China Asymmetrical Relations: The Case Study of Myitsone Hydropower Dam Project through the Lens of Small Power’s Strategies

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