Small States and Shelter Theory: Iceland's External Affairs.

• Author: Martin, Yeliz Kulali

Small States and Shelter Theory: Iceland's External Affairs

Baldur THORHALLSSON (ed.)

New York, Routledge, 2019, 224 pages, ISBN: 9780367354152

2020's international system, which according to John Mearsheimer "shifts from unipolarity to multipolarity," (1) is more welcoming for small states and small state studies. In this environment where the number of actors is growing, small states have a stronger voice through the alliances they make, the projects they create or the roles they play in international organisations.

The book named "Small States and Shelter Theory: Iceland's External Affairs", analyses the current foreign policy decision-making processes of small states as system actors, with the purpose of adding a new theory to the International Relations (IR) discipline. Shelter theory, is presented as an alternative to the numerous IR theories explaining the behaviours of small states and this concept was initially introduced by the editor of the book, Baldur Thorhallsson, in 2010. (2)

The book has three main parts: the theoretical framework, the case study and the prospective. It is well structured and easy to read even if the reader is not from the IR discipline. The first part explains the small states' criteria in the IR discipline as well as the foreign policy choices; and continues with shelter theory that brings a new insight to said choices. If explained briefly, the theory is based on small states with fragile structure and limited resources, accepting big states or international organisations as shelter, that is to say, as protector. (p.1). The areas covered by this protection are divided in three; political, economic and societal protection. The main question brought to light by Thorhallsson in this study is; small states being disadvantaged by their nature. What is the most logical foreign policy behaviour for them in order to survive or to be visible in the system? In this perspective, the healthiest option according to Thorhallsson is accepting other actors as shelters in areas where self-resources are insufficient. Thorhallsson being from Iceland, uses his country as a case study and lists Iceland's main current shelters from independence as the USA, Nordic Cooperation and the EU. The last part - concluding remarks, examines shelter options for Iceland such as Russia, China, and Arctic Council as well as, bringing attention to the applicability of the theory to other small states with the questions "When--How--Why do...