As competition among great powers intensifies and the world becomes increasingly multipolar, the agency of small states requires reconsideration. Tom Long’s A Small State’s Guide to Influence in World Politics provides a compelling and timely reframing of the often-neglected role of small states in international relations. Long puts forth a guide to how small states can wield influence in world politics, arguing that influence need not be understood solely in material terms, since small states generally lack power and resources. Instead, he advances a theory of influence that is relational, grounded in asymmetric relationships.
Long’s central thesis is that small states can strategically leverage context, timing, and perception to achieve specific national objectives. He argues that influence is derived from the management and maintenance of interstate relations, not from the accumulation of material resources. Estonia’s balancing act between NATO and Russia, and Bhutan’s careful navigation of relations with India, illustrate how small states have historically employed agenda-setting and coalition-building, at times even shaping the behaviour of much larger powers.
The book’s most important contributions are its emphasis on non-material forms of power and its typology of relational strategies. Long argues that small states can exert influence through agenda-setting, framing narratives, and engaging with institutions—especially when larger states are divided, distracted, or seeking some form of legitimisation. He highlights Djibouti’s security partnerships as an example of how small states can convert geographic vulnerabilities into strategic advantages.
However, the focus on global engagements as a part of state strategy comes at a considerable cost. The book does not delve deeply into domestic political factors—such as elite preferences, institutional capacity, or public opinion—that often shape the strategies of smaller states. Nor does it fully engage with the structural limitations posed by economic dependence or entrenched geopolitical hierarchies. Even so, while the book offers an optimistic take on small states, its tone is balanced by an equal exploration of both successes and failures.
In any case, the book A Small State’s Guide remains an invaluable response to the dominance of great-power-centric theories in international relations. Long’s concepts, paired with extensive research and strategic foresight, provide the context needed not only by IR scholars but also by small state diplomats and policymakers. By spotlighting small states, Long showcases the creative means through which they pursue influence, reminding readers that the ability to shape international politics is not the sole preserve of the potent and powerful.