ABSTRACT
The previous chapter addressed the issue of regional security orders, which is our dependent variable of interest. The contention of this project is that regional powers have a unique and significant impact on the development and management of order at the regional level. It is through the consideration of each of the facets of the framework – structure, roles and orientations – that we can better identify which actors are regional powers and how it is that they influence the regional security order. A central claim is that one must consider the behavior of would-be regional powers to assess whether they in fact should be considered as such and to understand the function that they play in the design and operation of the regional order. That being stated, we also consider the material capabilities that a state possesses to be a critical contributing factor to whether or not it is able to play the regional power’s roles extensively and effectively.
