ABSTRACT
This chapter draws on Irish Research (IR)-based theoretical insights on the role of and conditions for the effectiveness of arguing, bargaining, problem-solving, framing, neutral mediation, lobbying and for coalitions for small states in European Union (EU) negotiations. Realist and neo-realist theorists of international relations, along with liberal institutionalists, have long considered size as a determining factor in world politics. Problem-solving, whereby negotiators make constructive proposals, is to be accepted by other states, if the country in question enjoys the reputation of having high expertise and has a good overview of cleavages and sensitivities. The scope conditions for the effectiveness of the different strategies are country-specific, policy-specific and case-sensitive. Coalition-formation is effective, the better the networks with big and small states are and the higher the capacities of the initiator to offer side-payments in exchange for support. Federalism, functionalism, and inter-governmentalism as the generation of regional integration theories have either neglected country size as an explanatory variable for dynamics and outcomes.
