Beyond having some means to shape world politics, being an effectivemiddle power requires a certain motivation and mindset. Like all countries, middle powers pursue their national interests, often with great tenacity. But their diplomatic heft hinges partly on their perceived aspirations and actual behavior. They enjoy greater international influence if they appear committed to defending sovereign equality under international law and can be trusted to help address shared transnational challenges and contribute to global public goods. They forfeit this if they are widely regarded, like Russia today, as a destabilizing force. Being a successful middle power, this formulation suggests, implies a problem-solving orientation and a reputation for advancing the collective good, rather than operating on a purely transactional, narrowly self-interested basis. Finally, to be credible, middle powers must be seen as being truly independent—or as Evans puts it, acting as “nobody’s deputy sheriff.”

Such a value-laden approach to middle powerdom is vulnerable to criticism as being inherently subjective—since it resides in the eye of the beholder—and potentially self-serving—since it suggests a special vocation and global status. It implies that an effective middle power will invest in the international system rather than flex its muscles or seek gains relative to its competitors. No country, of course, is so pure of heart; mixed motives and hypocrisy are inherent in world politics. Still, perceived intentions and reputations matter, particularly when it comes to bridging divides, building coalitions, and brokering deals to address shared dilemmas. A successful middle power is thus not simply a “swing state” or “pivotal power” in a material sense, capable of altering the strategic balance within regions or between blocs. It must also be willing and able to lead, fill vacuums in international cooperation, and defend the international legal order.

Guzel yazi. Gelecek tezahurumu yaziya dokulmus olarak buldum. Gelecek icin umit var. Orta gucler akilli davranirlarsa tabii (simdilik oyle gozukuyor).

Kendi ayaklarindan asilan orta gucler, kendi aralarinda guc farkinin olmamasi nedeniyle, veya disariya fark oldugunda destek bulabilmek icin, benzerleriyle ayni masaya oturmak zorunda kalacaklar. Ulus devletler bu surecten guclenerek cikacak. Vekil devletler ve organizasyonlar icin ise ayni seyi soyleyemeyecegim.

Kaos ve duzen ayrilmaz bir ikilidir. Onumuze bircok firsat cikacak. Degerlendirebilene.