A Small State Maneuvering in the Changing World Order: Denmark’s “Creative Agency” Approach to Engagement with the BRICs

How are small states managing the shift under way in the global economic and political order from the USA and Europe towards other regions, especially Asia? In the International Relations literature, there is a tendency to focus on the great powers — they set the scene, and the small states have to adjust, and therefore their different national political characteristics, values and preferences are not seen as having a strong influence. Being small is seen as an inherent disadvantage in international politics, but are there also advantages? Analyzing how Danish foreign policy, especially the Danish approach to the BRICs, has developed in recent years, I show how Denmark — a small state — is trying to maneuver in the changing world order through a “creative agency” approach.2