Key facts
- Middle powers can act independently of major powers like the US, China, and Russia.
- These nations can collectively shape global norms and address challenges.
- The current international system allows for agency among middle powers.
Middle powers are not obligated to wait for summits involving the United States, China, and Russia to advance their own interests and influence global affairs. The current international system provides opportunities for these nations to act autonomously and collectively shape norms and address pressing global challenges.
This perspective suggests that middle powers can leverage their combined influence to drive international agendas, rather than being constrained by the dynamics of great power competition. Their agency is a key feature of the contemporary geopolitical landscape, allowing for a more multi-polar approach to global governance and problem-solving.