Anders Wivel
@anderswivel.bsky.social
Small States in World Politics. Foreign Policy. Peaceful Change. Political Realist and Professor of International Relations, University of Copenhagen. https://anderswivel.com/
Pinned
Anders Wivel
@anderswivel.bsky.social
· Jan 10
The EU's soft balancing governance model: origins, characteristics and prospects for the future
Instead of becoming a geopolitical actor, the European Union has provided security to its member states through processes of soft balancing. Reconceptualiz
doi.org
📢New article:❓How and why has the EU remained resilient despite multiple and enduring crises? ✅The short answer: a unique soft ⚖️balancing governance model, which is now challenged by the war in Ukraine. Read my new @iajournal.bsky.social article here: doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...
📢New publication: I show how ➡️pragmatic functionalism⬅️ protecting the national welfare state is key to why, when and how Nordic states cooperate in the EU. Published open access in the new Handbook on Nordic Cooperation doi.org/10.4337/9781... from @elgarpublishing.bsky.social
October 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
📢New publication: I show how ➡️pragmatic functionalism⬅️ protecting the national welfare state is key to why, when and how Nordic states cooperate in the EU. Published open access in the new Handbook on Nordic Cooperation doi.org/10.4337/9781... from @elgarpublishing.bsky.social
Reposted by Anders Wivel
🤔Ever wondered how small states exercise their agency in time of economic and security dependency?
💡Well, Niklas Klein Nielsen and @anderswivel.bsky.social have some answers for you in their new blog post for our website.
Check it out 👇
securityhub.ee/blog/scandin...
💡Well, Niklas Klein Nielsen and @anderswivel.bsky.social have some answers for you in their new blog post for our website.
Check it out 👇
securityhub.ee/blog/scandin...
Scandinavian Reactions to the Second Trump Presidency: A Way Forward for Small State Agency? - CEEShub - Central and Eastern European Security Hub
Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office as the 47th President of the United States disrupted traditional pillars of US foreign policy and created a new geopolitical reality for NATO-allies. The Scandi...
securityhub.ee
September 18, 2025 at 6:49 AM
🤔Ever wondered how small states exercise their agency in time of economic and security dependency?
💡Well, Niklas Klein Nielsen and @anderswivel.bsky.social have some answers for you in their new blog post for our website.
Check it out 👇
securityhub.ee/blog/scandin...
💡Well, Niklas Klein Nielsen and @anderswivel.bsky.social have some answers for you in their new blog post for our website.
Check it out 👇
securityhub.ee/blog/scandin...
Foreign Policy Analysis struggles to understand the nature and impact of non-state actors. Analyzing the Wagner Group in Sudan, @karenphilippal.bsky.social and I argue that it may be understood as an instrument, an actor and an infrastructure. 🌟Open access🌟 at www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Foreign Policy Instrument, Actor, or Infrastructure? Conceptualizing the Wagner Group in Sudan
By drawing on literature on non-state foreign policy actors, we establish a first-cut understanding of the Wagner Group’s role in Russian foreign policy. We show how instrument, actor, and infrastr...
www.tandfonline.com
July 18, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Foreign Policy Analysis struggles to understand the nature and impact of non-state actors. Analyzing the Wagner Group in Sudan, @karenphilippal.bsky.social and I argue that it may be understood as an instrument, an actor and an infrastructure. 🌟Open access🌟 at www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
📢Small states and middle-powers have little coercive power, but their #leadership styles can make them influential international agenda-setters in the #UN. 🎉New article doi.org/10.1093/fpa/... in @fpajrnl.bsky.social Maybe of interest to the @fpa-isa.bsky.social and @securityhub.ee communities.
May 30, 2025 at 5:59 AM
📢Small states and middle-powers have little coercive power, but their #leadership styles can make them influential international agenda-setters in the #UN. 🎉New article doi.org/10.1093/fpa/... in @fpajrnl.bsky.social Maybe of interest to the @fpa-isa.bsky.social and @securityhub.ee communities.
📢New article: Studying small states help answer big and important questions in international relations, such as ‘what is power?’ and ‘what is agency?’. Part of new work from the @securityhub.ee led by @birgitpoopuu.bsky.social and @benjaminklasche.bsky.social
Our very own @anderswivel.bsky.social published this fantastic article recently in Small States and Territories.
Go give it a read! 👇
securityhub.ee/research/why...
Go give it a read! 👇
securityhub.ee/research/why...
Why small states offer answers to important questions in international relations: Rethinking power and agency - CEEShub - Central and Eastern European Security Hub
Highlights Studying small states is important for answering big and important questions in international relations, such as ‘what is power?’ and ‘what is agency?’. Small state agency is best understoo...
securityhub.ee
May 24, 2025 at 6:07 AM
📢New article: Studying small states help answer big and important questions in international relations, such as ‘what is power?’ and ‘what is agency?’. Part of new work from the @securityhub.ee led by @birgitpoopuu.bsky.social and @benjaminklasche.bsky.social
What the UK can learn from small stares. Great new blog from @meibauir.bsky.social and @gesineweber.bsky.social Wonderful to see small state scholarship applied beyond the usual case universe - and with important policy implications!
💡New! The UK remains vulnerable to Trump' turn away from its traditional European allies. But @meibauir.bsky.social and @gesineweber.bsky.social argue that International Relations theory offers useful toolkit for managing an unpredictable hegemon like Donald Trump.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
May 20, 2025 at 5:51 AM
What the UK can learn from small stares. Great new blog from @meibauir.bsky.social and @gesineweber.bsky.social Wonderful to see small state scholarship applied beyond the usual case universe - and with important policy implications!
The EU provides security mainly through processes of soft ⚖️balancing and remains both resilient and influential in times of crises. Thank you @irthinker.com for great questions on my article on #EU #governance doi.org/10.1093/ia/i... in @iajournal.bsky.social
EU's Soft Balancing Governance - Anders Wivel | 2025 Episode 5
Prof. Anders Wivel @anderswivel.bsky.social explores the EU’s soft balancing model — showing how diplomacy, institutions, & adaptability allow influence without confrontation.
youtu.be/LYf74kOLjJg
Prof. Anders Wivel @anderswivel.bsky.social explores the EU’s soft balancing model — showing how diplomacy, institutions, & adaptability allow influence without confrontation.
youtu.be/LYf74kOLjJg
EU's Soft Balancing Governance - Anders Wivel | 2025 Episode 5
YouTube video by IR thinker
youtu.be
May 17, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The EU provides security mainly through processes of soft ⚖️balancing and remains both resilient and influential in times of crises. Thank you @irthinker.com for great questions on my article on #EU #governance doi.org/10.1093/ia/i... in @iajournal.bsky.social
Reposted by Anders Wivel
2. Professor @anderswivel.bsky.social was recently interviewed by @e-international.bsky.social. Please check this great interview here: shorturl.at/uKIO9
2/2
2/2
Interview – Anders Wivel
Anders Wivel explores how small states navigate global politics by linking theory and practice, challenging disciplinary silos, and shaping international order.
shorturl.at
April 22, 2025 at 8:27 AM
2. Professor @anderswivel.bsky.social was recently interviewed by @e-international.bsky.social. Please check this great interview here: shorturl.at/uKIO9
2/2
2/2
War and transatlantic crises challenge the European order, but the EU's soft balancing governance model is resilient and continue to produce results. Interview with the IR thinker talk show irthinker.com/eu-soft-bala... based on my recent article doi.org/10.1093/ia/i... in @iajournal.bsky.social
March 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
War and transatlantic crises challenge the European order, but the EU's soft balancing governance model is resilient and continue to produce results. Interview with the IR thinker talk show irthinker.com/eu-soft-bala... based on my recent article doi.org/10.1093/ia/i... in @iajournal.bsky.social
Reposted by Anders Wivel
🚀 Calling all EU trade researchers and policy enthusiasts!
I’ve just released an updated version of my open access dataset compiling every press release from the European Commission (DG Trade) — now covering 1989 to 2025 (until February 10). Check it out!
➡️ dataverse.harvard.edu/dataset.xhtm...
I’ve just released an updated version of my open access dataset compiling every press release from the European Commission (DG Trade) — now covering 1989 to 2025 (until February 10). Check it out!
➡️ dataverse.harvard.edu/dataset.xhtm...
dataverse.harvard.edu
February 14, 2025 at 11:33 AM
🚀 Calling all EU trade researchers and policy enthusiasts!
I’ve just released an updated version of my open access dataset compiling every press release from the European Commission (DG Trade) — now covering 1989 to 2025 (until February 10). Check it out!
➡️ dataverse.harvard.edu/dataset.xhtm...
I’ve just released an updated version of my open access dataset compiling every press release from the European Commission (DG Trade) — now covering 1989 to 2025 (until February 10). Check it out!
➡️ dataverse.harvard.edu/dataset.xhtm...
Doing work on small states in 🗺️world politics? Looking for interesting discussions, input on your work, and a community of fellow travelers? Come join Revecca Pedi and me in the Standing Section on Small States in World Politics at #EISAPEC2025 See call at eisa-net.org/pec-2025/
February 5, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Doing work on small states in 🗺️world politics? Looking for interesting discussions, input on your work, and a community of fellow travelers? Come join Revecca Pedi and me in the Standing Section on Small States in World Politics at #EISAPEC2025 See call at eisa-net.org/pec-2025/
Trump may challenge Europe, but the EU's soft ⚖️balancing governance model offers important institutional and diplomatic 🛠️tools for responding to threats and influencing international affairs beyond European borders. 📢Read my -optimist🌈🙂- research article in the latest issue of @iajournal.bsky.social
"The EU exercises substantial influence through the potential threat of exclusion".
In his latest research article, @anderswivel.bsky.social explores how the EU uses soft balancing to bolster its institutional authority: doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...
In his latest research article, @anderswivel.bsky.social explores how the EU uses soft balancing to bolster its institutional authority: doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...
February 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Trump may challenge Europe, but the EU's soft ⚖️balancing governance model offers important institutional and diplomatic 🛠️tools for responding to threats and influencing international affairs beyond European borders. 📢Read my -optimist🌈🙂- research article in the latest issue of @iajournal.bsky.social
📢New Book: ❓What does IR theory tell us about IOs and 🕊️peaceful change? ❓How does the UN, WTO, WHO and G20 impact ☮️peaceful change? ❓How can we move towards a reflective and pluralist research agenda? Great answers from 🌟stellar group of authors published by @cambridgeuppolisci.bsky.social
'International Organizations and Peaceful Change in World Politics' edited by T.V. Paul, @anderswivel.bsky.social & Kai He.
Critically evaluates whether or not international organizations contribute to peaceful change and how they can improve their performance.
📚 cup.org/4gxwEDC 📚
Critically evaluates whether or not international organizations contribute to peaceful change and how they can improve their performance.
📚 cup.org/4gxwEDC 📚
February 3, 2025 at 6:03 PM
📢New Book: ❓What does IR theory tell us about IOs and 🕊️peaceful change? ❓How does the UN, WTO, WHO and G20 impact ☮️peaceful change? ❓How can we move towards a reflective and pluralist research agenda? Great answers from 🌟stellar group of authors published by @cambridgeuppolisci.bsky.social
🎉A big congratulations to @carolinebertram.bsky.social on well deserved recognition for her amazing dissertation - relevant for anyone wanting to understand the EU and its role in world politics today! Very proud to have co-supervised (and grateful to have learned so much from Caroline's work!).
🍾⭐ I am deeply grateful to the European Union Studies Association for granting my PhD dissertation the Wade Jacoby Best Dissertation Award. This would not have been possible without the support of so many incredible individuals who guided me through this journey. A heartfelt thank you to everyone! 🤍
January 27, 2025 at 4:32 PM
🎉A big congratulations to @carolinebertram.bsky.social on well deserved recognition for her amazing dissertation - relevant for anyone wanting to understand the EU and its role in world politics today! Very proud to have co-supervised (and grateful to have learned so much from Caroline's work!).
Reposted by Anders Wivel
What are the causes, characteristics and consequences of soft balancing? Our special section explores soft balancing in central Asia, Europe and the Indo-Pacific to provide the answers!
Read here: academic.oup.com/ia/issue/101/1
Read here: academic.oup.com/ia/issue/101/1
January 20, 2025 at 12:09 PM
What are the causes, characteristics and consequences of soft balancing? Our special section explores soft balancing in central Asia, Europe and the Indo-Pacific to provide the answers!
Read here: academic.oup.com/ia/issue/101/1
Read here: academic.oup.com/ia/issue/101/1
Reposted by Anders Wivel
📢 Starting the year with a brand NEW issue! We bring to you:
🌏A special section on soft balancing in the regions
📑Articles on civilization, heritage destruction and more
🏔️Policy papers on conservation in Antarctica and UK aid
📚26 book reviews
Read NOW > academic.oup.com/ia/issue/101/1
🌏A special section on soft balancing in the regions
📑Articles on civilization, heritage destruction and more
🏔️Policy papers on conservation in Antarctica and UK aid
📚26 book reviews
Read NOW > academic.oup.com/ia/issue/101/1
January 14, 2025 at 2:48 PM
📢 Starting the year with a brand NEW issue! We bring to you:
🌏A special section on soft balancing in the regions
📑Articles on civilization, heritage destruction and more
🏔️Policy papers on conservation in Antarctica and UK aid
📚26 book reviews
Read NOW > academic.oup.com/ia/issue/101/1
🌏A special section on soft balancing in the regions
📑Articles on civilization, heritage destruction and more
🏔️Policy papers on conservation in Antarctica and UK aid
📚26 book reviews
Read NOW > academic.oup.com/ia/issue/101/1
📢New article:❓How and why has the EU remained resilient despite multiple and enduring crises? ✅The short answer: a unique soft ⚖️balancing governance model, which is now challenged by the war in Ukraine. Read my new @iajournal.bsky.social article here: doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...
The EU's soft balancing governance model: origins, characteristics and prospects for the future
Instead of becoming a geopolitical actor, the European Union has provided security to its member states through processes of soft balancing. Reconceptualiz
doi.org
January 10, 2025 at 2:41 PM
📢New article:❓How and why has the EU remained resilient despite multiple and enduring crises? ✅The short answer: a unique soft ⚖️balancing governance model, which is now challenged by the war in Ukraine. Read my new @iajournal.bsky.social article here: doi.org/10.1093/ia/i...