Small States and the European Migrant Crisis: Politics and Governance

The edited book explores the challenges faced by small states in Europe during the 2015-2016 migration crisis, highlighting their coping strategies and resilience in navigating the crisis. It emphasizes that the crisis disrupted the liberal and institutionalized order upon which small states had based their policies and influence for decades.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 293 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The 2015-2016 migration crisis in Europe posed significant challenges for small states, as they grappled with the massive influx of migrants and refugees into their territories. This edited book delves into the experiences of these states and the strategies they adopted to address the crisis.

Externally, small states employed various coping mechanisms, including seeking shelter, hiding, hedging, and norm entrepreneurship, to navigate the challenges they faced. Domestically, they tended to securitize migration and scapegoat the EU and other states for the crisis. Despite facing limited resources and the influence of stronger actors, small state administrations demonstrated resilience and flexibility in their responses.

The book highlights that the migration crisis affected small states regardless of whether it was viewed as a crisis for the European Union or Europe as a whole. It disrupted the liberal and institutionalized order that these states had relied on for over 60 years, forcing them to reevaluate their policies and influence.

The contributions in this book shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by small states in Europe during the migration crisis. They provide valuable insights into the strategies adopted by these states, the successes and failures of their approaches, and the broader implications of the crisis for the region.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 223 x 146 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030662059
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021