Illuminates the interplay between regional concerns and the international context, which together define the hierarchy of states. Building on case studies, this book demonstrates that this status cannot be attained solely by building a military or economic power base.

Regional great powers, Oyvind Osterud; Brazil as a regional great power - a study in ambivalence, Andrew Hurrell; India as a regional great power - in pursuit of Shakti, Veena Gill; Indonesia as a regional great power - Arnfinn Jorgensen-Dahl; Israel as a regional great power - the inter-war heritage, Iver B. Neumann; South Africa as a regional great power, Samuel Makinda; Vietnam as a regional great power - a study in failure, Stein Tonnesson.