External Actions by Sub-State Entities: What Is Their Significance to Comparative Politics?

By Stéphane Paquin
English

In comparative politics and international relations, the importance of the paradiplomacy of sub-state entities is often played down as they do not supposedly have the requisite capacities to be considered as “fully-fledged international players”. We propose a redefinition of the criteria of power of para-diplomatic players here in order to demonstrate that they are becoming increasingly important international players positioned between the sovereign States and non-governmental organisations. We believe the para-diplomatic phenomenon to be important, intensive, extensive and permanent. Para-diplomatic players and identity para-diplomacy have an extensive margin of autonomy, numerous resources, which are often broader than the vast majority of sovereign and have increasingly greater influence over international politics.

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