The Encyclopedia
of World Problems
& Human Potential

Second class states

Name(s):

Government loss of leadership role in world affairs

Nature

States may become preoccupied at the lack of consideration accorded to their country in world affairs or to the erosion of any leadership role they may have held over some period. The risk of acquiring the reputation of a second class state may drive the government to extremes to acquire new status. Such extremes may include wastage of resources on prestige projects or the development of a high technology weapons capability.

Broader

Class consciousness

Mediocrity of government leaders

Unbridled competition among states

Denial of right to equality between states

Decline of the nation-state

Aggravates

Excessively costly prestige projects ^{[in 2 loops]}

Vulnerability of small nations to foreign intervention ^{[in 1 loop]}

Insecurity and vulnerability of non-nuclear weapon states

Aggravated by

Non-viability of small states and territories

Value(s)

Type

(D) Detailed problems

About the Encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential is a unique, experimental research work of the Union of International Associations. It is currently published as a searchable online platform with profiles of world problems, action strategies, and human values that are interlinked in novel and innovative ways. These connections are based on a range of relationships such as broader and narrower scope, aggravation, relatedness and more. By concentrating on these links and relationships, the Encyclopedia is uniquely positioned to bring focus to the complex and expansive sphere of global issues and their interconnected nature.

The initial content for the Encyclopedia was seeded from UIA’s Yearbook of International Organizations. UIA’s decades of collected data on the enormous variety of association life provided a broad initial perspective on the myriad problems of humanity. Recognizing that international associations are generally confronting world problems and developing action strategies based on particular values, the initial content was based on the descriptions, aims, titles and profiles of international associations.

About UIA

The Union of International Associations (UIA) is a research institute and documentation centre, based in Brussels. It was established in 1907, by Henri la Fontaine (Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 1913), and Paul Otlet, a founding father of what is now called information science.

Non-profit, apolitical, independent, and non-governmental in nature, the UIA has been a pioneer in the research, monitoring and provision of information on international organizations, international associations and their global challenges since 1907.

www.uia.org

You are here

Second class states

About the Encyclopedia

About UIA