Small states and international politics: Climate change, the Maldives and Tuvalu

This article examines whether small states – against all (Realist) odds – can have influence on the international political agenda. A theoretical framework is developed grounded in agenda-setting theory and the literature on strategic framing, foreign policy analysis and advocacy networks, resulting in a process-oriented, constructivist approach to international agenda setting. This is used to address three propositions: firstly, small states do have influence on the international agenda; secondly, they generate this influence through strategic framing, and last, they enhance their influence through alliances and advocacy networks. The theoretical framework is applied using two case studies: the small island states of the Maldives and Tuvalu in their fight against climate change.