How to Politely Say No: Jordan's Indirect Bandwagoning Behavior toward US–China Competition

This paper examines how small states like Jordan, heavily reliant on US economic and security support, navigate the US–China rivalry. It introduces the concept of “indirect bandwagoning” (IB), which describes how small states align with a hegemon's interests by discreetly constraining the influence of a rising power without openly confronting it. This strategy is most relevant when a state depends on the hegemon, faces its pressure, but does not view the rising power as an immediate threat. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research draws on original data collected through semi-structured interviews with decision-makers in Jordan, as well as secondary sources including reports, official documents, and public statements. The analysis focuses on two cases: the Al Attarat Oil Shale Project and the Chinese electric vehicle regulations. The findings demonstrate Jordan's use of IB to navigate great power competition, offering broader insights into how aid-dependent states manage external pressures.