What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to introduce and explore the concept of positional power as it relates to middle powers navigating great power rivalries.

Positional power: middle power strategies in an era of institutional rivalry

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This article uncovers how middle powers leverage institutional rivalry to secure concessions, shaping international norms and autonomy.

The aim is to introduce and explore the concept of positional power as it relates to middle powers navigating great power rivalries.
Introduces the concept of positional power and its temporal phases: opening, peak, and closure.
Analyzes middle powers' dynamics in digital governance and security architecture domains.
Examines scope conditions necessary for successful middle power strategy: competitive balance, comparable alternatives, and domestic coordination.
Identifies distinct strategies used by middle powers to exploit rivalry across exclusionary and overlapping governance structures.
Demonstrates that success in extracting concessions depends on sustained competitive balance among great powers.
Reveals the cyclical and competitive nature of international order, redefining middle powers as active contributors in shaping norms.

Amlan Mishra (2026) studied this question.

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