School of Political Science, Public Affairs, Legal and Security Studies Faculty Publications

Small State, Global Norm: The Challenge of Syrian Asylum-Seekers in Cyprus

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2026

Abstract

The role of small states in global politics has long been contested. This article builds upon past studies investigating the power small states can exert by looking to the case of the response of the Republic of Cyprus to Syrian asylum-seekers. In the case under observation, the government of Cyprus has in recent years sought to engage in state resistance to the norm of non-refoulement in an effort to reduce the presence and political impact of Syrian asylum-seekers on the island. These efforts to resist an entrenched global norm like non-refoulement can be understood as possible owing to a particular constellation of small state power, including compulsory, institutional, structural and productive forms of power. By analysing these forms of power, a geopolitical environment both permissive of and conducive to small-state conduct of certain types is recognised. This form of analysis can serve as a model for future studies.

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© 2025 Global South Ltd

https://www.tandfonline.com/share/FRCDVS2H9TA9RG9UEUCM?target=10.1080/01436597.2025.2601815

Publication Title

Third World Quarterly

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2025.2601815

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