Maximizing Influence in the European Union after the Lisbon Treaty: From Small State Policy to Smart State Strategy

How do small states maximize their influence in the European Union? This article argues that the traditional small state approach to European integration is being undermined by formal and informal developments in the EU. Small states must therefore change their traditional policy focused on binding the great powers to a smart state strategy utilizing small state weakness to gain influence. We outline the basic characteristics of a smart state strategy and illustrate the practical applicability of the strategy by discussing three basic aspects of ideal type smart state behaviour: (1) the state as lobbyist, (2) the state as self‐interested mediator, and (3) the state as norm entrepreneur.