How Weak States Enhance their Power through Asymmetric Competition: An Analysis Base on The Korean Nuclear Issue and the Six Party Talks

　　Abstract:In interaction between strong and weak states, because of asymmetries in capacities, strong states have more resources at their disposal to realize their objectives. Under certain circumstances though, weak states are able to gain a competitive advantage or even secure victory vis-à-vis strong states. This article explores this through the case of Korean Nuclear proliferation. The Six Party Talks are the key political mechanism for resolving the issue of nuclear weapons in the Koreas. A feature of the Six Party Talks is that the relevant parties which oppose a nuclear Korea have an absolute power advantage. Despite this advantage, to present this “anti-nuclear” camp has not been able to use the Six Party Talks to realize their strategic objective of forcing North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. Instead, North Korea has obtained a large amount of economic, energy and nutrition assistance through the talks, while maintaining its nuclear program. Why is the DPRK able to “enhance its power” in political competition with the United States and other stronger powers? Several reasons can be identified: complex interests within multilateral groupings result in strong states facing difficulties when it comes to securing a leadership role; such a framework seriously weakens the power advantage of the strong state; weak states and strong states face asymmetric options after withdrawing from a competitive game (in this case the Six Party Talks); differences in goals within an “alliances of strong states” can be used to the advantage of weak states; the political will and diplomatic strategies of weak states can help them prevail. 

　　About the Author: Cheng Xiaoyong is a Lecturer in the School of International Studies and the Academy of Overseas Chinese Studies at Jinan University