Small states and coalition building in extremis : the Netherlands and the adoption of the Conditionality Regulation linking rule of law and the EU budget
研究了荷兰如何在缺乏大国领导的情况下，通过联盟构建和论证策略成功推动欧盟通过将法治与预算挂钩的条件性法规，揭示了小国影响力的条件。
This article analyses how the Netherlands was able to successfully influence the adoption of the Conditionality Regulation in the absence of leadership by a large EU Member State and without advancing only its own material interests. An empirical analysis based on careful process-tracing and interviews shows that the small-state strategy of coalition building with like-minded states and EU institutions was essential. This article extends beyond what is available in the literature through explaining the conditions for successful coalition-building strategies. Successful coalition building by small states is dependent on their argumentative power and their reputations as ‘norm advocates’ and requires high-quality and coherent arguments. This article sheds light on how coalition-building and argumentative strategies relate to each other.