취약중견국의 외교정책: 1999년 이후 나이지리아 외교정책 사례를 중심으로

Abstract

In this paper, I examine Nigeria’s foreign policy by using a fragile middle-power concept. Fragility and middle-power status may sound oxymoronic and incompatible, but I argue that these two concepts are compatible and could be useful in analyzing the foreign policy of some states with similar characteristics. The study focuses on the post-1999 period, when Nigeria’s military regime finally relinquished power to civilians. The foreign policy focus will be on Nigeria’s policy towards the two great powers, the United States and China, as well as its policy on peacekeeping operations. My findings show that although whether a state can accomplish what it aims to accomplish in the area of foreign policy is largely dependent upon its physical position and material capability, a state’s fragility has a significantly hampering effect on its foreign policy conduct. In the case of Nigeria, its fragile condition substantially slows and impedes its foreign policy promotion in all three foreign policy targets. Consequently, only through putting its own house in order, can Nigeria’s foreign policy flourish with support and admiration from the rest of the world.