AI Insight
This commentary argues that middle powers—states with moderate international influence including smaller high-income countries like Norway and Switzerland, as well as larger middle-income countries like Brazil and South Africa—have a critical role in maintaining global health cooperation during current disruptions to the multilateral system. The article specifically examines South Korea as a case study for how such nations can strengthen global health governance. Middle powers are positioned to fill leadership gaps and facilitate international cooperation when traditional great powers are unable or unwilling to do so.
Why it matters
As the multilateral health system faces significant challenges, identifying alternative sources of leadership becomes essential for addressing transnational health threats. Middle powers may offer more nimble and diplomatically acceptable pathways for international health cooperation compared to traditional power structures.
Understand the Science
At a moment of “rupture”1 in the multilateral system, middle powers can and should ensure the cooperation needed for global public health. Middle powers are “states that are neither great nor small in terms of international power, capacity, and influence”.2 The category includes both smaller high-income countries, such as Norway, Switzerland, or Qatar, and larger middle-income countries such as Brazil, South Africa, or Thailand.
Source: [Comment] How middle powers can strengthen global health governance: the case of South Korea