Modern international institutions allow small states to increase their voices whilst restricting personal autonomy. Rational Choice Institutionalism expects small states to participate in...Show moreModern international institutions allow small states to increase their voices whilst restricting personal autonomy. Rational Choice Institutionalism expects small states to participate in institutions such as the European Council to avert possible security risks which result from climate change (i.e. through Green Deal negotiations). This thesis delves into the bargaining behaviour of small states and what factors can explain their efforts. In particular, it expects them to use different strategies to address what makes them differ from their larger counterparts. In short, this work examines if administrative capacity cleavages and institutional power asymmetries drive them to use different shaping and capacity-building strategies. Institutionalised learning, prioritisation, coalition-building and agenda-setting efforts are studied using relational content analysis. While institutionalised learning and coalition-building efforts (are found to) correlate with administrative capacity and institutional leverage (respectively), additional external influences remain of consequence to this study. Prioritisation and agenda-setting efforts appear to be influenced more by factors such as the Council Presidency and domestic political factors.Show less
