The Buffer System in International Relations
The Buffer System in International Relations
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国际关系中的缓冲体系
DOI：
10.1177/0022002783027001001
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发表时间：
1983
影响因子：
3.1
通讯作者：
Michael Greenfield Partem
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Michael Greenfield Partem
虽然“缓冲国”一词被广泛使用，但它很少受到学术界的关注。本文运用期望效用理论和四个案例研究来考察缓冲国和缓冲制度：阿富汗（1870-1978）、柬埔寨（1954-1971）、黎巴嫩（1943-1981）和比利时（1831-1945）。提出了一个定义，说明什么样的地理条件，能力分布和外交政策取向必须是一个缓冲系统。这一定义对系统中的大国和缓冲国有明确的行为后果。这一定义的一个推论是，多边宣布中立和分治是相互关联的现象，也与缓冲条件的存在有关。另一个推论是，缓冲国的外交选择受到严重限制，中立是最有可能的政策。显然，拟议的定义使我们更好地了解缓冲制度中的冲突和冲突解决办法。
Although the term “buffer state” is widely employed, it has received little scholarly treatment. This article investigates the buffer state and buffer system, using both expected utility theory and four case studies: Afghanistan (1870-1978), Cambodia (1954-1971), Lebanon (1943-1981), and Belgium (1831-1945). A definition is put forward stating what conditions of geography, capability distribution, and foreign policy orientations must be present for the system to be a buffer system. This definition has clear behavioral consequences for the larger powers in the system and the buffer state. One derivation from the definition is that multilateral declarations of neutrality and partition are phenomena related to each other and to the existence of buffer conditions. Another derivation is that the buffer state's diplomatic options are severely constrained—with neutrality the most likely policy. Clearly, the proposed definition gives us a better understanding of conflict and conflict resolution in a buffer system.