Mrs Dung Phan Do Thuy1
1Hong Bang International University, Vietnam
Biography:
Dung Phan is a lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Hong Bang International University. She holds a master’s degree in international relations from the International University of Japan. Driven by a strong passion for global issues and international relations theories, her research focuses on middle powers, peace and conflict resolution, and international trade law. As a young researcher, she aspires to contribute to the advancement of international relations theories, especially constructivism.
Abstract:
In the context of shifting power dynamics, middle powers have garnered growing attention in the field of international relations. While there are multiple approaches to studying middle powers, the behavioural, positional, and identity frameworks are among the most prominent for exploring their influence. Despite numerous efforts to define middle powers, there remains no scholarly consensus on their classification. Existing research has often focused on traditional middle powers such as Australia, Canada, and South Korea, analysing how these states leverage their middle power status to mitigate risks and maintain the status quo. More recently, studies have examined how middle powers respond to China’s rise, particularly by exploring factors influencing their role conception. This article investigates the role of identity in shaping the behaviours of middle powers in the Indo-Pacific region by taking a comparative focus on Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia. Drawing on constructivist theory, the paper argues that identity differences result in varying levels of response by these three middle powers to China’s rise in the 21st century.