Theory of Master Role Transition

Feliciano de Sá Guimarães is Associate Professor at the Institute of International Relations at University of São Paulo and Visiting Fellow at the Political Science Department at Yale University (2019–2020). He earned his PhD in political science from the University of São Paulo (2006–2010). His main topics of interest are Role Theory, public opinion and Brazilian foreign policy.

"It turns much of traditional IR theory on its head, not only because it takes a comparative approach to three regional powers of the Global South, but also because it argues that under certain conditions, small powers are not only ‘takers’ in relation to regional powers, but can also delegitimize’ their projected roles.'Janis van der Westhuizen, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa'Feliciano de Sá Guimarães effectively makes the case that role theory facilitates a more nuanced understanding of the role of power in foreign relations. He carefully outlines the conditions under which small states can influence the role enactment (and foreign policy behavior) of regional powers – and tests his propositions using cases from the global south. On doing so, Guimarães broadens our understanding of foreign policy behavior both theoretically and empirically.'Marijke Breuning, University of North Texas'This insightful book deploys a set of tools from role theory—which rarely has been applied to small states—to better understand the pivotal roles of materially weaker actors. Through their interactions with larger neighbors, small states in de Sá Guimarães’ case studies affect the self-conceptions, international roles, and perceived interests of larger states. The book’s creative application of its role theoretical approach and its lucid case studies of asymmetrical relationships make it an important new reference for the study of small states and their regions.'Tom Long, Associate Professor in New Rising World Powers, University of Warwick'This is a timely and innovative contribution to the study of regions and regional powers. The book takes a new look at the relationship between material and ideational qualities in role theory, and reverses the top-down approach in the regional powers literature. Not only secondary powers, but also small powers can change the master roles of regional powers.'Detlef Nolte, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies'A Theory of Master Role Transition: Small Powers Shaping Regional Hegemons provides a rigorous analysis of how foreign policy roles transition as a result of small and regional power interactions. Feliciano de Sá Guimarães offers a rigorous framework that specifies conditions for master role change in regional politics. With role theoretic analysis, readers will gain significant insights about Latin America, Southern Africa and Southeast Asia. The book is a necessary reading for foreign policy analysts, area specialists and policy-makers.'Özgür Özdamar, Associate Professor of International Relations, Bilkent University

• 1. Introduction 2. A Theory of Master Role Transition 3. The 2006-2007 Brazil-Bolivia Gas Crisis 4. The 2008-2009 Brazil-Paraguay Itaipú Dam Crisis 5. The 2008-2009 Brazil-Ecuador Odebrecht Crisis 6. The 1998 South Africa-Lesotho Operation Boleas Crisis 7. The 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganges Waters Crisis 8. Conclusions