Small States in the UN Security Council: Austria's Quest to Maintain Status

Summary This article offers a case study on why small states seek membership on the UN Security Council (UNSC). It examines the intension of a small state, Austria, to seek membership on the Council for the 2009-2010 term, the campaign strategy and the domestic debate on the candidacy. The analysis indicates that Austria's former status as an empire and successful transformation in the post-war period influenced its candidacy and campaign strategy. Also, Austria's ideational commitment to the UN cause was the foundation for its successful UNSC campaign. Austria's small size was not a hindrance in its campaign: on the contrary, as a small state Austria gained prestige for its competence and contributions to the UN. A UNSC seat for Austria was not a question of a small state seeking status; rather, it was a quest for remaining relevant and maintaining status in a changing world system.