1in.am The founding Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, one of the most influential political figures of the 20th century, proposed an important formula for small states: to have as broad friendly ties as possible while maintaining their own identity. In his view, the security of a small state relies on a competitive economy, reliable governance, and the ability to maintain its utility and significance in the international system. This idea suggests an important point about the independence of small states: the influence of large countries is often based on their size and resources, while the strength of small states is built on their value, efficiency, and necessity.
The value of a small state can be shaped by its geography, technological capabilities, financial system, communication position, defensibility, or international reputation. When its stability and success become important for others as well, its political weight also increases.
Jean Monnet, one of the founding theorists of European integration, proposed an institutional solution to this issue. According to him, cooperation among states should be strengthened through common structures and rules. The European system formed from this approach linked former competitors through economic and political mutual interests. The independence of a small state rarely strengthens in isolation. The diversity of connections increases resilience.
The geography of Armenia has long been perceived as a limitation. The same geography can become an advantage when the country connects different economic and political areas. The Black Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Caspian region, Europe, the Middle East—each new direction increases Armenia's value in the calculations of others.
The strength of a small state is also the art of being necessary for others.
One of the most stable guarantees of independence is precisely this: to have many connections and to maintain a center of decision-making.
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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