Governmentality in the liberal international order: the responsibilization of small states

The twenty-first century is marked by the “ubiquity of responsibility talk” in the liberal international order (LIO). However, these demands for “responsible” behavior do not cater just to moral aspirations—they are the subtle techniques of power within the LIO, falling squarely in line with the Foucauldian concept of responsibilization. We claim that states—and particularly small states—assume responsibilities because in exchange they receive status recognition, which hence serves as currency in their relations with great powers. In our case study, we examine how the Czech Republic chose to responsibilize in two domains—promoting democracy and balancing China—both of which have been important from the US perspective in perpetuating the LIO and Washington’s role within it. In return for responsibilization, the Czech Republic receives recognition and enhances its status in the hierarchy of US partners and raises its prospects to gain greater access to its decision-making elites.