Middle Power Influence in International Narrative Competition

Abstract

In the international community, middle powers, due to their relatively limited hard power such as military strength and economic scale, often find it difficult to exert significant influence on the international agenda solely through traditional means of power. However, the ingenious application of soft power, especially through the construction and dissemination of persuasive strategic narratives, has become an important means for middle powers to influence the international community and shape external perceptions. Based on an in-depth review of the theories related to soft power and strategic narrative, this article proposes the "Narrative Impact Model" and takes Ukraine's diplomacy towards Germany as a case study to analyze how it has, to a certain extent, promoted the adjustment of Germany's energy policy through strategic narrative. The analysis in this article indicates that through strategic narrative competition, middle powers can reshape their image, guide public opinion, and influence decision-making on the international stage, thereby making up, to a certain extent, for the deficiency of hard power and achieving international influence beyond the scope of their traditional strength.