We assume that ideas, interests and strategies of regional powers are highly significant variables that influence their foreign policies. This volume explains how ideas, interests and strategies of regional powers shape regional and global politics. While comparative research projects involving OECD-countries are by now fairly common, comparative research integrating developing regions is still the exception. This is despite the fact that the countries concerned are seen to be among the key actors of the 21st century. This collection emphasises the role of regional powers in intra-regional, interregional and global contexts. Specific questions concerning the rise of regional powers are analysed from a comparative perspective.

我们认为，区域大国的思想、利益和战略是影响其外交政策的高度重要变量。本卷解释了区域大国的思想、利益和战略如何塑造区域和全球政治。虽然涉及经合组织国家的比较研究项目现在已经相当普遍，但整合发展中地区的比较研究仍然是个例外。尽管有关国家被认为是21世纪的关键行动者之一。这套书强调了区域大国在区域内、区域间和全球背景下的作用。从比较的角度分析了有关区域大国崛起的具体问题。