In the long history of the world, there are many forms of states, in addition to superpowers, large countries and small countries, there is also a unique type of existence - pocket states. These tiny territories, with populations of only a few tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, have been formed into independent states. The existence of pocket states is actually a test, because the slightest strength of the country can swallow them at any time, which makes the survival of these city-states very difficult. Surprisingly, however, of all the continents in the world, Europe is the richest place for small states.
The European Miracle: Tiny Countries Bloom.
Europe has many small countries with a population of only a few tens of thousands, such as Andorra with a population of less than 40,000, Liechtenstein with a population of more than 70,000, San Marino with more than 30,000, and even the Vatican ...... with only a few hundred peopleSuch countries are not uncommon in Europe, and most of them have only one township or village, which is actually very small.
In contrast, it is almost impossible for a tiny country like Asia to exist. Most of Asia usually has a dominant power, and if that power does not want a small country to exist, the small country will soon be annexed. In South America, Africa and other places, there is also a lack of soil for the survival of pocket countries. As a result, there are essentially few pocket-sized countries on continents outside of Europe, and Europe has become the birthplace of this miracle.
The only explanation for the European riddle: the balance of powers.
Why does Europe have so many pocket-sized countries?There is really only one answer - "the balance of great powers in Europe". Looking at Asia, we will find that in most regions, there is a dominant power, and as long as this large country does not want the existence of small countries, the small countries will soon be annexed, which has led to the existence of almost no pocket states in Asia.
In Europe, however, it's a different story. In every period of Europe, there are more than three great powers at the same time, and none of them has an absolute advantage, and they play games and check and balance each other. This balance between the great powers provides a chance for many tiny nations to survive. Therefore, we see that most of these pocket countries were born on the borders of large powers, such as the border between Spain and France, the border between France and Italy, the border between Italy and Germany, the border between Germany and France, and so on.
A game between great powers: checks and balances make tiny countries.
Between these powers, none can easily annex the other, creating a state of mutual checks and balances. As soon as a powerful country tries to annex a small country, there will be interference from other countries. Therefore, the biggest problem in Europe is the balance of power between the great powers, the mutual checks and balances, and the absence of the dominant powers, which gives the small countries more room to live.
To this day, major European powers such as Britain, France, and Germany still check and balance each other, so that small countries do not perish easily. Moreover, the increasing number of small countries becoming independent from their original countries has contributed to the fragmentation of Europe, which is the main reason why Europe has the mystery of being a small state.
Epilogue. The answer to the European mystery of why there are so many pocket-sized countries lies in the balance of great powers. On this continent, powerful countries play games and check and balance each other, providing space for small countries to survive. In the historical development of Europe, the balance game between the great powers has made the unique existence of the pocket state. The continuation of this miracle is closely related to the mutual checks and balances of the great powers of Europe, which makes us more curious about the fate of the tiny European countries in the future, which is also the wonderful thing about the continuous evolution of history.
* The European Pocket State Phenomenon: A Delicate Balance Between History and Reality.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of the European pocket state, and presents a picture of the balance of great powers through the interpretation of the continent's unique historical and geopolitical landscape. By comparing the situation in Europe with other continents, the author highlights the phenomenon of the micro-state that is unique to Europe, thus provoking deep reflections on historical evolution and international relations.
First of all, the article points out that the relatively frequent appearance of pocket states in Europe is closely related to the geopolitical landscape of the European continent. Europe has historically seen the emergence of multiple simultaneous powers, and a delicate balance has developed between these great powers. This balance means that no one country can easily annex others, thus guaranteeing the living space of tiny states. By contrasting Asia, South America, and Africa, the article further highlights how rare this phenomenon is on other continents.
Second, the paper proposes that the mutual checks and balances between the European powers are the cornerstone of the existence of pocket states. These checks and balances are not static, but change with the course of history. From the borders of Spain and France, France and Italy, to Italy and Germany, and Germany and France, the great powers of Europe are pitted against each other, allowing small countries to find room in this game. This delicate equilibrium not only promotes the independent existence of the pocket state, but also allows Europe as a whole to maintain relative geographical harmony.
The logic of the article is clear and progressive. By contrasting Europe with other continents, the reader will be able to understand more deeply the uniqueness of the phenomenon of the European pocket state. The article strongly supports this view in the explanation of the balance of great powers, and through the analysis of historical facts and geographical environment, the reader has a clearer understanding of the phenomenon of small states in Europe.
However, there are some areas where the article could be further expanded. For example, a more in-depth historical examination of the checks and balances between the great powers of Europe could be made and how they came to be and continue to this day. At the same time, it is also an interesting direction worthy of further study for the status and role of pocket countries in international affairs, as well as the future development trend.
Overall, this article provides readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the history and reality of the balance of European powers through an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of the pocket-sized state in Europe. The in-depth excavation of this theme provides a useful reference and enlightenment for us to understand international relations and geopolitics.
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