An alliance of the century: The diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of China (Taiwan)

What exactly does the term "loyal ally" mean in international relations? This is a concept that is often referred to, but whose conceptualization is often less explored. The task of this dissertation, ambitious as it may be, is to take a look at the concept of loyalty in international relations through the lens of a case study that is baffling to many mainstream theorists who would be quick to assign to it the label of "exception to the rule." In the year 2022, the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of China (Taiwan) celebrated fifty-five years of 'friendship,' as they dubbed it, an anniversary of an alliance that has stood the test of time even in the current geopolitical context. The rise of the People's Republic of China (PRC) has come with many transitions in the international system, one of the most significant being its alliance formation activities within the continent of Africa. Despite China's overtures, Eswatini has maintained its allegiance with Taiwan, even when the handful of its regional neighbors that Taiwan had left switched their allegiance to the People's Republic of China (PRC), and the question is why? This research seeks to submit the concept of loyalty as an ideational unit-level factor as fitting to this case and as a complementary explanation to mainstream theoretical frameworks that deserve further focus. By engaging in an exercise of thematic analysis, this thesis reveals the patterns and narratives within various interactions between the two states that indicate the loyalty between them. This body of work is a dedication and contribution to small-state foreign policy theories and to the political studies of Eswatini, two fields that are in dire need of being academically and analytically investigated in the field of international relations.