Skip to Main Content

Research Guides

International Studies Papers: Position Papers

Useful Resources

Position Papers in the Martin Institute | International Studies

Position papers are normally written in advance of a meeting in order to communicate a national, organizational, or personal position on a particular issue or set of issues. 

They emphasize both thoroughness and succinctness in equal measure, given that as many entities as will attend a particular meeting generate position papers. 

They differ from policy papers and white papers in that they do not seek to justify why a particular position is being advocated, but rather to communicate a country’s position/policy.

Another use for position papers is for agencies, politicians, and/or government departments to share their policy with constituents.