Abstract
The end of the Cold War has led to a reconsideration of global alignment formation narratives. Smaller states went beyond the simplicity of a balancing-bandwagoning dichotomy towards more delicate hedging strategies. Kazakhstan’s multi-vectorism, although often associated with hedging, resembles different engagement mechanisms. This research, thus, seeks to argue in favour of the conceptual distinction between hedging and multi-vectorism via the means of qualitative analysis of case studies of Serbia and Kazakhstan. This research will examine the mechanisms of establishing and signalling alignment preferences by Kazakhstan and Serbia to derive the patterns of engagement with regional heavyweights, and China in particular. The results imply a difference between the strategic mechanisms utilised by Kazakhstan and Serbia, which further indicates a distinction between hedging and multi-vectorism.