States, Microstates and Islands

The special problems of very small states, which are often islands, have been a major area of interest to a wide range of specialists including researchers, students, and international policy makers in economics, development studies and international relations. Problems of access and frequent overdependence on just one or two products make the economies of small states very vulnerable and require special economic development policies. The fact that many ever smaller states were gaining independence became a cause for concern among some of the larger states in that the proliferation of many smaller states may interfere with the workings of international institutions.

First published in 1985, States, Microstates and Islands discusses these and many other important issues connected with the problems of very small states, presenting thinking and research findings that have shaped understanding of the topic.