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Small but Smart: Small States in the Global System

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The Diplomacies of Small States

Part of the book series: International Political Economy Series ((IPES))

Abstract

Small states, often island or enclaves, frequently make news headlines because of their economic or political instabilities: the ‘failed state’ of the Solomon Islands, the imminent collapse of Nauru, the crisis of East Timor, and ethnic tensions and coups in Fiji are but recent examples. Small jurisdictions are also sometimes accused of being ‘modern day pirates’, bent on distorting international financial rules or operating on the margins of the financial system by creating offshore financial centres (OFCs) and attracting ‘unscrupulous’ sources of funds (Economist, 2007). Aside from these examples, however, there are many other small developing states that have made a successful transition to modernity, with quite envious standards of living and decent quality of life.

Laws are generally found to be nets of such a texture as the little creep through, the great break through and middle-sized alone are entangled in.

William Shenstone (1714–63), Essays on Men, Manners, and Things

I would like to thank Nicola Hypher for useful comments on earlier drafts of this paper.

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Authors
  1. Naren Prasad
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for International Governance Innovation, Canada

    Andrew F. Cooper (Associate Director and Distinguished Fellow) (Associate Director and Distinguished Fellow)

  2. Institute of International Relations, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

    Timothy M. Shaw (Professor and Director) (Professor and Director)

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© 2009 Naren Prasad

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Cite this chapter

Prasad, N. (2009). Small but Smart: Small States in the Global System. In: Cooper, A.F., Shaw, T.M. (eds) The Diplomacies of Small States. International Political Economy Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230246911_3

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