Lilliput under Threat: The Security Problems of Small Island and Enclave Developing States

Abstract

There are 45 states with a population of around one million or less, 36 of which are in the developing world. They are often overlooked and very little has been written about their security. After reviewing the debate on the definition of a small state, five distinctive characteristics most small Third World states hold in common are identified: openness, islandness or enclaveness, resilience, weakness and dependence. Each of these characteristics is examined and their specific security implications discussed. Finally, the vulnerability of small states in the current international system is considered. While small Third World states have much in common their strategies for survival will be different and depend above all on the regional context.