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Book Cover
E-book
Author Veenendaal, Wouter.

Title Politics and democracy in microstates / Wouter Veenendaal
Published Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge/Taylor and Francis, 2015

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Description 1 online resource
Series Democratization studies ; 29
Democratization studies ; 29.
Contents 1. Introduction -- 2. The theoretical debate on size and democracy : from Plato to the present -- 3. Theoretical model and research design : concepts, cases, and methods -- 4. The Republic of San Marino : Antica Terra della LibertĀ© -- 5. The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis : politics or politricks? -- 6. The Republic of Seychelles : En Nouvo Sesel? -- 7. The Republic of Palau : Ngelekel Belau -- 8. Conclusion : the political effects of smallness
Summary "Why are small states statistically more likely to have a democratic political system? By addressing this question from a qualitative and comparative methodological angle, this book analyses the effects of a small population size on political competition and participation. By comparing the four microstates of San Marino (Europe), St. Kitts and Nevis (Caribbean), Seychelles (Africa), and Palau (Oceania), it provides fresh and stimulating insight, concluding that the political dynamics of microstates are not as democratic as commonly believed. Instead, it is found in all four cases that smallness results in personalistic politics, dominance of the political executive, patron-client relations between citizens and politicians, and the circumvention of formal political institutions. In addition, the book suggests that the study of formal institutions provides an incomplete image of microstate democracy and that informal characteristics of politics in microstates also need to be explored in order to better explain the influence of smallness on democracy. This book will be of key interest to scholars and students of democracy, democratization, regional and decentralization studies and comparative politics"-- Provided by publisher
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Print version record
Subject States, Small -- Politics and government
Democracy -- San Marino
Democracy -- Saint Kitts and Nevis
Democracy -- Seychelles
Democracy -- Palau
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- General.
Democracy.
Politics and government
States, Small -- Politics and government.
SUBJECT San Marino -- Politics and government
Seychelles -- Politics and government. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85120752
Saint Kitts and Nevis -- Politics and government
Palau -- Politics and government
Subject Palau.
Saint Kitts and Nevis.
San Marino.
Seychelles.
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781317646587
1317646584
1322212090
9781322212098
1138792594
9781315761909
9781138792593
1315761904