MICROSTATES, SMALL ECONOMIES, AND LARGE CHALLENGES: REFLECTIONS ON SMALLNESS IN THE AGE OF GLOBAL RISKS.

• Author: Dumienski, Zbigniew
• Position: POSTSCRIPT

In a world dominated by great powers and large states, powerful multinational corporations, big military alliances, and trade blocks, very small states and territories may seem inherently disadvantaged, or at least inadequate. This is particularly the case when considering the global nature of key threats facing political communities today.

The effects of such challenges as armed conflicts, ecological catastrophes, weapons of mass destruction, pandemics, growing global inequality and related social pressures, financial system meltdowns, and transnational crime transcend state boundaries and can, in theory, easily overwhelm all countries, particularly the smallest ones that usually played no role in instigating crises.

More importantly addressing these challenges appears to require vast material and human resources. Large states with considerable techno-industrial depth and robust bureaucratic machineries seem to be much better placed to respond to such perils, exemplified by the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines by the world's leading large states.

Relatedly, small political entities seem to be severely disadvantaged by the ever-growing complexity and burden of regulations governing international trade, financial services, and technological standards. Unlike large states, small polities may appear, at first glance, to simply lack the resources to function in a world whose rules have been set by the big players.

Despite all of these purported disadvantages, small states and territories are more prominent today than ever before. (1) This is arguably, in large part, a reflection of the nature of the international system, with its emphasis on an equality of sovereign states (at least in theory) as well as strong international opposition to territorial conquest and violation of existing borders. As observed by Lee Kuan Yew, the long-serving first prime minister of Singapore, the survival of small states "depends upon world conditions. It doesn't depend on [small states] alone... it depends on whether there is an international environment which says that borders are sacrosanct and there is the rule of law." (2)

The benefits conferred by internationally-recognized sovereignty allow some of the world's smallest and most resource-poor countries to receive the attention of global elites. It also means they may have influence over the shape and dynamics of the international system out of proportion to their size. As noted bv Baldacchino and Wivel, "The increasing number, complexity and detail of international institutions have helped to level the playing field in international affairs by allowing small states a bigger voice and more platforms and arenas where to seek influence." (3)

Thus, one could rightfully conclude that while small states and territories manage to survive thanks to a favorable international environment, despite many challenges, they are certainly unlikely to prosper in a world dominated by larger political units and blocs.

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