Social Policies in Small States Series

This paper assesses developments in social policy approaches and delivery in Grenada, including the economic strategies pursued and their effects on social policy, particularly in respect of children. It looks at the challenges faced by governments and presents a brief case study of Hurricane Ivan.

This paper examines the economic, political and social development of Malta, particularly since independence, highlighting the successes and failures of the social development strategies adopted and suggesting how these lessons can inform future policy decisions

Samoa is a role model in the Pacific region for its economic and social achievements. This in-depth study traces the history of government policy and examines the fundamentals underpinning the country’s progress. It also examines how the fa’a Samoa, the culture, enabled the country to build resilience after crises in the 1990s.

This book provides comprehensive analysis of social policy development in Seychelles, focusing on the political and economic developments that have led to the current situation. The challenge now is to maintain current levels of social policy interventions in the face of severe indebtedness and the stagnation of economic growth.

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are two small states that have struggled to develop successful social policies since independence. This study traces their social histories and examines factors that have hindered progress. Future development requires a move away from traditional social structures and a focus on political stability and economic growth.

Examines how the characteristics of small states influence their pursuit of a welfare state. Many of the small states discussed have not previously featured in mainstream thinking about the relationship between country size and the extent of the welfare state.

This paper examines the concept of social cohesion in policy debates and assesses its impact on social development. Part I examines the literature, identifying different types of usage. Part II presents a range of indicators that have been used to measure social cohesion. Part III provides discussion of the lessons to be drawn.