Legislatures of Small States: A Comparative Study

This book provides a comparative study of the legislatures of small states. It explores the impact of small state size on the structure and functions of legislatures and contributes to a better understanding of the interplay of physical and social factors. Focussing on legislatures in democratic nations or in territories that are parts of democratic units, the book features case studies on Malta, Bermuda, Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Nunavut (Canada), Pacific islands, Swaziland, The Commonwealth Caribbean and Scotland. The authors seek to identify underlying correlation patterns and provide an examination of mechanisms: as the studies are located in particular historical and cultural milieus, they can look at the sequence of events that produced an outcome, not just at the outcome. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of international politics, comparative politics and legislative studies.