Assessing the fragility of small island developing states

Abstract

This chapter considers the issue of governance from the point of view of state failure and examines vulnerability in this regard, arguing that state fragility and economic development are inextricably linked. Referring to a set of risk indicators, the chapter concludes that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), when compared to other countries, fall in the "medium" range of risk, and none of them fall within the category of truly "high risk." The authors propose two possible conclusions based on these findings. The first is that there are some mitigating factors within SIDS, not found in the broader panel set, that serve to lessen the overall incidence of conflict. The second conclusion is that, as a group, SIDS tend to experience conflict in ways that defy conventional definitions and measurements of the phenomenon. There is some evidence to support both conclusions. Though there is little open conflict found among SIDS in comparison with all states, many experience different, though equally disruptive types of violence, as is the case of Haiti, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.