PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN SMALL AND VERY SMALL STATES: HOW DOES SMALLNESS AFFECT GOVERNANCE?

Abstract

How far does the capacity of public administration differ according to a country’s size? This paper examines the differences between small and very small states for insights in miniature into the capacity constraints in all states with weak governance. Smallness is only one dimension of statehood. But the challenges that ‘micro-states’ face appear particularly difficult and intractable. ‘Extreme’ smallness creates exacerbated and disproportionate resource constraints. Achieving public service delivery of the SDGs will therefore differ between small and very small states.