This handbook covers a wide spectrum of issues relating to small states. Chapters in the volume have been grouped under the three main themes of economic, social and environmental issues. The economics sections include chapters dealing with trade, finance and regulatory frameworks, while the social theme covers health, migration, population ageing, as well as overall social wellbeing. The environmental theme examines matters such as measuring environmental performance, natural disasters, the ocean economy, and the validity of the Sustainable Development Goals. One major issue is the definition of small states. As this volume demonstrates, generally speaking, population is used to measure country size in the literature. However, it clearly emerges that there is no real consensus as to the population cut-off point that distinguishes small states from large ones. While the approaches taken by the authors vary, in all cases the chapters draw practical policy implications for small states. The book can therefore be considered as a wide-ranging depositary of information on small states with the aim of deriving policy prescriptions, and thus as an excellent resource for academics, students and policymakers.

Political economy - the original name for economics in its entirety - has in recent years witnessed a semantic broadening to include some of the preoccupations of classical economics. This intriguing collection of contributed work is concerned mainly with developments in the neo-classical tradition and examines the role played by rational choice in

Why have the least developed countries failed to grow as fast as other economies during the recent period of globalisation? This title explores the broad links between growth in income, globalisation, and poverty reduction. It argues that domestic and international policies have failed to serve the interests of the poorest countries.

This unique and thoughtful book considers the tourism specialization, economic growth, and tourism competitiveness of a very specific type of tourism: small islands practicing warm water island tourism. This new book thoroughly examines the phenomenon of why some small island destinations have been more successful than others. The main premise applied is that success and survival of small island tourism hinges on resolving the mystery regarding the relationship between competitiveness and quality of life. In addressing this question, the book reviews four relevant and interconnected concepts: tourism, competitiveness, quality of life, and scale (or size). In doing so, the book enhances understanding of the potential of tourism for the improvement of the quality of life of the residents of small islands. In the last chapter of the book, the author assesses the impact of COVID-19 on tourism and specifically its ramifications for small island destinations. Whether small island populations can rise from beneath the COVID -19 burden that threatens their economic future is yet to be seen. Small Island and Small Destination Tourism: Overcoming the Smallness Barrier for Economic Growth and Tourism Competitiveness is written from a sustainable perspective that combines tourism dynamics, development, competitiveness, quality of life, and business. As such, it is aimed at a broad but higher-level audience including graduate students, academicians and researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and international organizations.

This excellent new book contains contributions from a number of leading experts and is the result of the UNU/WIDER project on globalization and low-income countries. The discussion focuses in on how to harness globalization for the benefit of present day marginalized countries and enhance their meaningful participation in the globalization process. Vital reading for students and academics interested in development economics, this collection will also prove an invaluable tool for policy-makers.

This book is concerned with the impact of economic globalization and an unregulated global market system on the Caribbean economies. The book is in three parts. Part I examines theoretical issues and includes an assessment of recent globalization trends, the limits of globalization, and the question of uneven development. Part II considers alternative policy solutions including interventionist alternatives, effective monetary strategies and innovative tourism strategies. Part III focuses on Jamaica and the Bahamas. Overall, this book provides a rich menu for alternative economic policies in the Caribbean at the turn of the century.

Notwithstanding denials by climate-skeptics, the global scientific community considers the world environment is rapidly worsening. They argue that failure to adopt measures to reduce CO2 gas emission in the atmosphere could lead to disastrous social-economic, politico-security and environmental consequences. Skeptics argue that climate changes are due to nature's own cyclical phenomenon. They fail to understand that climatology as a scientific discipline is in its infancy, but overwhelming evidence suggests that human activities are responsible for this. Smart campaigning and some mistakes by the IPCC in its 2007 report enabled skeptics to derail the efforts to adopt a legally binding CO2 emission target in Copenhagen in 2009. Global political leadership collectively failed to rise above their narrow national interest in Copenhagen. Last moment efforts led to a resolution, but a resolution without vision or teeth. Given large socio-economic differences between countries, a legally binding CO2 reductionresolution is anathema to many countries. The leadership failed to understand that "one size prescription would not fit all," as internal political compulsions dominate countries' policy position on climate change issues. South Asia is politically complex. The political and economic rivalry between China and India impacts differently on policy cooperation issues in regional countries, but on climate change issues policy response require a regional approach, as impacts do not stop at political boundaries. Water sharing is critical for India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. India and Pakistan are virtually water scarce countries and most of Bangladesh's freshwater comes from outside the country. These countries have been using groundwater at an unsustainable rate, and in many parts it requires treatment. Collectively they house largest number of poverty stricken people on earth. Food production is declining; rising food prices are creating a huge fiscal burden. UN Millennium goals remain unachievable. Rising sea level is predicted to displace between 30 and 60 million people. Food, health, human rights, and settlement issues all become a part of climate change policy. These countries, without a collective effort and international support, cannot resolve such ca