The Case for Non-Sovereignty: Lessons from Sub-National Island Jurisdictions - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 041586478X ISBN 13: 9780415864787

Publisher: Routledge, 2014

Synopsis

Territories like American Samoa, Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands and the Faroes are sub-national island jurisdictions (SNIJs). They all share some measure of autonomous government, and are easily construed as independent states-in-waiting. Yet, most of these territories exhibit no urgency to become independent. Instead, they appear to have decided that there are political and economic benefits accruing today when island territories are autonomous but not sovereign. In an uncertain world, a substantial degree of autonomy, respect and protection for local culture and identity, reasonable provision of employment opportunities, welfare and security by a larger and benign metropolitan state, have collectively weakened most local thrusts for independence. In spite of the mandate of the United Nations Committee on Decolonisation, there is a strong case to be made today for non-sovereignty, and it is the SNIJs that provide clear evidence.

About this title

About the Author

Godfrey Baldacchino is an international authority on Island Studies, and the second Canada Research Chair at University of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 041586478X
• ISBN 13: 9780415864787
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192
• Editor: Baldacchino Godfrey, Milne David