This volume is unique because of its focus on small states. There are many studies on civil society and social movements, but none that specifically deal with this category of countries. As is well known, small states have particular characteristics, including a limited ability to reap the benefits of economies of scale, a high degree of exposure to forces outside their control, and the proximity of politicians to the voters, often leading to clientelistic relationships and patronage networks. The small island developing states have the additional problem of high environmental vulnerability, with some also dealing with disproportionate ecological footprints. These factors have a bearing on the organization and performance of civil society organizations and social movements, as explained in several chapters of this book.
The volume is organized in three parts, dealing with aspects of civil society and social moments in small states in the political, social and environmental spheres, respectively. Various definitions of civil society are proposed in the chapters, but most authors associate the term with organized groups, operating in the interest of citizens, independently of government and commercial business, including various forms of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Civil society also encompasses social movements, which are considered to be loosely organized collective campaigns in pursuit of social goals. These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably; however, some authors argue that social movements tend to engage in ‘contentious politics’ including protests, while NGOs engage through more organized and institutional routes.
INTRODUCTION: CIVIL SOCIETY AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN SMALL STATES PART 1: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 01. CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE PURSUIT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN THE SMALL-ISLAND JURISDICTION OF TOBAGO 02. ENGAGEMENT OF CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES IN CABO VERDE 03. NETWORK GOVERNANCE AND THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS IN BELIZE 04. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTEST IN MALTA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 05. THE POLITICS OF LAND, SPACE, SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, AND IDENTITY IN JAMAICA’S COCKPIT COUNTRY 06. DEEP SEA MINING IN PACIFIC SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES – THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS 07. A POST ERUPTION ANALYSIS OF THE SIGNIFICANCE AND CHALLENGES OF COMMUNITY-BASED DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT IN SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES PART 2: SOCIAL ISSUES 08. CIVIL SOCIETY, THE STATE AND THE LGBTQIA+ MOVEMENT: THE CASE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO AND MAURITIUS 09. WEAVING “CULTURE” AND POLITICAL ADVOCACY IN A SMALL ISLAND NATION: SAMOA FA’AFAFINE ASSOCIATION AND NON-HETERONORMATIVE SAMOANS 10. THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ACTORS IN RESPONDING TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN SEYCHELLES 11. THE CARIBBEAN SUB-REGION REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS RESPONSE PLAN: EMERGING PATTERNS AND LESSONS FOR SMALL-STATE CIVIL SOCIETY IN GLOBAL MIGRATION GOVERNANCE 12. SHRINKING SPACES FOR MIGRANT SUPPORT CSOS IN MALTA, CYPRUS AND SLOVENIA: FROM THE REFUGEE CRISIS TO THE PANDEMIC 13. THE ROLE OF CHURCHES IN REGIONAL COOPERATION AND GOVERNANCE IN THE CARIBBEAN 14. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL ACTIVISM AND ‘BOTTOM-UP’ REGIONALISM IN THE PACIF 15. THE DILEMMAS OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN A RAPIDLY GROWING ECONOMY – BOTSWANA PART 3: POLITICAL ISSUES 16. ESTONIAN PROTEST WAVES: GROUPS INVOLVED AND MOTIVATING ISSUES 17. THE STRENGTH OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN SLOVENIA AFTER THREE DECADES OF POST-COMMUNIST EXPERIENCE 18. THE ROLE OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE PROCESS OF ACCESSION OF MONTENEGRO TO THE EUROPEAN UNION 19. THE DEMOCRATIC POTENTIAL OF POLITICALLY AND SOCIALLY-ORIENTED CSOS: THE CASE OF NORTH MACEDONIA 20. HOW CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS BROUGHT CHANGE TO THE MALTESE GOVERNMENT: 2019-2020 21. EXPLOSION OF ANGER ON THE STREETS OF MAURITIUS: THE OVERHAULING OF A POLITICAL SYSTEM? 22. SIGNIFICANT REGIONAL SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN OCEANIA 23. NOSTALGIA FOR THE FUTURE: STUDENT ACTIVISM IN THE CARIBBEAN LEFT 24. UNFROZEN CONFLICTS: SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN CYPRUS
