Smallness and democracy in Pacific island countries from an institutional perspective

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveAlthough a relation between smallness and democracy has often been examined, it cannot be said that an academic conclusion has been established. Focusing on Pacific island countries, this article has examined how democracy of microstates works and clarified a smallness‐democracy relation in the political process.MethodsThis article focuses on the political institutions.such as the executive system, the legislature's system, the election system, and the political party system—, and examines how these institutions mutually influence one another.ResultsIn the Pacific island countries, some important factors, including smallness and traditional human relationships, play a vital role in the political process, which makes their politics democratic and stable.Conclusions“Micro‐Cooperative Democracy” is presented as a new type of democracy that corresponds to neither the Majoritarian nor Consensus models.