Introduction

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter introduces the core puzzle that the book addresses: why leaders continually imagine that re-scaling the state, via either integration or secession, will solve political problems. It then provides a synopsis of the main argument: the practice of statehood à la carte is a pragmatic, anti-foundational response to the ‘problem space’ of coloniality which creates an autonomy–viability dilemma for small states in the Caribbean and the Pacific. It then situates these claims in relation to existing studies in political science and political geography, outlines the comparative interpretive approach used for the analysis, and justifies the case selection and data sources. The final section provides a brief summary of each of the subsequent chapters.