Labour policy in microstates

Abstract

This paper argues for the richness and relevance of conceptualizing policy making in developing micro-states as the management of, and by, a crew in a drifting vessel. "This elegant analogy adequately portrays the reactive nature of policy-making, the randomness of issues, and the consequential uncertainty as to strategies and outcomes, while also allowing policy-makers some limited discretion, and requiring a generous (perhaps idiosyncratic) measure of competence in directing the ship of state" . A discussion on the usefulness of the metaphor follows in the context of labour policy, its formulation, deployment and contestation in practice.