Rural village politics in Malta : the case of Mqabba 1890 -1940

Abstract

The main aim of this thesis is the study of the interelations between national politics and village politics. The educational and occupational formation of Mqabba's population is analysed in order to establish any relations which might have existed between village leadership, upward mobility and education. Partiti tal-festa are considered as an integral element of village life and politics. The link with national politics is also underlined thoughout this thesis. Crime, intolerance and other social aspects are also discussed with relation to Mqabba betweeen 1890 and 1940. Several situations are described as a direct or remote effect of the geological position of the Mqabba area. The richness of franka (globigerina limestone) in the area conditioned to a great extent the inhabitants and the sort of lifestyle they adopted. Apart from giving a realistic picture of village life in Mqabba, this thesis tries to concentrate on the political, economic and social environment and the extent to which this physical environment conditioned the lifestyle of its inhabitants.