Maltese Independence in retrospect : attempts at consolidation 1964-1974

Abstract

Maltese Independence in retrospect: attempts at consolidation, 1964-1974, deals with the general context of decolonization, being a case study of Malta after independence. This dissertation sets out a politico-economic analysis of the first decade of Malta as an independent country. It starts with independence and the consideration of sovereignty in 1964 and leads up to the end of 1974, when Malta became a Republic state. Since the period surveyed in this study is quite recent, many important documents are still inaccessible. Consequently, it was difficult to give a very detailed and complete account of what went on in those years. However, a balance was struck between both primary and secondary sources, the former being mainly official reports and plans, parliamentary debates and papers laid (when they were available), censuses and statistics, the main newspapers. As it was not possible to quote all the local newspapers, I have relied mainly on the Times of Malta and supplemented the information by the House of Commons Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) and the Malta Parliamentary Debates. In addition I have referred to secondary sources both local and foreign, including books about post-colonialism and other valuable material such as other B.A and M.A dissertations that deal with the period concerned.