The foreign policy of small states : a focus on Malta between 1964-1979

Abstract

This study focused on the period between 1964 and 1979 and examined the Foreign Policy decisions taken by Malta at the time. During this period Malta was governed both by the Nationalist (1964 - 1971) and by the Labour (1971 - 1979) administrations, by George Borg Olivier and Dom Mintoff respectively. The aim and objective of this study was to evaluate major foreign policies of that time and to attempt to understand the main reasons why such policies were put forward. The purpose of this study was not to glorify or criticize whether these leaders and their respective governments took the right decisions but it was an objective evaluation of the, strategies involved In order to gain deeper insight into the underlying strategies leading to the development of these policies, interviews were carried out with five key persons, who had an important role in Maltese foreign policy at the time. After these policies were evaluated, a comparison with other foreign policies of other small states namely Singapore, Cyprus and Iceland, was carried out. This study found a common political pattern among these four countries (Singapore, Cyprus, Iceland and Malta). The common political pattern consisted of the following: occupation of these countries by a larger country, integration with the mother country, and independence and seeking membership in a regional and international organization. This study also found a relationship of the political stability of these small countries to their economic prosperity and security.