OAR@UM Collection:/library/oar/handle/123456789/34722025-12-20T03:10:12Z2025-12-20T03:10:12ZMeasuring governance performance across countries according to four global databases : a focus on small statesBriguglio, Lino/library/oar/handle/123456789/1413082025-11-14T11:17:41Z2025-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Measuring governance performance across countries according to four global databases : a focus on small states
Authors: Briguglio, Lino
Abstract: The objective of this paper is mainly to assess the governance scores of small states on four well-known global indices, comparing such scores with those of larger countries. In doing so, the paper briefly discusses the meaning of governance and compares the four global indices with each other. In this analysis, small states are considered to be those with a population of 2 million or less. One of the findings of this study is that the four indices show that small states, on average, tend to register higher scores when compared to other categories of countries, but there is a wide dispersion of government scores within each country category, in all four indices. The paper concludes, therefore, that one cannot argue that small countrysize is necessarily a factor leading to better or worse governance simply by averaging the governance across scores.2025-01-01T00:00:00ZUnited States-Caribbean trade relations : geopolitical challenges, economic dynamics and policy pathwaysDookeran, WinstonValenciano, AndresPerroti, Daniel E./library/oar/handle/123456789/1407042025-10-29T12:57:00Z2025-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: United States-Caribbean trade relations : geopolitical challenges, economic dynamics and policy pathways
Authors: Dookeran, Winston; Valenciano, Andres; Perroti, Daniel E.
Abstract: The U.S.-Caribbean relationship sits at a crossroads. As power shifts to a multipolar world,
Caribbean states are moving from dependency to strategic multi-alignment to protect autonomy
and widen partnerships. Despite decades of trade preferences, economies remain narrow and
vulnerable to shocks; COVID-19 has accelerated the pivot. We offer a six-pillar framework -
export diversification, regional integration, and institutional strengthening among them - to
recalibrate ties while honouring sovereignty. The analysis shows how small states can reshape
partnerships for stability and shared prosperity, and how renewed U.S.–Caribbean cooperation can
build regional resilience in an interdependent era.2025-01-01T00:00:00ZRecent trends in the United States and Caribbean trade relationsDookeran, WinstonValenciano, AndresPerrotti, Daniel E./library/oar/handle/123456789/1406892025-10-29T07:26:03Z2025-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Recent trends in the United States and Caribbean trade relations
Authors: Dookeran, Winston; Valenciano, Andres; Perrotti, Daniel E.
Abstract: This paper examines recent trends in United States-Caribbean trade relations (2021–2024),
highlighting persistent structural asymmetries and limited diversification. Goods exchanges
remain concentrated in energy, transportation, and food, while services are dominated by tourism,
leaving the region vulnerable to external shocks. Using concentration measures, the study confirms
high dependence on a narrow range of products and partners. While identifying emerging
opportunities in digital services, renewable energy, and the blue economy, it underscores the need
for comprehensive strategies to foster resilience. A companion paper by the same authors
complements this analysis by outlining policy proposals to address these vulnerabilities.2025-01-01T00:00:00ZA systematic review of community-based volcanic risk reduction and adaptation to the compound and cascading impacts of climate change in volcanic SIDSCruickshank, AllansonMoncada, StefanoThomas, Adelle/library/oar/handle/123456789/1302902025-01-03T13:07:45Z2024-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: A systematic review of community-based volcanic risk reduction and adaptation to the compound and cascading impacts of climate change in volcanic SIDS
Authors: Cruickshank, Allanson; Moncada, Stefano; Thomas, Adelle
Abstract: This systematic literature review examined approaches to community-based disaster risk reduction
(CBDRR) and community-based adaptation (CBA) in response to both volcanic hazards and
climate change in small island developing states (SIDS). There is a dearth of research on this topic
in the existing literature. The SCOPUS, Web of Science and SpringerLink databases were searched
using the PRISMA 2020 method. The review yielded 50 relevant articles out of the initial 14,652.
Several papers focused directly on either community approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR)
or climate change adaptation (CCA), showing that there is still room for addressing these issues
jointly. Additionally, key themes were the role of indigenous and local knowledge, culture,
religion and the importance of social capital in the implementation of CBDRR and CBA. Case
studies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica were also included in the paper. A key
finding of the review and the case studies was that CBDRR and CBA approaches can be combined
in order to avoid the duplication of efforts and resources, especially important in the context of
SIDS, where these resources are often scarce and research rarely assesses the compound impacts
of climatic and non-climatic events.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z