Islands are coming under increasing environmental and social pressure, especially under the impact of tourism. The small scale of islands which are almost enclosed systems provides researchers with ideal cases in which to observe processes and test theories.
"The Development Process in Small Island States" focuses on the political security, tourism, gender issues, ecosystems, landscapes and economies of island communities. The contributors examine islands at different stages of the development process. They provide broad overviews of development issues relevant to islands, and identify the common interests that link islands and those who research them together.
Other essays examine a range of themes all based on original research in the context of specific islands. With case studies drawn from the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Pacific, the book describes the position of islands as ecologically and economically vulnerable sites.