Jerome L. McElroy|Kara B. Pearce
The advantages of political affiliation: Dependent and independent small-island profiles
Saint Mary's College
abstract propensity dependence small subnational island jurisdictions snijs study argues favour superior levels performance achieved affiliation demonstrate evidence socioeconomic demographic profiles developed 25 snijs 30 sovereign small less one million population islands using 25 variables twosample means test results demonstrate snijs consistently outperform sovereign neighbours former economically affluent dynamic economies diversified towards international services tourism offshore finance also socially progressive higher life expectancy literacy rates lower infant mortality finally demographically mature lower birth fertility rates contrast independents emigrant status immigrant snij societies superior performance indirectly linked judicious use jurisdictional autonomy close metropolitan ties conscious advantages islanders repeatedly vote retain status quo