Use and Misuse of Power: The Case of Nauru

When Jack Corbett wrote of the relationship between the smallness of Pacific island states and their economic, social and political outcomes, he observed that "comparatively little is known about how politicians negotiate smallness" and concluded that the answers were mixed, as might be expected. Corbett referred to various aspects, including the use of voting power in international institutions, the reliance on foreign aid, the influence of family and kin, as well as how some individuals utilise these factors to overcome the disadvantages of the parliamentary system.It is this latter aspect of smallness that is to be addressed in this article—the quite single-minded approach some leaders have taken to attain and retain power. How have they done so without challenge?