Small Islands in International Relations: Bermuda’s Sports Paradiplomacy

Abstract

The concept of smallness is not only found in Island Studies but also in International Relations, a study that discusses the interaction of political units in the international world. Both Island Studies and International Relations see smallness as a characteristic that can influence the behavior of small island states. This paper tries to bring together the two studies by discussing the case of Bermuda, an island with a semi-autonomous status which has a level of sovereignty close to that of sovereign states. The authors argue that smallness does not always translate into a completely negative condition. Some small states actually depart from their weak position in the international world to then develop their soft power, or the ability to attract the attention of other international actors in a non-coercive manner. In the case of Bermuda, its limited bargaining position in the international world actually makes it more focused on developing sports as its leading sector. Through the sports sector, Bermuda develops its brand to furtherly engage with other international actors and gains economic benefits from it.