Smallness, islandness and cross-party dialogue: lessons from Cabo Verde

This article explores political dynamics in Cabo Verde, a small island Africanstate. Interviews with members of parliament (MPs) from the two major parties in Cabo Verdeillustrate that their experiences of practicing politics align with those of their counterparts inother small island jurisdictions. Smallness and closeness make it easier for representatives togauge the temperature of the electorate, leading to more appropriate and effective legislation.But closeness, stemming from smallness, also provides fertile soil for friendship corruption andpatronage, especially when it comes to the appointment procedures of anti-corruption agencies.This study also brings new insights to the research field of smallness, islandness and democracy.It shows that Cabo Verdean MPs view islandness as a protecting shield from authoritariantendencies on the continent, facilitating democratic consolidation in their own country.Moreover, it shows that repeated occasions for cross-party dialogue compensate for some ofthe drawbacks of small state politics.