Talk by Prof Godfrey Baldacchino on Smallness: Some Critical Reflections

Smallness: Some Critical Reflections 

Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino spent the first 20 years of his adult life fascinated by meteors, the smallest particles in the solar system. He observed, plotted and analysed their features, and built knowledge on how they throw light on the origins and constitution of our solar system. He roped in many others in this adventure. He then spent the next 40 years of his adult life fascinated by small islands and small states, the smallest members of the community of nations. He visited, observed and analysed their features, and built knowledge on how they throw light on international relations, sustainable development and climate action, and indeed the future of our planet. 

Prof Baldacchino also spent 40 years working on and with workers and trade unions, looking at alternative forms of industrial relations that can survive in spite of an economic system dominated by large multinational corporations.

One sober assessment that has overshadowed this entire journey of his life has been grappling with smallness. He quickly understood that small size does not exclude agency or voice. However, being effectively agentic depends on competence and confidence, smartly sensing opportunities, being prepared to surprise others rather than being cowed by them, cultivating even unlikely alliances.

Godfrey Baldacchino is professor of sociology at the University of Malta and Malta's Ambassador-at-Large for islands and small states.