Political developments do not take place in a vacuum; they are shaped within a particular milieu. In Malta, there is often a tendency to reflect on national events through a Malta-centric lens without appreciating the wider developments which prompted them.

2014 is a special anniversary year where a number of constitutional changes and milestones are commemorated. These include the 200th anniversary since Malta became a British crown colony by virtue of the Treaty of Paris, the 50th anniversary since it was granted its independence, the 40th anniversary since it became a republic and the 35th anniversary since the last British troops stationed in Malta left.

A cursory look at each event helps us understand that Malta’s development is intrinsically tied to the political developments in Westminster, Europe and the Mediterranean.

The events of 1814 were brought about by the signing of the Treaty of Paris in May. Malta’s independence coincided with the policies of decolonisation pursued by the British Government while Malta’s republican constitution is similar to the constitutional developments occurring in a number of former colonies that wanted to reassert their full independence by replacing the monarchy. The events of 1979 coincide with the military run-downs and disengagement pursued by the British Government. Malta’s EU accession was part of a wider policy pursued by the EU to expand eastwards and southwards.

In terms of Malta’s political development, the events of 1964 were particularly groundbreaking. They were largely shaped by the political developments of the previous 150 years and they affected the staggering development which took place in the following five decades.

In the post-World War II scenario, maintaining an Empire was a costly and far-reaching enterprise. Growing nationalist demands fuelled staunch independence movements. India and Pakistan, long considered to be the ‘jewel in the crown’, led the way in 1947. The Suez Crisis of 1956 unmistakably marked the end of Britain’s role as a superpower.

Four years later, in a speech delivered to the South African Parliament, the British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan acknowledged that: “The wind of change is blowing through this continent and whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact.”

By the mid-1960s, the process of decolonisation was inevitable and irrevocable. Former colonies which had long provided the Empire with a number of commodities were now sovereign nations. A number of small islands – previously considered to be mere colonial backwaters, trading posts or military bases – now become full-fledged nation-states.

These new states were nominally equal partners with their former colonisers. However, they had to make their mark in a rather tense period since the Cold War was at its height. Both superpowers sought to influence the politics of the nascent post-colonial states.

Faced with a somewhat hostile international context and different developmental challenges, the role of national leaders became crucial. A cursory look at the leaders of the period shows an eclectic mix of revolutionary leaders, populist figures, staunch nationalists and despots. Most went beyond the traditional boundaries of the left-right political divide and adopted a blend of socialism and nationalism in both rhetoric and policy.

Malta’s experience fits with most of the aforementioned patterns. Britain’s role in the Mediterranean was in decline. Doubts over Malta’s long-term economic viability and political stability loomed in the minds of many.

Cold War tensions were acutely felt due to Malta’s particular geo-strategic position. The Borg Olivier administration adopted a pro-Western policy while, following the Labour Party’s electoral victory in 1971, a neutral and non-aligned policy was adopted by the incumbent administration – much to the chagrin of both the US and Soviet Union.

The initial years following independence were challenging on a number of fronts. The political administration of the period and the civil service adopted a cautious but confident approach. This approach laid the foundations of a burgeoning, diversified economy, strengthened the tourism sector and helped shape Malta’s approach to international affairs.

As an independent nation-state, Malta had to find its own voice in international affairs. It successfully joined a number of international organisations including the Commonwealth, the United Nations, Unesco and the International Labour Organisation.

In line with other small island states, the principle of sovereign equality – whereby every state had an equal voice and an equal vote – was exploited to the full potential. Within these fora Malta tabled some key proposals including the International Law of the Sea in 1967.

These commemorations should serve as a reminder to look forward with a hint of self-assurance; without the need to resurrect the debates of the past and without falling into the trap of excessive jingoism

For the past 50 years, Malta’s foreign policy making has been essentially a constant balancing act. The context has changed dramatically, yet, Malta has also managed to make its own modest contribution. It has successfully managed to champion causes such as the importance of tackling climate change and ensuring stability in the Mediterranean region.

Its system of governance – though sometimes crippled with institutionalised clientelism and paternalism – is stable and sound. The Westminster system has helped to create this reliable framework. It provides for a ceremonial head of state, an elected legislature, an executive headed by a prime minister, a parliamentary opposition and an independent civil service.

When such events are commemorated, one may easily fall into the trap of nostalgia; creating and exploiting the image of a supposed golden age and supporting such an image with a patriotic narrative which ignores the more nuanced version of events.

These commemorations should serve as a reminder to look forward with a hint of self-assurance; without the need to resurrect the debates of the past and without falling into the trap of excessive jingoism.

The best lesson of the past half-a-century has been that of adaptability. Regardless of the adverse circumstances, both domestic and foreign, Maltese institutions have developed a certain degree of resilience which will surely serve Malta well in the future.

andre.deb@gmail.com

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