ABSTRACT
On 20 May 2002, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste became the newest member of the world’s forty or so semi-presidential systems. It also became the newest member of a special club: SIDS or Small Island Developing States.1
New, small states face particular challenges in establishing viable institutions of government and effective, democratic governance. In common with the governments of the poorest South Pacific and Caribbean states, the Timorese government is required to execute the multitude of domestic and international functions required of states but with critically limited human and institutional resources. Has a semi-presidential system for this small, new state helped or hindered the struggle to achieve democratic and effective government?
