Multilateralism is both a blessing and a curse when placed among small island developing states in the global system. The proposition that multilateralism can both advance and undermine the interest of small island developing states in the global system is undoubtedly true. Small island developing states do not have the power, wealth and influence to exert political clout in the global political arena at the individual state level and as such, their interests are often overlooked and ignored. If we take a critical look at multilateralism, the very definition of the word according to (Keohane,1990;731) defines multilateralism as “the practice of coordinating national policies in groups of three or more states”. Just with this definition, we can see the contradictions that lie within it, if we look at it through a Caribbean lens. Multilateralism, in which Caribbean states are involved in binding agreements, can be considered a contradiction based on conflicting theories of international relations. of Realism and Idealism. The first theoretical perspective to be undertaken will be the realist perspective on states in the global political arena. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy clearly states that “Realism, also known as political realism, is a view of international politics that emphasizes its competitive and conflictual side. It is usually contrasted with idealism or liberalism, which tends to emphasize cooperation. (Baylis, Smith and Owens, 2011; 4) states that “the main actors on the world stage are states, which are legally sovereign actors. Sovereignty means that there is no actor above the state that can force it to act in specific ways. Other acrors, such as... middle of paper...... 61 (4): 853–876.• Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, Power and. Interdependence: World Politics in Transition (Boston: Little, Brown, 1977) • Keohane, Robert O. “Multilateralism: An Agenda for Research.” International Journal, 45 (Fall 1990).• McGinnis, John O. “The Political Economy of Global Multilateralism.” Chicago Journal of International Law, Fall 2000, 6.• Strange, Susan. (1997). “Territory, State, Authority and Economy: a new realist ontology of global political economy”. In the New Realism. Edited by Robert, W. Cox (New York: The United Nations University Press, pp 3-19).• Spangler, Brad. “Integrative or interest-based bargaining.” Beyond intractability. Eds. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. Conflict Information Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder. Posted: June 2003 .