Revisiting Island Decolonization: the Pursuit of Self-government in Pacific Island Polities Under Us Hegemony
Pöllath, Moritz (May 2018). "Revisiting Island Decolonization: the Pursuit of Self-government in Pacific Island Polities Under Us Hegemony". Island Studies Journal. 13 (1): 235–250. doi:10.24043/isj.46. ISSN 1715-2593.
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Abstract: “Revisiting Island Decolonization: the Pursuit of Self-government in Pacific Island Polities Under US Hegemony” explores the complex process of decolonization in Pacific island polities during a period characterized by US hegemonic influence. It focuses on formal legal mechanisms, constitutional issues, international relations, and diplomacy, particularly in relation to “high politics” involving powerful metropolitan states and political actors, rather than representing the rights or voices of Pacific islanders themselves. The study is limited to analyzing legal, constitutional, and diplomatic perspectives within the context of US expansion and retraction in the region.
The research revisits the theoretical framework of decolonization, traditionally defined by earlier scholars as the withdrawal of colonial powers from direct control. It notes overlapping historical processes in the Pacific region as the islands transitioned from colonial rule to a state of current semi-sovereignty, with specific attention to entities like the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam.
Throughout, the author critically examines the interaction between the colonial influence and the quest for sovereignty among Pacific island polities, taking into account geopolitical shifts and the impact of external powers, such as the geopolitical competition between China and the US. The paper also presents case studies highlighting the incomplete process of self-determination for certain communities, notably the Chamarro people. Ultimately, it provides a theoretical basis for observations on the state of decolonization at the turn of the 21st century and offers insight into the ongoing pursuit of self-governance within these Pacific islands.
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MAG: 2793107227 OpenAlex: W2793107227 CorpusID: 64980285
