A Micronesian Civics Textbook: Micronesian Government: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Hezel, Francis X.; Levy, Josh (2008). A Micronesian Civics Textbook: Micronesian Government: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Palikir, Pohnpei: FSM National Department of Education.

Has attachment: File:J8K49HQI.pdf

Abstract: For as long as people have lived in these islands, there has been government. After all, government is simply the way in which power and authority are organized in a society. Any community must have its leaders, rules of conduct, and the authority to enforce those rules. They are as important for the well-being of the community as food cultivation and housing.

This textbook presents a look at the government in the Federated States of Micronesia, as it exists now and as it has developed over the years. That’s why it is entitled “Micronesian Government: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” In this book you will not just learn about the system of government in the islands today, but you will come to understand how the government came to be the way it is today. You will read about the issues that our early leaders faced, the political battles they fought, and the compromises that had to be made to create our present government system.

But government did not begin with the arrival of the ﬁrst foreigners. Government is as old as the Micronesian people themselves. Long before the ﬁ rst legislature was formed or the ﬁrst governor was appointed, island people had been governing themselves. That’s why this book begins with the traditional government in the different parts of the FSM. You will study the way in which your traditional system operated. You will see how leaders exercised their power, but also how ordinary people inﬂuenced the decisions that were made in their communities. You will also have a chance to learn a little about how traditional government systems in other islands operated. As you grow in understanding of these other systems, you should also deepen your appreciation of your neighbors from other states.

In the end, this course should prepare you to become a better citizen of your own nation. The building of a government system is not something that is done once and for all, after all. It is continually being modiﬁed as changes are introduced. Our hope is that you will contribute to the building of tomorrow’s government, just as so many of your own people have contributed to the creation of today’s system.