The Compact of Free Association, Micronesian Non-independence, and Us Policy

Lutz, Catherine (June 1986). "The Compact of Free Association, Micronesian Non-independence, and Us Policy". Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars. 18 (2): 21–27. doi:10.1080/14672715.1986.10412596. ISSN 0007-4810.

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Abstract: he article “The Compact of Free Association, Micronesian Non-independence, and U.S. Policy” by Catherine Lutz, published in the Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars, discusses the political and social implications of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and Micronesia. This arrangement, rather than leading to Micronesian independence, resulted in a form of dependency on the U.S. In the early 1960s, the U.S. sought to incorporate Micronesia into its state structure, formalized by National Security Action Memorandum No. 145 signed by President Kennedy. This aim was supported by the Solomon Report, which outlined a strategy of heavy financial investment in Micronesia, building infrastructure, creating dependency on cash economies, and eventually reducing support after programs failed, all to integrate Micronesia within the U.S. sphere without granting full independence.

The article also highlights the impact of U.S. policies, which included the introduction of Western-style education systems that shifted Micronesians’ focus from traditional skills to aspirations for white-collar jobs. This shift often led to a loss of cultural respect and economic self-sufficiency, locking them into a dependency on U.S. service programs. Additionally, the U.S. military presence has brought both negative and limited positive outcomes, including exposure to Western consumer goods and culture, alongside undesired nuclear fallout and further economic dependency. The article implies a critique of U.S. strategic colonization that led to significant disruption in Micronesian societies, and suggests the need for foreign aid packages to repair the social and economic damage.

Extra details:

MAG: 1975907628
OpenAlex: W1975907628
CorpusID: 143607666