Globalisation and Governance in the Pacific Islands: State, Society and Governance in Melanesia

From Habele Institute

Firth, Stewart (2006). Globalisation and Governance in the Pacific Islands: State, Society and Governance in Melanesia. Canberra, Australia: ANU Press. doi:10.26530/OAPEN_459255. ISBN 978-1-920942-98-4.


Abstract: The Pacific Islands are feeling the effects of globalisation. Free trade in sugar and garments is threatening two of Fiji's key industries. At the same time other opportunities are emerging. Labour migration is growing in importance, and Pacific governments are calling for more access to Australia's labour market. Fiji has joined Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati as a remittance economy, with thousands of its citizens working overseas. Meantime, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands grapple with an older kind of globalisation in which overseas companies exploit mineral and forest resources.\nThe Pacific Islands confront unique problems of governance in this era of globalisation. The modern, democratic state often fits awkwardly with traditional ways of doing politics in that part of the world. Just as often, politicians in the Pacific exploit tradition or invent it to serve modern political purposes.\nThe contributors to this volume examine Pacific globalisation and governance from a wide range of perspectives. They come from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Hawai'i, the Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Jamaica as well as Australia.

Extra details:

MAG: 1815019969
OpenAlex: W1815019969
QID: Q60187347