The Pacific Island States

Brings together experts from around the world to consider specific issues pertaining to regional integration and governance within small states. The authors collectively address the challenges posed to small states by the quickened pace of globalisation. The lessons learnt from the experiences of small states are then used to draw policy lessons for the Pacific island countries.

In the volatile post-Cold War era, the small, vulnerable states of the Pacific Islands region face several challenges to their security and sovereignty. This book focuses on these challenges, as part of an examination of security and defence issues in the region. It considers trends and issues over the last decade, and the uncertain prospects over the next. The book emphasizes political, diplomatic, and military matters, including the role of external powers, but also considers environmental, economic, and resources issues.

"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. The 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. The 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."--Publisher's description.

Since its origins in late eighteenth-century European thought, the idea of placing a regional frame around the Pacific islands has never been just an exercise in geographical mapping. This framing has always been a political exercise. Contending regional projects and visions have been part of a political struggle concerning how Pacific islanders should live their lives. Framing the Islands tells the story of this political struggle and its impact on the regional governance of key issues for the Pacific such as regional development, resource management, security, cultural identity, political agency, climate change and nuclear involvement. It tells this story in the context of a changing world order since the colonial period and of changing politics within the post-colonial states of the Pacific. Framing the Islands argues that Pacific regionalism has been politically significant for Pacific island states and societies. It demonstrates the power associated with the regional arena as a valued site for the negotiation of global ideas and processes around development, security and climate change. It also demonstrates the political significance associated with the role of Pacific regionalism as a diplomatic bloc in global affairs, and as a producer of powerful policy norms attached to funded programs. This study also challenges the expectation that Pacific regionalism largely serves hegemonic powers and that small islands states have little diplomatic agency in these contests. Pacific islanders have successfully promoted their own powerful normative framings of Oceania in the face of the attempted hegemonic impositions from outside the region; seen, for example, in the strong commitment to the ‘Blue Pacific continent’ framing as a guiding ideology for the policy work of the Pacific Islands Forum in the face of pressures to become part of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

In the volatile post Cold War era, the small, vulnerable states of the Pacific Islands region face major security and sovereignty challenges. Environmentally, the very existence of some of the island states is threatened by rising sea levels as a result of global warming. Economically, they mostly face continued dependence and increased poverty. Politically, they face challenges from secessionist and other internal conflicts. Strategically, while no longer 'sheltered' by the 'strategic denial' umbrella of the Cold War era, they are increasingly open to ripple effects from developments in Asia and the wider world. Meanwhile the interest and involvement of several aid donors have diminished. In this book a leading specialist examines trends and issues in the region over the last decade, and the uncertain prospects of the island states over the next. He emphasises political and military matters, including the role of external powers, but also considers environmental, economic and resources issues.

The Pacific Islands are thousands of islands, and represent numerous diverse cultures and languages. Find out what life is like in various Pacific Island nations. Discover the ethnic diversity, and how people live, work and play. What is the difference between Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia? Learn about the governments, history, culture and landscapes of countries like: - Fiji - Vanuatu - Nauru - Tonga - New Caledonia And find out more about Australia’s relationship with its Pacific Island neighbours. ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN NEIGHBOURS SERIES This exciting series explores the landscapes, culture and people of Australia’s closest neighbours. Inside each book you’ll find current information, maps, statistics, fun facts, timelines and photographs. Every book is a valuable resource designed to support Australian students and teachers, and meet Australian National Curriculum requirements.