REVIEW: 'Recolonisation' of the Pacific via 'free' trade

This study looks at the relevance of regional organisations in the Pacific Island region. It analyses the history of the key regional organisations: the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). Since their establishment, there has been extensive criticism of the work of these organisations. This study tests and analyses the issue of legitimacy within supra-national organisations, and questions whether regionalism in the Pacific is an anachronism of the past. In the Pacific, regionalism puts out a compelling argument for its existence. Throughout the region, small island developing states are spread across the world’s largest ocean. Pacific Island states face many challenges, including: small economies, geographical disadvantages, vulnerability to climate change, varying availability to resources and a diverse range of cultures and languages. Regionalism provides a chance for these island states to influence world policy, build capacity in the region, promote good governance, maintain peaceful neighbourly relations, and create positive development outcomes. The methodology uses qualitative research of document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key informants. The research claims a social constructivist epistemology and uses an inductive conceptual framework in order to find solutions to the complex challenges of Pacific regionalism. It was found that regional organisations need to increase their transparency in order to enhance their legitimacy. They need provide a clearer evidence base, where all Pacific people can recognise and understand the benefit of regional organisations. The organisations need to work strategically to be nimble and reactive to upcoming critical junctures and issues. Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies need to coordinate better amongst themselves, open up communication with all stakeholders and create clearer mandates. In order to promote positive development, all stakeholders and Pacific people need to take ownership of these organisations, and support the Framework for Pacific Regionalism process. This study argues that there is great potential for regionalism in the Pacific, but this will only be possible if the region works collectively to enhance the legitimacy of these organisations.

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Multilateral Resource Negotiations Between Weak and Powerful States: The Case of the 1987 United States-Pacific Island Fisheries Treaty

10.26686/wgtn.17000542 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Sōsefo Fietangata Havea

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Soviet Union ◽

United States Of America ◽

Pacific Islands ◽

The United States ◽

Pacific Island ◽

Island States ◽

The Soviet Union ◽

The Pacific ◽

Pacific Island States

On April 2, 1987, the Treaty on Fisheries Between Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America was signed. The signatories to the Fisheries were the 16 members of the South Pacific Forum and the United States of America. After six difficult years of negotiations, the Treaty permitted American fishing vessels to fish in Pacific Islands’ waters in exchange for a substantial access fee. This thesis identifies key aspects of that treaty and examines what it meant from both a theoretical and practical standpoint. How did a collection of small, comparatively weak Pacific states strike a satisfactory deal with the most powerful state on the planet? What did the agreement mean in terms of its political, legal and environmental consequences? As well as looking at the events and negotiations that led to the treaty, this thesis also attempts to discern the key political lessons that flow from this case that might be relevant for the future development of the Pacific island States in the key area of fisheries regulation. The thesis argues that disputes between Pacific nations and the United States over tuna resources and the presence of the Soviet Union in the Pacific region were the two critical factors that led to the adoption of the Treaty. From the United States’ perspective, the Treaty was seen (at the time) as the only viable option if it were to reconsolidate its long and prosperous position in the Pacific region. The US did not want the Soviet Union to capitalize on American fishing disputes with the Pacific islands, and it could not afford for the Soviet Union to establish a strong association with the Pacific islands. The Treaty therefore served three purposes for Washington: (i) it maintained its long friendship with the Pacific islands, (ii) it maintained its fisheries interests in the region, (iii) and it kept the Pacific communist-free. This fusion of US economic and strategic interests gave Pacific Island States a stronger hand in the negotiations than their size and power would have otherwise offered.

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Local Government in the South Pacific Islands

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance ◽

10.5130/cjlg.v1i0.766 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 7-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Graham Hassall ◽

Feue Tipu

Keyword(s):

Local Government ◽

Pacific Islands ◽

Government Reform ◽

Pacific Island ◽

Capita Expenditure ◽

Island States ◽

The Pacific ◽

Per Capita ◽

Pacific Island States ◽

South Pacific Islands

In this paper we seek to answer some basic questions about the condition of local government in the Pacific. Firstly, we examine what is meant by ‘local government’ in the various islands and for that matter how Pacific Island states have perceived and accepted local government institutions in practice; second, we ask basic questions about existing legal and constitutional recognition and powers; and third, we provide initial findings on current per capita expenditure and local government financial viability in a number of Pacific cities and towns. We also make some observations on current moves towards local government reform.

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Multilateral Resource Negotiations Between Weak and Powerful States: The Case of the 1987 United States-Pacific Island Fisheries Treaty

10.26686/wgtn.17000542.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Sōsefo Fietangata Havea

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Soviet Union ◽

United States Of America ◽

Pacific Islands ◽

The United States ◽

Pacific Island ◽

Island States ◽

The Soviet Union ◽

The Pacific ◽

Pacific Island States

On April 2, 1987, the Treaty on Fisheries Between Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America was signed. The signatories to the Fisheries were the 16 members of the South Pacific Forum and the United States of America. After six difficult years of negotiations, the Treaty permitted American fishing vessels to fish in Pacific Islands’ waters in exchange for a substantial access fee. This thesis identifies key aspects of that treaty and examines what it meant from both a theoretical and practical standpoint. How did a collection of small, comparatively weak Pacific states strike a satisfactory deal with the most powerful state on the planet? What did the agreement mean in terms of its political, legal and environmental consequences? As well as looking at the events and negotiations that led to the treaty, this thesis also attempts to discern the key political lessons that flow from this case that might be relevant for the future development of the Pacific island States in the key area of fisheries regulation. The thesis argues that disputes between Pacific nations and the United States over tuna resources and the presence of the Soviet Union in the Pacific region were the two critical factors that led to the adoption of the Treaty. From the United States’ perspective, the Treaty was seen (at the time) as the only viable option if it were to reconsolidate its long and prosperous position in the Pacific region. The US did not want the Soviet Union to capitalize on American fishing disputes with the Pacific islands, and it could not afford for the Soviet Union to establish a strong association with the Pacific islands. The Treaty therefore served three purposes for Washington: (i) it maintained its long friendship with the Pacific islands, (ii) it maintained its fisheries interests in the region, (iii) and it kept the Pacific communist-free. This fusion of US economic and strategic interests gave Pacific Island States a stronger hand in the negotiations than their size and power would have otherwise offered.

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Australia’s Middle Power Approach Towards Climate Change in Pacific Island

Transformasi Global ◽

10.21776/ub.jtg.2021.008.01.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Siti Dinda Narisya

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Pacific Islands ◽

Unique Feature ◽

Pacific Island ◽

Natural Conditions ◽

Island Region ◽

Middle Power ◽

Island States ◽

The Pacific

This article tends to examine the ways Australia approaching climate change in the region associated with its middle power status. Pacific Islands or Southwest Pacific Region is a regional territory that almost of all its surface covered by water. The region is prominent for having numbers of island countries or island states which are very dependent on natural conditions. They are vulnerable to the change of nature thus it hits their top national security. The issue of climate change in recent years has gotten more serious attention from all over the world and so does the pacific island region with no exception. Australia with its unique feature of being known as a middle power state and as the most secure nation in the region has served a distinctive approach on addressing the issue of climate change. The behavior and identity approach are adequately in line to establish certain strategies associated with middle power status in the role of guiding Australia’s foreign policy.

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Pacific Regionalism: Historical Anachronism, or Pathway to Future Development?

10.26686/wgtn.17019671.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Elspeth Davidson

Keyword(s):

Pacific Islands ◽

Good Governance ◽

Positive Development ◽

Small Island ◽

Pacific Island ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Pacific People ◽

Island States ◽

The Pacific ◽

Regional Organisations

This study looks at the relevance of regional organisations in the Pacific Island region. It analyses the history of the key regional organisations: the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). Since their establishment, there has been extensive criticism of the work of these organisations. This study tests and analyses the issue of legitimacy within supra-national organisations, and questions whether regionalism in the Pacific is an anachronism of the past. In the Pacific, regionalism puts out a compelling argument for its existence. Throughout the region, small island developing states are spread across the world’s largest ocean. Pacific Island states face many challenges, including: small economies, geographical disadvantages, vulnerability to climate change, varying availability to resources and a diverse range of cultures and languages. Regionalism provides a chance for these island states to influence world policy, build capacity in the region, promote good governance, maintain peaceful neighbourly relations, and create positive development outcomes. The methodology uses qualitative research of document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key informants. The research claims a social constructivist epistemology and uses an inductive conceptual framework in order to find solutions to the complex challenges of Pacific regionalism. It was found that regional organisations need to increase their transparency in order to enhance their legitimacy. They need provide a clearer evidence base, where all Pacific people can recognise and understand the benefit of regional organisations. The organisations need to work strategically to be nimble and reactive to upcoming critical junctures and issues. Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies need to coordinate better amongst themselves, open up communication with all stakeholders and create clearer mandates. In order to promote positive development, all stakeholders and Pacific people need to take ownership of these organisations, and support the Framework for Pacific Regionalism process. This study argues that there is great potential for regionalism in the Pacific, but this will only be possible if the region works collectively to enhance the legitimacy of these organisations.

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Free Trade Agreements - Boon or Bane?": Through the Lens of PACER

Victoria University of Wellington Law Review ◽

10.26686/vuwlr.v37i3.5575 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 391 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jane Kelsey

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Free Trade ◽

Pacific Islands ◽

Free Trade Agreements ◽

Legal Framework ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Trade Negotiations ◽

Economic Relations ◽

The Pacific ◽

Development Alternatives

This paper examines three dimensions of the Pacific islands’ relationship with Australia and New Zealand under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER): first the context, where Pacific governments appear increasingly nervous about free trade negotiations, but believe they have few alternatives; second, how the complex and opaque legal framework of PACER and onerous requirements for WTO compatibility set the terms for future trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand; and third, the inter-relationship between PACER and the Pacific Plan. It concludes that free trade negotiations risk determining the development options for the Pacific islands and leave no room for Pacific governments or people to explore genuine development alternatives.

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The Pacific Island States

10.1057/9780230372436 ◽

1995 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Stephen Henningham

Keyword(s):

Pacific Island ◽

Island States ◽

The Pacific ◽

Pacific Island States

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“We Are Our History”: Reviewing the History of Education in Hawaiʻi and Oceania

History of Education Quarterly ◽

10.1017/heq.2020.44 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

pp. 632-643

Author(s):

Derek Taira

Keyword(s):

Pacific Islands ◽

History Of Education ◽

Oral Traditions ◽

Pacific Island ◽

The Pacific ◽

History Of ◽

National Boundaries ◽

Pacific Island Nations

There is a “world of difference,” anthropologist Epeli Hauʻofa argued, “between viewing the Pacific as ‘islands in a far sea’ and as ‘a sea of islands.’” The distinction between both perspectives, he explained, is exemplified in the two names used for the region: Pacific Islands and Oceania. The former represents a colonial vision produced by white “continental men” emphasizing the smallness and remoteness of “dry surfaces in a vast ocean far from centers of power.” This understanding has produced and sustained an “economistic and geographic deterministic view” emphasizing Pacific Island nations as “too small, too poor, and too isolated” to take care of themselves. The latter, in contrast, denotes a grand space inhabited by brave and resourceful people whose myths, legends, oral traditions, and cosmologies reveal how they did not conceive of themselves in such “microscopic proportions.” Rather, Oceanic peoples have for over two millennia viewed the sea as a “large world” where peoples, goods, and cultures moved and mingled unhindered by fixed national boundaries.

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Promoting Peace Through Climate Change Adaptation

Advances in Public Policy and Administration - Handbook of Research on Promoting Peace Through Practice, Academia, and the Arts ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-3001-5.ch023 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 462-488

Author(s):

Peni Hausia Havea

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Pacific Islands ◽

Well Being ◽

Pacific Island ◽

Island Region ◽

Impact Of Climate Change ◽

The Pacific ◽

The Impact

Climate change has affected people's peace in the form of impact on livelihoods, health, and/or well-being. Most of these peace impacts, however, are felt significantly by people who are living in the low-lying communities in the Pacific, who are within and/or close to the Ring of Fire. This chapter is based on a study of peace and climate change adaptation that was conducted in the Pacific island region in 2016. It took place in five communities in Suva, Fiji: Vatuwaqa, Raiwaqa, Raiwai, Samabula, and Toorak. It highlights the impact of climate change on peace, and then it indicated how peace can be promoted in the form of climate change adaptation for these communities. Based on the results of this research, the author recommends that peace should be incorporated into the Pacific islands national adaptation plan.

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