State Functioning and State Failure in the South Pacific
Date
2004
Authors
Reilly, Benjamin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Carfax Publishing, Taylor & Francis Group
Abstract
The South Pacific region features enormous variation in state performance. While Polynesian nations such as Samoa have proved to be relatively successful post-colonial states, Melanesian countries like the Solomon Islands are increasingly categorised as 'weak', 'failing' or 'failed' states. Drawing on a range of comparative studies by economists and political scientists in recent years, this article argues that cross-country variation in ethnic diversity between much of Polynesia and Melanesia is a key factor in explaining differences in state performance across the South Pacific. It shows how different kinds of ethnic structure are associated with specific political and economic outcomes, including variation in political stability, economic development, and internal conflict from country to country. In so doing, it helps explain why some parts of the South Pacific appear to be failing while others are relative success stories - and why this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: ethnicity; performance assessment; political process; state role; oceanic regions; Pacific Ocean; Pacific Ocean (South); World
Citation
Collections
Source
Australian Journal of International Affairs
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
2037-12-31
Downloads
File
Description