The New Pacific Review: Pacific Island States Today. Volume 2 Number 1 December 2003

Abstract

For the island states of the South Pacific, the early years of the twenty-first century have been marked by considerable uncertainty. State systems have been under challenge, with coup attempts in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, a (short-lived) police mutiny in Vanuatu, and election violence and turbulence in Papua New Guinea being among the more dramatic incidents. Internal conflicts together with economic decline in many states have contributed to a general loss in confidence. Natural disasters (as in Niue), financial mismanagement (as in Nauru) and environmental warnings have prompted questions about the viability of some of the smallest states or territories. More general problems facing the Pacific, as elsewhere, include health issues (notably HIV/AIDS) and pressure to comply with other nations on governance and international security issues. (1st paragraph of Introduction.) Show more