Politics and Development in the Contemporary Pacific

The Pacific is a region of diverse and complex island states and territories. While made up of mostly small islands, collectively it spans one-third of the planet’s surface and almost a quarter of the world’s languages are spoken in the Pacific Islands. The region is on the frontlines of climate change, encompassing the countries most vulnerable to sea level rise and natural disasters in the world, yet it is also a site of pioneering forms of climate adaptability and resilience. The Pacific is, and has always been, an important area for Australia’s interests. The Australian Constitution sets out the special relationship, specifically mentioning relations with the islands of the Pacific as part of parliament’s mandate. Today, with a fast-growing Pacific population in Australia and a renewed interest in the region as a site of geopolitical importance, this relationship remains significant. The course examines the domestic and regional politics of the contemporary Pacific, and the important developmental challenges facing the region. It is based on case studies from cutting-edge research conducted by Pacific experts at the ANU. The lectures, seminars and assessments are designed to help students gain a better understanding of how research can be translated into evidence-based policy.