TONGAS PRODEMOCRACY MOVEMENT

Authors
Citation
Ke. James, TONGAS PRODEMOCRACY MOVEMENT, Pacific affairs, 67(2), 1994, pp. 242-263
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
International Relations","Political Science
Journal title
ISSN journal
0030851X
Volume
67
Issue
2
Year of publication
1994
Pages
242 - 263
Database
ISI
SICI code
0030-851X(1994)67:2<242:TPM>2.0.ZU;2-T
Abstract
The recent political unrest in Tonga led by supporters of what has bee n termed ''the pro-democracy movement'' has had a long social genesis that began last century with the dismantling of the former system of c hieftainship and the establishment of a landed nobility. Since then, t he nobles' links with the people and chiefly tradition have attenuated , and their powers of patronage have diminished because of their decre ased control of land. The Tongan government is a constitutional monarc hy but one that is ruled the king assisted by his personally appointed cabinet ministers and the nobles' representatives in parliament. Comm oners have become increasingly prominent through educational and busin ess prowess, but they have minority representation in government. The last three general elections in Tonga, in 1987, 1990, and 1993, show s upport for political reform but resistance to the sudden imposition of full democracy in Tonga. Leaders of the noble ''establishment'' say t hat commoners already participate in government and to give thein grea ter power could set the stage for a Communist or totalitarian regime. Most commoners do not understand democracy and fear that it could detr act from the dignity of the monarchy. The pro-democracy group continue s to educate the commoners regarding their constitutional rights, figh t against corruption among government members, and seeks to curb the i ncreasing power of the king and secure greater commoner representation in government.