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.