Pacific Regionalism
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ii Abstract: This study looks at the relevance of regional organisations in the Pacific Island region. It analyses the history of the key regional organisations: the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). Since their establishment, there has been extensive criticism of the work of these organisations. This study tests and analyses the issue of legitimacy within supra-national organisations, and questions whether regionalism in the Pacific is an anachronism of the past. In the Pacific, regionalism puts out a compelling argument for its existence. Throughout the region, small island developing states are spread across the world’s largest ocean. Pacific Island states face many challenges, including: small economies, geographical disadvantages, vulnerability to climate change, varying availability to resources and a diverse range of cultures and languages. Regionalism provides a chance for these island states to influence world policy, build capacity in the region, promote good governance, maintain peaceful neighbourly relations, and create positive development outcomes. The methodology uses qualitative research of document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key informants. The research claims a social constructivist epistemology and uses an inductive conceptual framework in order to find solutions to the complex challenges of Pacific regionalism. It was found that regional organisations need to increase their transparency in order to enhance their legitimacy. They need provide a clearer evidence base, where all Pacific people can recognise and understand the benefit of regional organisations. The organisations need to work strategically to be nimble and reactive to upcoming critical junctures and issues. Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies need to coordinate better amongst themselves, open up communication with all stakeholders and create clearer mandates. In order to promote positive development, all stakeholders and Pacific people need to take ownership of these organisations, and support the Framework for Pacific Regionalism process. This study argues that there is great potential for regionalism in the Pacific, but this will only be possible if the region works collectively to enhance the legitimacy of these organisations. iii Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to give special thanks to my interview participants. I am so grateful that you all accepted to take part in my research. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, ideas and experience. The process of writing this thesis would not have been possible without the generous support of my supervisor, John Overton, my fellow Development Studies students, my family and friends. Thank you all for listening and being patient. Thank you Clae Baxter for helping me with the design of my title and chapter pages. Thank you to my father, John Davidson, for proofreading and fact checking. Thank you to my family for being with me, from the other side of the Tasman. Finally, thank you to coffee for keeping me focussed and buzzing. This thesis is dedicated to the people of the Pacific. iv List of Acronyms ACP - African, Caribbean, and Pacific ADB - Asian Development Bank APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations CARICOM – Caribbean Community COA - Compliance Advisor Ombudsman COP21 - 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference CRGA – The Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations CROP - Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific EC - European Commission EEZ - exclusive economic zone EPG - Eminent Persons' Group EU - European Union FEMM - Forum Economic Ministers Meeting FFA - Forum Fisheries Agency FFA – Forum Fisheries Association FIC - Forum island country FOC – Forum Official Committee FTA - free trade agreement GDP - gross domestic product ICT – Information Communications Technology IMF - International Monetary Fund KRAs- Key Results Areas MSG - Melanesian Spearhead Group NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement v NGO - nongovernment organization OAU - African Union PACER - Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations PASO - Pacific Aviation Safety Office PIASA - Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement PIDP - Pacific Islands Development Programme PIF - Pacific Islands Forum PIFS - Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat PNG - Papua New Guinea PPA - Pacific Power Association PTA - Preferential Trading Agreements RAMSI - Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands RSE - Recognised Seasonal Employee SG – Secretary General SPC - Secretariat of the Pacific Community SPNFZ – South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone or Treaty of Rarotonga SPREP - South Pacific Regional Environment Programme SPREP - South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme SPTO - South Pacific Tourism Organisation UN - United Nations UNCLOS – United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea UNDP - United Nations Development Programme USP - University of South Pacific VUW – Victoria University of Wellington WTO - World Trade Organization vi Table of Contents Abstract: ........................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iv List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................ v Pacific Region Map ............................................................................................................ x Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 Context .......................................................................................................................... 1 Motivations for study ................................................................................................... 2 Scope of research: questions ........................................................................................ 2 Significance and aim of research .................................................................................. 4 Chapter outline ............................................................................................................. 5 Foundations: origins and approach .................................................................................. 7 Chapter 2: Literature Review: global to island ................................................................. 9 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 9 Section 1: Global context ............................................................................................ 10 Definitions, types and theories of regionalism ....................................................... 10 Waves of regionalism .............................................................................................. 16 Modern day – benefits and challenges ................................................................... 19 Section 2: Pacific context ............................................................................................ 21 Definitions, types and theories of regionalism ....................................................... 21 Waves of regionalism .............................................................................................. 27 Modern day – benefits and challenges ................................................................... 31 Section 3: The Gaps..................................................................................................... 35 Critical junctures, effective management, and legitimacy ..................................... 35 Chapter 3: Context: the bureaucratic details ................................................................. 37 Secretariat of the Pacific Community ......................................................................... 38 Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat ................................................................................ 39 Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) Agencies ............................. 41 Pacific Plan .................................................................................................................. 41 Framework for Pacific Regionalism ............................................................................ 43 vii Recent events ............................................................................................................. 44 Chapter 4: Methodology: the theories and the ways .................................................... 51 Inductive approach ..................................................................................................... 51 Epistemology: social constructivism ........................................................................... 52 Positionality ................................................................................................................ 53 Methods: qualitative data .......................................................................................... 54 Interviews.................................................................................................................... 55 Historical documents and literature ........................................................................... 56 Reflection ...................................................................................................................