Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. CONFLICTING POWER PARADIGMS IN SAMOA’S “TRADITIONAL DEMOCRACY” FROM TENSION TO A PROCESS OF HARMONISATION? A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand Christina La’alaai-Tausa 2020 COPYRIGHT Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. 2 ABSTRACT This research argues that the tension evident between western democracy and Samoa’s traditional leadership of Fa’amatai has led to a power struggle due to the inability of the government to offer thorough civic education through dialectical exchange, proper consultation, discussion and information sharing with village council leaders and their members. It also argues that Fa’amatai are being disadvantaged as the government and the democratic system is able to manipulate cultural practices and protocols to suit their political needs, whereas village councils are not recognized or acknowledged by the democratic system (particularly the courts), despite cultural guidelines and village laws providing stability for communities and the country. In addition, it claims that, despite western academics’ arguments that Samoa’s traditional system is a barrier to a fully-fledged democracy, Samoa’s Fa’amatai in theory and practice in fact proves to be more democratic than the democratic status quo. Furthermore, this study suggests that both systems can be harmonized through the process of ‘Architectonics’, whereby the excellence of democracy depends on the excellence of Fa’amatai and vice versa. In doing so, it reveals that Samoa’s political status is that of a “traditional democracy”, a blend of democratic and Samoan traditional intricacies which need each other to ensure their relevancy, legitimacy and longevity within Samoan society. This study makes a contribution to the field of Pacific politics. In particular- it speaks to the democratisation paradigm that continues to occupy the thinking of many scholars and the work of many national, regional and international agencies. The study concerns the state of Samoa’s democracy and its relevance in traditional society (and vice versa) and investigates how it could be improved - potentially resolving some of the contradictions and barriers to a democratic model that is Samoan, sustainable and equitable. Moreover, the choice of using Samoa as a case study may also perhaps inform the processes of other neighbouring Pacific countries similarly 3 experiencing a tension between the western notion and system of democracy and that of traditional leadership within local Society. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are a number of people who contributed to this work in meaningful ways. Faafetai tele le Atua ua fa’ataunuuina ma le manuia lenei fa’amoemoe. Viia lou suafa Paia ma Tumau pea ia te Oe lou viiga e o’o ile fa’avavau! I would like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to Associate Professor Malakai Koloamatangi (Primary Supervisor) at Massey University for his enthusiastic encouragement, critique and support of this research, Malo Aupito! I am also very grateful to Associate Professor Bethan Greener (Secondary Supervisor) for her support, constructive feedback and help in fine tuning this thesis, thank you very much! Fa’afetai tele to my Massey Pasefika postgraduates Aiga who I have had the pleasure to share this academic journey with. Thank you for the insightful late- night discussions. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to the village of Neiafu, in particular the Fono a Matai – “Afio o lau afioga Tonumaipe’a, o le Tapa’au o le Alataua Susū lo outou matua o Tau’ili’ili ma la outou Aiga Samoeleoi Maliu mai Nofoapule Maliu mai oulua Tama igoa, Ta’atiti ma Tua’iaufa’i faapea le Fale’auga Ae tainane le mamalu i le Alataua.” I am also very grateful to the late Rev Pasetto and his wife Siniva Eteuati for the tremendous support. Neiafu, Fa’afetai le manatu mai, faamalo i lo outou titi faitama! 5 I would also like to say Fa’afetai tele! to my dear families in Neiafu, Vaitele Fou Ululoloa, Tufulele and Sinamoga for their love and support. I would like to also acknowledge Satuiatua, my grandfather’s village and Sasina, the village of my grandmother. A very special thanks to my dear friends who have been supportive of this research, you know who you are. My never-ending gratitude and appreciation in particular to my dearest mother Lafaitele Fualuga Taupi, you have always been my inspiration! Your love, encouragement, patience and prayers have been the lighthouse throughout this journey, Fa’afetai le fai tatalo! Malo le tapua’i! Finally, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to my husband Seiuli Nofoaiga Lalomilo Tausa and my children LynonahDolphin and Laalaai Hanonyl Tausa for your unconditional love, support, encouragement, patience and for being an invaluable part of this journey we have accomplished together. I will always remain grateful and indebted to each and every one. Fa’afetai, Fa’afetai tele, O la outou pule lea! 6 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to all the Fono a Matai throughout Samoa- in particular to the Fono a Matai of Neiafu, Savaii. It is my hope that this research may contribute in one way or another to the sustainability, relevancy, preservation and longevity of the Fa’amatai traditional system in Samoa. Last, but definitely not the least- I dedicate this study to my beloved grandparents- Lafaitele La’alaai and Palepoi Savaiinaea who always believed in me and whose presence I continue to long for. You are forever in my heart! 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS COPYRIGHT .............................................................................................................. 2 ABSTRACT................................................................................................................. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................ 5 GLOSSARY .............................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................................... 20 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 20 1.1 Introduction................................................................................................... 20 1.2 Democratisation in comparative and personal perspective ............................... 21 1.3 The nature of this study ................................................................................. 33 1.4 The Research Problem ................................................................................... 34 1.5 Research Questions ....................................................................................... 36 1.6 Overview of Chapters .................................................................................... 38 CHAPTER TWO ...................................................................................................... 41 LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................... 41 2.1 Introduction................................................................................................... 41 2.2 The Universality of Democracy ..................................................................... 42 2.3 Democracy in the South Pacific Region ......................................................... 50 2.4 Samoa’s Democratic Legislation .................................................................... 53 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................. 81 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................. 81 3.1 Introduction................................................................................................... 81 3.2 Experiential Knowledge of the Research Problem .......................................... 81 3.3 Fa’amatai: Samoa’s own Democracy ............................................................ 89 3.4 Fa’amatai – The Social Political System. ........................................................ 97 3.5 The Implications of the Research Problem ................................................... 106 3.6. Summary .................................................................................................... 111 CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................... 112 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK .......................................................................... 112 4.1 Introduction................................................................................................. 112 4.2 Theorising and ‘fit’ ...................................................................................... 113 4.3 Introducing Holistic Philosophy and “Sa’iligā Tōfā” .................................... 117 4.4 Theory Justification ....................................................................................