Democracy in French Polynesia

April 25, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Mānoa Campus, John A. Burns Hall, Room 3121/3125 (3rd floor), East-West Center Add to Calendar

Dr. Sémir Al Wardi, Lecturer in Political Science, University of French Polynesia, Tahiti.

French Polynesia is an overseas community within the French Republic. However, French Polynesian political culture differs considerably from that of the Republic in Europe. In recent years, political instability has become one of the defining characteristics of French Polynesia with frequent changes in leadership. As an overseas community, French Polynesia is a “special” community because not all the laws of the Republic apply in the same manner as on the continent. Most interesting is the possibility that French Polynesia can one day obtain its independence, which is affecting French Polynesia’s relations with France. The divides between separatists and autonomists is very much alive. Concurrently, ideological weakness and political nomadism also facilitate political instability. Modern concepts of power, as well as relations between national and local powers are not well understood within the local society.


Ticket Information
Free and open to the public

Event Sponsor
Center for Pacific Islands Studies, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Katherine Higgins, 956-2652, khiggins@hawaii.edu

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