FREEDOM HOUSE IN THE PACIFIC: DEMOCRATIC ADVANCEMENT IN FOURTEEN ISLAND STATES

Authors

Dag Anckar, Abo Akademi UniversityFollow

Abstract

The Freedom House surveys of political rights and civil liberties in the countries of the world show that the small Pacific island states perform remarkably well as democratic units. A further analysis of the surveys identifies two characteristic traits of democracy Pacific style. First, the general trend over time is one of improvement and advancement. Second, this fortunate development is promoted by betterments in political rights rather than civil liberties. This probably reflects efforts in the region to introduce concessions to traditional authority. However, the Freedom House conception of democracy does not include considerations of policy. Less than prosperous and in many cases quite dependent on aid and subsidies, the islands bear witness to the fact that frameworks that emphasize democracy as process and procedure may easily come into collision with frameworks that emphasize democracy as output and achievement.

Recommended Citation

Anckar, Dag (2005) "FREEDOM HOUSE IN THE PACIFIC: DEMOCRATIC ADVANCEMENT IN FOURTEEN ISLAND STATES," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 28: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol28/iss1/2