The politics of development in Palau
International Journal of Development Issues
ISSN: 1446-8956
Article publication date: 29 April 2019
Issue publication date: 24 June 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The Republic of Palau in the Micronesian region of the Pacific illuminates the complexities of how the political geography of development is shaped through diplomacy, defense and migration policy. The Compact of Free Association (COFA) between Palau and the US has been a topic of debate and for some resistance.
Design/methodology/approach
Through discursive analysis of grey literature and post-development and political geography frameworks, this paper analyzes the way in which development, through unconventional pathways, is used to exert power by Palau’s largest donor, the US.
Findings
The donor–recipient, government-to-government framework fails to explore the ways in development is used as power through military operations, zonal capitalism, redefined citizenship and tourism as new aid modalities. These graduated sovereignties in Palau show that political geography is taking shape through new pathways of development, which has resulted in more actors, institutions and discourses.
Originality/value
With limited research on the region of Micronesia and particularly the politics of development, this paper contributes important analysis to the lead up to the COFA renewal negotiations between the US and Palau in 2024.
Keywords
Citation
Thomas, E. (2019), "The politics of development in Palau", International Journal of Development Issues, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 160-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDI-12-2018-0203
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited