A Contemporary Political History of Tonga: The Emergence of The Pro-Democracy Movement; 1970-Early 1997

Abstract

This study of the contemporary political history of Tonga focuses on the rise of the Pro-Democracy Movement, its impact on Tongan political culture and on the Tongan nationals as well. Over the last ten years, a number of articles have emerged on various aspects of the rise of criticism of government by the emergent educated commoner elites. However, very little attention have been paid to the Pro-Democracy Movement's "grassroots" activities. The period under investigation is being divided, in this study, into four phases. Phase One deals with the rise of a new political elite class. It argues that it was a product of various developments in Tongan society, such as economic but particularly in education. Phase Two looks at the new political elite class itself and some of the early events that raised public interests in Tongan politics, particularly the rise of the independent press. The third phase examines the rise of public protests and the birth of Tonga's national politics. This culminated in the formation of the Pro-Democracy Movement. The last phase looks at the consolidation and the diversification of the Pro-Democracy Movement. This study focuses on the mobilisation of the general public by the Pro-Democracy Movement. It examines the interactions and the relationship between the Pro-Democracy Movement, the government and the people. The emergent of the new political elite and the rise of people's criticism of the government, spearheaded by the Pro-Democracy Movement which grow in confidence but not yet in power and authority, have resulted in a numerous, often unpredictable changes to the thinking of the general public. Most importantly, this study defends certain aspects of Western democracy against the more centralised authoritarian form of government. Not only that but it also written from the perspective of the people of Tonga who have called for greater democracy.