An Overview of the Research on the Political Economy of Reform in the Pacific

The individual studies reported in the following 13 chapters took many different “cuts” at the political economy of the countries involved. There are region-wide, country-specific, and sectorspecific studies, as well as studies of specific reforms and the activities of particular individuals and individuals in particular positions. There was an attempt to have a representation of Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian countries. No uniform analytical framework was imposed; researchers were free to apply the analytical framework that they saw as most productive in studying this phenomenon. By examining the interactions between the political, economic, social, and cultural characteristics of the countries from different angles and through different disciplinary lenses, the intent was to deepen understanding of the political economy of these countries and improve the effectiveness of any development assistance provided. This chapter provides an overview of the research undertaken and situates it within the context of the political economy studies undertaken around the developing world over the past decade, as reviewed in Chapter 1. The chapter also draws out the operational lessons for developing countries considering or attempting economic reform and for development cooperation agencies assisting in the process. In some cases, the studies confirm lessons that have already been learned elsewhere; in others, new lessons have been learned, particularly those relevant to the special circumstances of the Pacific island countries (PICs) themselves.