Ethnic Conflict and Development: The Case of Fiji

by Ralph R. Premdas

This book examines the link between ethnic conflict and development. It provides a detailed background to the evolution of the communal strife in Fiji, showing in particular the role of ethnic entrepreneurs and out bidders instigating latent ethnic fears for political purposes. The work argues that the introduction of democratic politics in multi-ethnic states requires special institutions which do not cultivate zero-sum rivalry over control of the state and its resources. In Fiji open ethnic competition led to the seizure of power by one ethnic group over the other. An ethnically-inspired military government oversaw the infringement of basic human rights and the enthronement of a new apartheid regime in the international system. This book describes the political, social, psychological, and economic impact of communal conflict in multi-ethnic states as illustrated by the case of Fiji.

212 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995