article
Thy kingdom come: the democratization of aristocratic Tonga
contemporary Pacific • 6 (2) • Published In 1994 • Pages: 414-428
By: Hau'ofa, Epeli.
Abstract
This is a noted article by a Tongan elite about the decline of the aristocracy and the rise of the commoner class in the Post-Constitution era. The process actually began earlier with the wars that raged in the first half of the 19th century to centralize power around the king. According to Hau'ofa, the wars resulted in the 'emasculation and dispossession of the hitherto largely autonomous and multi-centered aristocracy.' Aristocratic power was further eroded with the Code of 1862 and Constitution of 1875, which reduced the number of estate-holding titled chiefs from over 100 to around 30. Also, a constitutional edict stipulating primogenital succession deprived chiefs from selecting the most able heirs from among their kin groups. The abolition of tribute, the rise of a market economy, universal education, and churches all helped to create a new class of wealthy commoners. Hau'ofa argues that the deliberate emasculation of the aristocracy unintentionally removed a political buffer between the monarchy and the people. The recent rise of a pro-democracy reform movement gives weight to this assertion.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2006
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Polynesia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Indigenous Person
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard; 2004
- Field Date
- unknown
- Coverage Date
- 1862-1992
- Coverage Place
- Tonga
- Notes
- Epeli Hau'ofa
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 428)
- LCCN
- 89646841
- LCSH
- Tongans