article

Thy kingdom come: the democratization of aristocratic Tonga

contemporary Pacific6 (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.
Subjects
Classes
Form and rules of government
Chief executive
Political movements
culture
Tongans
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