South Pacific Futures: Oceania toward 2050 analyses five different approaches in foreseeing South Pacific socio-economic realities— Globalisation and Doomsday, Oceania and Empowerment, Dependency and World-System, MIRAB (Migration, Remittances, Aid and Bureaucracy),finally Asianisation and Ethical Decision. The future of Pacific Islands in next decades is being analyzed mainly from the perspective of Globalists and Oceanians who underline the role of South Pacific diaspora in their forecasts. The first pessimistic standpoint, represented by Rowan Callick (1993 qtd. in van Fossen, 2005, 10),states that in overpopulated, dependent on capitalistic market, and demanding strategical expertise region, expatriates will become essential by “represent[ing] the true high culture of The Pacific.” The latter, comprised in Epeli Hau’ofa’s “Sea of Islands” (1994),bases on the re-establishment of pre-European mentality, autonomy, and self-sufficiency by exploration of natural sources comprised in 12% of managed by Pacific Islands waters. In proposed vision, the expansion of Islanders to other continents inflates the community’s reception, liberation from neo-colonial past, and effective regionalisation where “[o]ceania is bound together by new forms of transportation, information technology and telecommunications…” (van Fossen, 2005, 13). In both scenarios, diaspora plays a crucial role in providing South Pacific with independency, consistency, and continuity. Theories range from influence on population, environment, economies, politics, aid, information technology, media, culture, tourism. Clear tables, summaries of the chapters, short comments make the Anthony Van Fossen’s volume consistent and transparent.

Hau’ofa, E. (1994). Our Sea of Islands. The Contemporary Pacific, 6(1),148-161.
Van Fossen, A. (2005). South Pacific Futures: Oceania toward 2050. The Foundation for Development Cooperation.

South Pacific Futures: Oceania toward 2050 analyses five different approaches in foreseeing South Pacific socio-economic realities— Globalisation and Doomsday, Oceania and Empowerment, Dependency and World-System, MIRAB (Migration, Remittances, Aid and Bureaucracy),finally Asianisation and Ethical Decision. The future of Pacific Islands in next decades is being analyzed...