The dynamics of Papua New Guinea's democracy: an essay

Abstract

This essay seeks to suggest some answers
\nto the deceptively simple question ‘How does
\nPNG politics tick?’ Here I examine some of
\nthe factors and forces within Papua New
\nGuinea that influence the imperatives of PNG
\npolitics. The first of these is the shape of the
\neconomy and its linkages with the state. The
\nnext are the fundamental building blocks of
\nthe Melanesian societies in Papua New
\nGuinea. Sir Mekere Morauta (Prime Minister
\n1999–2002), initiated institutional reforms in
\norder to improve the functioning of Papua
\nNew Guinea’s constitution and ultimately
\nthe processes of politics and governing that
\nwe call governance. This paper looks at the
\nearly impacts of these changes to voting
\nsystems and the regulation of political
\nparties. It then explores whether the logic of
\nthe PNG parliamentary game has really
\nchanged. I briefly examine whether the vote
\nof no confidence mechanism enables the
\nlegislature to control the executive, and the
\nanti-corruption agenda. The essay concludes
\nthat the interaction of highly localised
\nelectoral politics and provincial power
\nstructures under the constitution has helped
\npreclude the development of a national
\npolitical agenda, and ultimately of
\nresponsible and responsive government.