Unit Code: HIS701

Unit Name: Political History of Fiji Since Independence

Description: This unit examines in greater depth the political history of post-colonial Fiji in the period 1970-2014. The unit begins with an examination of the political system at the time of independence and covers the functioning of parliamentary democracy between 1970-1987 under the race-based electoral system adopted at independence, the entrenchment of ?racial politics? and the de-stalbilization and overthrow of elected governments in 1987, 2000 and 2006, the various constitutional changes introduced since 1987, political leadership and the role of political parties and other representative organizations, and the politicization of key institutions such as the Great Council of Chiefs, the government bureaucracy, the judiciary and the military. The unit ends by examining the role of international actors and the use of sanctions in returning Fiji to democracy.

Learning Target Outcomes:

Prerequisite: HIS601, HIS602

Prerequisite Sentence: or equivalent

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 1