Defending Vision 20050 Thesis
By Francis Hualupmomi
I read with great interest the increasingly trafficking of critics and criticisms on the Vision 2050 (v2050) thesis and I am hereby compelled to defend it in a critical static standpoint. I am convinced that that the vision may possibly be achieved if there is a national will and drive. But first I wish to define the dynamics of v2050 and its logical sequencing for the newcomers.
I prefer to call v2050 thesis as a “Theory of Long Term Strategic Planning in Modernization”. The hypothesis is: “PNG will become a smart, fair, wise, healthy and happy nation when all the directional statements under the V2050 are articulated, institutionalized and implemented efficiently and effectively”. The v2050 is a political thought translated into a political statement or instruction called the strategic roadmap, charting PNG’s destiny to modernization. It is comprehensively driven by 7 key strategic pillars outlining more than 100 broad activities on how state apparatus should collectively function towards achieving it.
The vision is translated by an operational strategy called Development Strategic Plan 2030 (DSP2030). It broadly outlines quantitative long and short range goals and objectives to guide planning and expenditure priorities, which will be implemented through sectoral programs, to achieve the vision. In essence, it defines the current situation of PNG; provides targets of where PNG would be in the future; and how PNG will get there through its intervention package.
The DSP2030 will be implemented by sectoral plans called Implementation Strategic Plans by each sector. Each sector will develop its own strategies to respond to the vision. These strategic plans outline specific strategies (activities) to harmonize DSP2030 and v2050.
All these plans will work systematically and harmoniously to achieve the government’s main target - to attain a “Middle Income Economy/country” (MIC) by 2050. Currently, the government is working aggressively to design and deploy effective political and economic tools through strategic maneuvering to achieve these goals and objectives set in precedence.
In summative, the v2050 is a political instruction being translated and implemented through the operative and implementation strategies in a cascading logical sequencing order.
I dispute the critics and argue that the v2050 may possibly be achieved premised on these key assumptions:
First, the vision will be anchored in the law to avoid frequent political and administrative instability and inconsistencies. Over the last decades numerous policies and plans failed simply because of lack of firm legal grounding or legitimacy.
Second, other lessons support our long term strategic theory in modernization. The Malaysian Strategic Plan 2020 demonstrates an interesting model of long term strategic planning. Malaysia shares similar geo-political characteristics to PNG as a developing country. A long term strategic plan has led them to achieve its target as one of the MICs.
Nevertheless, a strategic shifting in ‘attitude’ is needed. PNG has an attitude syndrome which by extreme has curtailed development and modernization agenda. Should there be a shift in the pattern of thoughts within the mental faculty that governs its behavior, a rapid transformation and break through will occur.
Finally, a sense of ownership and patriotism (nationalism) is required. Everyone must take ownership and drive the vision with aggressive patriotism.
If these assumptions are right PNG will leap frog from an agrarian based economy into a modernized and industrialized state. More so, PNG will become an emerging soft middle power and a leading economy in the Pacific region. However, it is cautioned that although it is possible to achieve the vision, I must admit that at least to a certain point most plans will be achieved whilst some may not.
Exclusively, the v2050 is the only game. Everyone must speak the same language and operate at the same frequency. Although, critics are healthy in policy domain there is no room for reversing. The world is increasingly changing and becoming more complex and competitive with globalization phenomena. With increasing demographic challenges, market imperatives, intensified trade and innovation in technologies, PNG cannot afford to remain stagnant. Losers of game may mean PNG bandwagoning big powers and increasing the dependency syndrome.
Instead, credit should be given to our very own elites who have collectively worked tirelessly to translate political thoughts in modernization agenda. This is a truly home grown theory of strategic directions and plans in modernization. Hence, let’s be more optimistic about our new theory. Unless it is tested we will know the failures and success to improve on. In other words, we are not in a position to either proving or disproving this new theory when and until it is fully implemented.
It can be concluded that the new theory of long term strategic planning in PNG may be too ambitious in nature as echoed by many critics, however, it may be possible to be achieved by 2050 if the assumptions are right and implemented.
The author studies a Master of Arts in International Relations at the Institute of International Studies, Jilin University, China. For comments he can be reached on email: profdrakes@gmail.com
Monday, December 13, 2010
Towards Theorizing Pacific in World Politics
By Francis Hualupmomi
The focus of International Relations (IR) has very much shifted to East Asia as I may posit here in the context of the rise and influence of China in Post Cold War era. I briefly sketch the history of IR theories and explain how it has changed over time and space. Then I call for PNG scholars to theorize this shift in world politics.
Historically and conventionally IR has always been a Western concept. It emerges as a result of the rise of US during World War II and Cold War period. This period simultaneously marked the ideological emergence and confrontations in an attempt to ‘inquire, explore and explain’ the continuum of world politics characterized by conflicts and instability. Simply put it, how Western scholars attempt to explain and predict US hegemonic role in world politics.
Interestingly, the end of Cold War period marked the turning point of IR. The Cold War constructs a bipolar system of two dominant camps – US vs. Russia – of conflicting idealism. Two main IR theories, Realism and Liberalism took center stage to explain and predict states’ outlook and behavior with respect to Liberal Democracy and Communism.
After the end of Cold War several theorists question the validity of these theories, which gives birth to other theories such as constructivism in explaining the future of word politics. However, more increasingly significant, is the rise of China in the East, which has now posed a more intensified challenge to conventional IR theories.
China’s prominence in world politics is shaking both low (soft) politics and power politics (real-politico). The Post Cold War era has constructed East Asia has the ‘centre of gravity’ attracting and shifting almost all IR scholars to predict the reconfiguration of the international system and world politics. The question one would pose is: what would IR be with the rise of China? This question stimulates other implicative questions: is China a threat to West, in particular US? Will China replace US as the global hegemon?
Three conflicting theories predict different scenarios about these questions. First, Realists predict that the rise of China is a threat to US and may cause future conflict and instability. Second, Liberalism predicts that reemergence of socialism after the end of Cold War may have friction with triumph of liberalism. Finally, the new non-conventional IR theory, constructivism argues that China may not be a threat to the West premised on the argument that shared common norms play an important role, however, are cautious that rise of China may conflict other shared norms.
In contrary, Chinese scholars are currently disputing these Western theories and attempting to develop its own hybrid theory premised on Confucius thoughts. According to Chinese IR scholars, China is miscalculated as a threat to US by Western scholars. This is because Confucius philosophy of ‘peace and harmonious society’ ultimately constraints conflict and instability.
While the Chinese scholars are indulging into designing a theory in IR to best explain and predict its position in world politics, other scholars in particular from developing countries should embark bandwagoning the new school, although resting on conventional school. The challenge at the macro level is how developing countries will adapt into rapidly changing paradigms with IR. It is not about how they will play a high politics rather a low politics – not only to gain but generally to construct a peaceful and harmonious society under the global governance framework.
At micro level, how do PNG and the Pacific region theorize the new IR as predicted by conventional IR theories? Whist the focus of study is in East Asia, this does not exclude other regions of strategic interest. Pacific region has been one of the ‘playing fields’ of low and high politics. After the end of WWII and Cold war the rise, expansion and influence of China has dramatically tested US regional hegemony. It is a complex issue though.
In essence, PNG scholars with support from government should comprehensively define and establish a project on theorizing Pacific perspectives in IR. International politics play an important role in determining ones position in international system. On the extreme, developments in world politics may affect state’s national interest driven by policy and institutional paradigms, for instance The Vision 2050.
PNG is the ‘soft power’ in the region and is already playing an important role in regional and world politics, for instance, in global warming. She is expected to be a leading economic power in the region come full economization of LNG projects as predicted by some distinguished political and economic analysts.
Other developing countries, in particular Africa have developed and contributed their thoughts in IR focusing on how they see themselves within asymmetry of world politics. Indeed, PNG in the true interest of the Pacific region should learn and work closely with emerging China and some African countries to theorize its new approach in the context of emerging powers. It is suggested that an International Studies Institute within University of Papua New Guinea dedicated to this project should be the way forward.
I conclude that IR is dynamically changing and or shifting with the rise of emerging powers, which questions conventional IR theories. There is a need to theorize a hybrid theory on how PNG in the interest of Pacific should adapt itself in modern global politics.
Francis Hualupmomi studies a Master of Arts in International Relations at the Institute of International Studies, Jilin University, China. He can be reached on profdrakes@gmail.com
By Francis Hualupmomi
The focus of International Relations (IR) has very much shifted to East Asia as I may posit here in the context of the rise and influence of China in Post Cold War era. I briefly sketch the history of IR theories and explain how it has changed over time and space. Then I call for PNG scholars to theorize this shift in world politics.
Historically and conventionally IR has always been a Western concept. It emerges as a result of the rise of US during World War II and Cold War period. This period simultaneously marked the ideological emergence and confrontations in an attempt to ‘inquire, explore and explain’ the continuum of world politics characterized by conflicts and instability. Simply put it, how Western scholars attempt to explain and predict US hegemonic role in world politics.
Interestingly, the end of Cold War period marked the turning point of IR. The Cold War constructs a bipolar system of two dominant camps – US vs. Russia – of conflicting idealism. Two main IR theories, Realism and Liberalism took center stage to explain and predict states’ outlook and behavior with respect to Liberal Democracy and Communism.
After the end of Cold War several theorists question the validity of these theories, which gives birth to other theories such as constructivism in explaining the future of word politics. However, more increasingly significant, is the rise of China in the East, which has now posed a more intensified challenge to conventional IR theories.
China’s prominence in world politics is shaking both low (soft) politics and power politics (real-politico). The Post Cold War era has constructed East Asia has the ‘centre of gravity’ attracting and shifting almost all IR scholars to predict the reconfiguration of the international system and world politics. The question one would pose is: what would IR be with the rise of China? This question stimulates other implicative questions: is China a threat to West, in particular US? Will China replace US as the global hegemon?
Three conflicting theories predict different scenarios about these questions. First, Realists predict that the rise of China is a threat to US and may cause future conflict and instability. Second, Liberalism predicts that reemergence of socialism after the end of Cold War may have friction with triumph of liberalism. Finally, the new non-conventional IR theory, constructivism argues that China may not be a threat to the West premised on the argument that shared common norms play an important role, however, are cautious that rise of China may conflict other shared norms.
In contrary, Chinese scholars are currently disputing these Western theories and attempting to develop its own hybrid theory premised on Confucius thoughts. According to Chinese IR scholars, China is miscalculated as a threat to US by Western scholars. This is because Confucius philosophy of ‘peace and harmonious society’ ultimately constraints conflict and instability.
While the Chinese scholars are indulging into designing a theory in IR to best explain and predict its position in world politics, other scholars in particular from developing countries should embark bandwagoning the new school, although resting on conventional school. The challenge at the macro level is how developing countries will adapt into rapidly changing paradigms with IR. It is not about how they will play a high politics rather a low politics – not only to gain but generally to construct a peaceful and harmonious society under the global governance framework.
At micro level, how do PNG and the Pacific region theorize the new IR as predicted by conventional IR theories? Whist the focus of study is in East Asia, this does not exclude other regions of strategic interest. Pacific region has been one of the ‘playing fields’ of low and high politics. After the end of WWII and Cold war the rise, expansion and influence of China has dramatically tested US regional hegemony. It is a complex issue though.
In essence, PNG scholars with support from government should comprehensively define and establish a project on theorizing Pacific perspectives in IR. International politics play an important role in determining ones position in international system. On the extreme, developments in world politics may affect state’s national interest driven by policy and institutional paradigms, for instance The Vision 2050.
PNG is the ‘soft power’ in the region and is already playing an important role in regional and world politics, for instance, in global warming. She is expected to be a leading economic power in the region come full economization of LNG projects as predicted by some distinguished political and economic analysts.
Other developing countries, in particular Africa have developed and contributed their thoughts in IR focusing on how they see themselves within asymmetry of world politics. Indeed, PNG in the true interest of the Pacific region should learn and work closely with emerging China and some African countries to theorize its new approach in the context of emerging powers. It is suggested that an International Studies Institute within University of Papua New Guinea dedicated to this project should be the way forward.
I conclude that IR is dynamically changing and or shifting with the rise of emerging powers, which questions conventional IR theories. There is a need to theorize a hybrid theory on how PNG in the interest of Pacific should adapt itself in modern global politics.
Francis Hualupmomi studies a Master of Arts in International Relations at the Institute of International Studies, Jilin University, China. He can be reached on profdrakes@gmail.com
Entreprenualism is an art in China . . .
By Francis Hualupmomi
Entreprenualism is one of the important strategic tools in transforming an economy in modernisation and industrialisation age. One aspect of the Chinese economic success is the entreprenual culture in their market economy.
China is a socialist state with a command economy and centralised political and administrative system.
It appears that from a foreign political perspective, the Chinese political system may be perceived as an ideal model that shapes and governs the pattern of economic behaviour in the market economy.
Although this perception may be contentious in nature, there is a feeling of ownership and aggressiveness in people to be productive in the economy. The Great Leap Economic Manifesto designed and deployed by the Communist Party has played a significant role in shaping the economic behaviour of its people. Citizens are compelled to work for the government in the interest of “collective good” or “common good” where wealth is created and distributed equally in the society. This culture, one can argue, provides the foundation for people to be innovative in small scale entreprenualism.
In essence, entreprenualism is an art in China where economic activities take place anywhere at anytime. People buy and sell variety of goods, ranging from vegetables to electronics in the market. There is no such thing as laziness. Its economic activity is mostly premised on “bargaining power”.
Small scale market economy is most common in China and is one aspect that helps Chinese economic superiority in the new reconfigured globalised knowledge-based economy. The Chinese entreprenual culture is an interesting model for PNG to learn.
More interestingly, China has a big population with limited natural resources and abundance of human capital but has managed to grow extremely well within a short period of time. The question one would ask is why?
The simple answer is people are becoming so “smart to create wealth”. Entreprenualism is the strategic formula. There is no exception for PNG with less population and abundance resources. For instance, in Jilin, the province where I live and study, the population is about 16 million compared to PNG which is 6.5 million but people are able to utilise existing resources to produce economy of scale in order to create wealth.
There is no reason for people in PNG to migrate and settle in urban centres aimlessly and becoming unproductive. People should refocus their approach in creating wealth using abundance of resources. Unless this is done local people will continue to see Asian dominating the local market economy. There is also a misperception in PNG about Asian dominance in the local market economy, in particular Chinese businesses. Chinese-PNG working altitude can be best expressed in this slang Chinese “people work to live” while PNG people “live to work”. Chinese are hard working people and it is part of their life and culture which PNG needs to understand and appreciate. In PNG, people are more dependent and surviving on free handouts which is a bad culture that needs pruning.
Entreprenualism culture is what is lacking right now in PNG to drive the economy to modernisation and industrialisation in the age of globalization. There is a need to introduce entreprenualism education in all levels of education (both formal and informal).
It can be said that China is an ideal place for PNG scholars, policy makers and business and ordinary people to come and learn and experience its entreprenual culture in the age of globalisation. I am in no doubt PNG can attain a “Middle Income Economy” status by 2050 when there is an absolute strategic shifting in people’s mindset and or attitude.
Francis Hualupmomi is a Masters candidate in International Politics at the Institute of International Studies in Jilin University, China. For further information he can be contacted on profdrakes@gmail.com
By Francis Hualupmomi
Entreprenualism is one of the important strategic tools in transforming an economy in modernisation and industrialisation age. One aspect of the Chinese economic success is the entreprenual culture in their market economy.
China is a socialist state with a command economy and centralised political and administrative system.
It appears that from a foreign political perspective, the Chinese political system may be perceived as an ideal model that shapes and governs the pattern of economic behaviour in the market economy.
Although this perception may be contentious in nature, there is a feeling of ownership and aggressiveness in people to be productive in the economy. The Great Leap Economic Manifesto designed and deployed by the Communist Party has played a significant role in shaping the economic behaviour of its people. Citizens are compelled to work for the government in the interest of “collective good” or “common good” where wealth is created and distributed equally in the society. This culture, one can argue, provides the foundation for people to be innovative in small scale entreprenualism.
In essence, entreprenualism is an art in China where economic activities take place anywhere at anytime. People buy and sell variety of goods, ranging from vegetables to electronics in the market. There is no such thing as laziness. Its economic activity is mostly premised on “bargaining power”.
Small scale market economy is most common in China and is one aspect that helps Chinese economic superiority in the new reconfigured globalised knowledge-based economy. The Chinese entreprenual culture is an interesting model for PNG to learn.
More interestingly, China has a big population with limited natural resources and abundance of human capital but has managed to grow extremely well within a short period of time. The question one would ask is why?
The simple answer is people are becoming so “smart to create wealth”. Entreprenualism is the strategic formula. There is no exception for PNG with less population and abundance resources. For instance, in Jilin, the province where I live and study, the population is about 16 million compared to PNG which is 6.5 million but people are able to utilise existing resources to produce economy of scale in order to create wealth.
There is no reason for people in PNG to migrate and settle in urban centres aimlessly and becoming unproductive. People should refocus their approach in creating wealth using abundance of resources. Unless this is done local people will continue to see Asian dominating the local market economy. There is also a misperception in PNG about Asian dominance in the local market economy, in particular Chinese businesses. Chinese-PNG working altitude can be best expressed in this slang Chinese “people work to live” while PNG people “live to work”. Chinese are hard working people and it is part of their life and culture which PNG needs to understand and appreciate. In PNG, people are more dependent and surviving on free handouts which is a bad culture that needs pruning.
Entreprenualism culture is what is lacking right now in PNG to drive the economy to modernisation and industrialisation in the age of globalization. There is a need to introduce entreprenualism education in all levels of education (both formal and informal).
It can be said that China is an ideal place for PNG scholars, policy makers and business and ordinary people to come and learn and experience its entreprenual culture in the age of globalisation. I am in no doubt PNG can attain a “Middle Income Economy” status by 2050 when there is an absolute strategic shifting in people’s mindset and or attitude.
Francis Hualupmomi is a Masters candidate in International Politics at the Institute of International Studies in Jilin University, China. For further information he can be contacted on profdrakes@gmail.com
Role of Church in Human Capital Development
By Francis Hualupmomi
The Church plays an increasingly important role in development agenda. Although its central role is in the influence of evangelism across sovereign borders, social dimension also appears to be a complementary factor in the complete human transformation process.
The role of Church has transformed over time, space and distance. As globalization widens and deepens its scope across territorial borders, ideas, values and cultures impact the wider spectrum of international communities. The expansion and influence of Church is the manifestation of this wave of social modernization and internationalization. Today, the role of church in socio-economic development is distinctive and embraced widely by state and citizens.
The Church appears to be an important agent of change; precisely it fills in the missing gap left by the state. The provision of “Public Good” is the conventional central role of state to maintain order and harmony in the society. However, not all states have the sovereign capacity to maximize available resources to satisfy needs and wants of its citizens. It is at this juncture that the Church assumes the missing link to ensure continuum in social harmony.
The Church mainly provides public good in parallel with the state in a wider spectrum:
1. Affordable health services;
2. Welfare services; and
3. Affordable quality education.
The discourse on Church’s distinctive role is beyond my discussion. I condense my focus on human capital development with respect to affordable quality education.
The Church’s role in human capital development in PNG is highly recognizable. The first education began with the arrival of Christianism - as part of the wave of Europeanism in the Pacific region - in particular Roman Catholic followed by other Churches. Some of the finest minds of PNG elites, in the likes of Dr. Steven Edmund Winduo, late Professor Otto Nikitel, Sir Michael Somare, Sir Paulias Matane, etc, are the products of Roman Catholic Education.
I also pay tribute to one of the religious Orders in Roman Catholic, Missionaries of Charity Sisters. It first arrived in East Sepik in 1989 and established its foundation in Tangogo Pastoral Center, Wewak. The Order follows St. Teresa’s philosophy "Wholehearted and Free service to the poorest of the poor". This Order has contributed immensely to refugees, ex-prostitutes, the mentally ill, sick children, abandoned children, lepers, AIDS victims, the aged, etc. In Tangogo, it established the first “Kindergarten School” for the disadvantaged. I am proud to be one of the pioneers of this school to see it penetrating every corner of PNG. I will never forget Sister Antonia from India who has been very instrumental in setting my foundation.
St. Teresa and the Order of Missionaries of Charity Sisters
A holistic approach inclusive of non-state actors is a strategic ingredient in modernization agenda. In a world of interdependence complementary actions accentuates the spirit of ‘efficiency’ in the provision of public good.
The state must be commended in recognizing the role of Church in development. The inclusion of Church–State partnership in Vision 2050 is the way forward. The first pillar, Human Capital Development, is a critical strategy. With the current deteriorating state of affairs in our education and higher education system, complementary role is healthy. What is required is a continuous support provided by the government to Church to realize its strategic current thinking. The state alone cannot realize the Vision 2050.
There are ample run-down Church schools and colleges in PNG that require immediate attention. It is appealingly saddened to see some of these neglected colleges struggling to survive with scarce resources to educate our children.
Government’s strategy to rescue and upgrade deteriorating socio-economic infrastructures should not be urban-biased. Whilst focusing on state public institutions, restoring former glory of most of our run-down Church schools is potentially economical. Economizing human capital incur ‘higher returns’ in the long run. Restoring teachers, nursing and science and technological colleges is an urgent need.
Francis Hualupmomi studies a Master of Arts in International Relations & International Law at the Institute of International Studies, Jilin University, China. He can be reached on profdrakes@gmail.com
By Francis Hualupmomi
The Church plays an increasingly important role in development agenda. Although its central role is in the influence of evangelism across sovereign borders, social dimension also appears to be a complementary factor in the complete human transformation process.
The role of Church has transformed over time, space and distance. As globalization widens and deepens its scope across territorial borders, ideas, values and cultures impact the wider spectrum of international communities. The expansion and influence of Church is the manifestation of this wave of social modernization and internationalization. Today, the role of church in socio-economic development is distinctive and embraced widely by state and citizens.
The Church appears to be an important agent of change; precisely it fills in the missing gap left by the state. The provision of “Public Good” is the conventional central role of state to maintain order and harmony in the society. However, not all states have the sovereign capacity to maximize available resources to satisfy needs and wants of its citizens. It is at this juncture that the Church assumes the missing link to ensure continuum in social harmony.
The Church mainly provides public good in parallel with the state in a wider spectrum:
1. Affordable health services;
2. Welfare services; and
3. Affordable quality education.
The discourse on Church’s distinctive role is beyond my discussion. I condense my focus on human capital development with respect to affordable quality education.
The Church’s role in human capital development in PNG is highly recognizable. The first education began with the arrival of Christianism - as part of the wave of Europeanism in the Pacific region - in particular Roman Catholic followed by other Churches. Some of the finest minds of PNG elites, in the likes of Dr. Steven Edmund Winduo, late Professor Otto Nikitel, Sir Michael Somare, Sir Paulias Matane, etc, are the products of Roman Catholic Education.
I also pay tribute to one of the religious Orders in Roman Catholic, Missionaries of Charity Sisters. It first arrived in East Sepik in 1989 and established its foundation in Tangogo Pastoral Center, Wewak. The Order follows St. Teresa’s philosophy "Wholehearted and Free service to the poorest of the poor". This Order has contributed immensely to refugees, ex-prostitutes, the mentally ill, sick children, abandoned children, lepers, AIDS victims, the aged, etc. In Tangogo, it established the first “Kindergarten School” for the disadvantaged. I am proud to be one of the pioneers of this school to see it penetrating every corner of PNG. I will never forget Sister Antonia from India who has been very instrumental in setting my foundation.
St. Teresa and the Order of Missionaries of Charity Sisters
A holistic approach inclusive of non-state actors is a strategic ingredient in modernization agenda. In a world of interdependence complementary actions accentuates the spirit of ‘efficiency’ in the provision of public good.
The state must be commended in recognizing the role of Church in development. The inclusion of Church–State partnership in Vision 2050 is the way forward. The first pillar, Human Capital Development, is a critical strategy. With the current deteriorating state of affairs in our education and higher education system, complementary role is healthy. What is required is a continuous support provided by the government to Church to realize its strategic current thinking. The state alone cannot realize the Vision 2050.
There are ample run-down Church schools and colleges in PNG that require immediate attention. It is appealingly saddened to see some of these neglected colleges struggling to survive with scarce resources to educate our children.
Government’s strategy to rescue and upgrade deteriorating socio-economic infrastructures should not be urban-biased. Whilst focusing on state public institutions, restoring former glory of most of our run-down Church schools is potentially economical. Economizing human capital incur ‘higher returns’ in the long run. Restoring teachers, nursing and science and technological colleges is an urgent need.
Francis Hualupmomi studies a Master of Arts in International Relations & International Law at the Institute of International Studies, Jilin University, China. He can be reached on profdrakes@gmail.com
PNG Future Economic Power in Pacific?
Will PNG Become the Next Economic Power in Pacific Region?
Francis Hualupmomi
It is predicted that PNG will possibly become the next economic power in the Pacific region should she play the right game. I attempt to postulate this scenario premised on current political and economic events as it is or may unfold and provide some alternative strategies. These assumptions can be contested.
PNG has seen a steady economic growth over the past 9 years and is predicted to continue grow. That’s a remarkable unprecedented growth largely due to continuous stable political regime and prudent macroeconomic and fiscal management framework.
One of the main reasons why a country may see steady economic growth rests with the kind of political environment and climax created and maintained by a vibrant political regime. A stable political regime is necessary to foster an ideal economic scenario. This however, comes with effective and efficient strategic internal mechanisms, although dynamics of instability exist.
Contextually, it can be said that PNG economy has picked up well since mid 2000 with political shifting from Mekere regime to Somare regime. Mekere regime provided at least an economic foundation for the Somare regime take-off. The healthy economic performance of PNG economy can be alluded to a consistently sound political and economic framework engineered by Somare regime despite internal and external political and economic pressures.
The current government’s economic framework has fostered a conducive environment stimulating healthy economic performance. Despite slow world economic crisis recovery the economy has seen a steady economic growth rate from 5.5 per cent last year and is expected to grow by 8.5 percent this year. With blooming economic potentials being or will be economized PNG is expected to see another Asian miracle in the region sooner. Four important economic potentials underpin this prediction: LNG; Hydrology; geothermal; Carbon Trade and New Mining.
Geo-economically, the LNG is on of the biggest global energy projects, which is projected to boost PNG economy by about 11 per cent when it is fully economized in 2014. This will be interestingly similar to current Chinese economic growth rate.
More significantly, the LNG project will further be boosted by the carbon trade, geothermal energy, hydrology project from Southern Highlands to Australia and new mining operations such as Ramu-Nikko, Freda Mine, undersea bed mining and others.
In the context of globalised regional economy orientation and constituency PNG should strategically play an important role through strategic maneuvering in a US-led liberal order to achieve its national goals and objectives. Three economic regimes are strategically important for PNG to maximize absolute regional gains – accuracy in economic calculation is necessary.
First, PNG should focus on how it should strategically maneuver in regional regimes in economic liberalization (globalization). While it assumes economic power through domestic economic signals it should map out how it will strategically position herself in its export-led strategy in Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). It should take active role in influencing outcomes of ‘rules of game’ to maximize absolute gains. Failure to do so may result in continuous entrapment, abandonment and exploitation by big powers.
Second, PNG needs to build a nexus between Asian regimes to synergize its export-led strategy. In recent times, Asia is the centre of gravity attracting economic potentials. With China as the second largest economic power, bridging Asian market economy is a strategic step in harmonizing PNG’s economic wealth. ASEAN is an important regime which PNG must penetrate and participate in economic activities.
PNG must also exploit market opportunities in APEC. The APEC provides more region-wide market linkages which PNG can market its economic potentials to attract and maximize absolute gains. Should this is perfectly executed high economic returns will be attained to build economic power.
Clustering economic potentials and exploiting market synergies in Asia seems possible with heavy expansion of US and Chinese investment in the region. The US hegemonic role and rising China in the region provide yet an ideal economic environment to exploit opportunities. Power politics provides public good that can assists economically potential states such as PNG.
If these assumptions are right PNG is expected to be economically powerful and will assume some prominent roles in international relations of Pacific region. It will be an interesting historical time when PNG rises with rising China under US-led liberal order. However, this depends on the cost of political governance. Maintaining the current regime with improvement in governance mechanism is necessary.
Francis Hualupmomi studies a Master of Arts in International Relations at the Institute of International Studies, Jilin University, China. He can be reached on hualupmomif@hotmail.com
Francis Hualupmomi
It is predicted that PNG will possibly become the next economic power in the Pacific region should she play the right game. I attempt to postulate this scenario premised on current political and economic events as it is or may unfold and provide some alternative strategies. These assumptions can be contested.
PNG has seen a steady economic growth over the past 9 years and is predicted to continue grow. That’s a remarkable unprecedented growth largely due to continuous stable political regime and prudent macroeconomic and fiscal management framework.
One of the main reasons why a country may see steady economic growth rests with the kind of political environment and climax created and maintained by a vibrant political regime. A stable political regime is necessary to foster an ideal economic scenario. This however, comes with effective and efficient strategic internal mechanisms, although dynamics of instability exist.
Contextually, it can be said that PNG economy has picked up well since mid 2000 with political shifting from Mekere regime to Somare regime. Mekere regime provided at least an economic foundation for the Somare regime take-off. The healthy economic performance of PNG economy can be alluded to a consistently sound political and economic framework engineered by Somare regime despite internal and external political and economic pressures.
The current government’s economic framework has fostered a conducive environment stimulating healthy economic performance. Despite slow world economic crisis recovery the economy has seen a steady economic growth rate from 5.5 per cent last year and is expected to grow by 8.5 percent this year. With blooming economic potentials being or will be economized PNG is expected to see another Asian miracle in the region sooner. Four important economic potentials underpin this prediction: LNG; Hydrology; geothermal; Carbon Trade and New Mining.
Geo-economically, the LNG is on of the biggest global energy projects, which is projected to boost PNG economy by about 11 per cent when it is fully economized in 2014. This will be interestingly similar to current Chinese economic growth rate.
More significantly, the LNG project will further be boosted by the carbon trade, geothermal energy, hydrology project from Southern Highlands to Australia and new mining operations such as Ramu-Nikko, Freda Mine, undersea bed mining and others.
In the context of globalised regional economy orientation and constituency PNG should strategically play an important role through strategic maneuvering in a US-led liberal order to achieve its national goals and objectives. Three economic regimes are strategically important for PNG to maximize absolute regional gains – accuracy in economic calculation is necessary.
First, PNG should focus on how it should strategically maneuver in regional regimes in economic liberalization (globalization). While it assumes economic power through domestic economic signals it should map out how it will strategically position herself in its export-led strategy in Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). It should take active role in influencing outcomes of ‘rules of game’ to maximize absolute gains. Failure to do so may result in continuous entrapment, abandonment and exploitation by big powers.
Second, PNG needs to build a nexus between Asian regimes to synergize its export-led strategy. In recent times, Asia is the centre of gravity attracting economic potentials. With China as the second largest economic power, bridging Asian market economy is a strategic step in harmonizing PNG’s economic wealth. ASEAN is an important regime which PNG must penetrate and participate in economic activities.
PNG must also exploit market opportunities in APEC. The APEC provides more region-wide market linkages which PNG can market its economic potentials to attract and maximize absolute gains. Should this is perfectly executed high economic returns will be attained to build economic power.
Clustering economic potentials and exploiting market synergies in Asia seems possible with heavy expansion of US and Chinese investment in the region. The US hegemonic role and rising China in the region provide yet an ideal economic environment to exploit opportunities. Power politics provides public good that can assists economically potential states such as PNG.
If these assumptions are right PNG is expected to be economically powerful and will assume some prominent roles in international relations of Pacific region. It will be an interesting historical time when PNG rises with rising China under US-led liberal order. However, this depends on the cost of political governance. Maintaining the current regime with improvement in governance mechanism is necessary.
Francis Hualupmomi studies a Master of Arts in International Relations at the Institute of International Studies, Jilin University, China. He can be reached on hualupmomif@hotmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)