The Chief System During The Proess Of The Fiji’s Modernization

Around1970when Fiji became independent, the chieftain system had always exertedan important and far-reaching impact on its political life. By then, the “Great Council ofChiefs” at the center of power and the Ministry of Fijian Affairs managing indigenousaffairs jointly controlled the state power. However, due to the transition from the old times,the Modernization brings profound changes in the political and economic system as well asin culture, ideology and style of life, thus constantly challenging the paternalisticchiefdoms in Fiji. At the same time, the traditional powerful status of chiefs is also beingthreatened by the growing India population who demand more political power with theirprominent role in economy and society. With more and more indigenous Fijians benefitfrom the modern tourism, it comes to these chiefs that sticking to the old can bring the tribenothing but poverty and backwardness, which lets them start thinking aboutrevolutionizing the chieftain system so as to make it more compatible with themodernization. Now Fiji government have carried out transparent reforms in the selectionand appointment of chiefs, the diplomatic evaluation of achievements as well as in thechiefs’ range of authority in order to make the chieftain system operate smoothly in itscourse of modernization.