Within the last five years, the Republic of Vanuatu has been one of the fastest growing economies of the Pacific region. But behind the figures, I have witnessed, as an anthropologist doing fieldwork in the peri-urban neighborhoods of Port-Vila, the capital, the pernicious effects of an economic policy priorily based on Gross Domestic Production (gdp) and foreign investment-led economic growth and ignoring the specificities of this small indigenous state.
Vanuatu is changing rapidly, as a consequence of a massive boomin thereal estate market fostered by tourism and foreign investment. This kind of economic development leads to new forms of land alienation, creating tensions between Ni-Vanuatu communities. Only a small minority of Ni-Vanuatu have been able to take advantage of the economic prosperity.
This paper will describe the present economic and social situation in Port-Vila and the island of Efate, in the light of my personal observations during three recent fieldwork trips (20...