Pacific Small-Island States as Part of “the Others”: A Microcosmic Exhibition and Reflection of the World  

By John Louis B. Benito, LPT MA 

If one would take reading international affairs as a pleasurable endeavor, the emphasis would understandably be on the armed conflicts being “main headliners” such as the Russia-Ukraine War¹ or the conflict occurring between Israel and the Iran’s proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas.² Observing keenly, the patterns of these armed conflicts are merely the manifestations of states pursuing their strategic interests but at the expense of other states and non-state actors, as well as individuals. They can be indirectly implicated, as these events have their geopolitical implications not only for the region in which they are occurring but also for other states involved and other actors connected through various multilateral relations and trade. More undesirable would be if their conditions lead to the suffering, horrible experiences, and lack of security for civilians caught up in the middle. Unfortunately, they are often considered as an afterthought to the high politics discussion of war. Furthermore, on the sidelines, media and think tanks would invite subject experts, analysts and political pundits to relay their various interpretations on the causes of such occurrences and what lies ahead. The discussions may turn toward policy making that represent biases for a certain cause or ideology. This would likely result in an optimistic and well-crafted framework only to be translated differently or distorted as facts on the ground. There would still be a struggle to be the dominant power amongst though who would aim to do so. Wars would continue as if we were all condemned to experience all of it.  

Looking then at the big picture, there lies this pattern in international relations that is silently disturbing. It is quiet in a sense that no one would bat an eye for it: the act of neglect. How does this neglect manifest? Despite the opening of institutions and regimes that made way for other logics in explaining the contemporary world, it seems that there is a triumph of realism in the atmosphere. The material world it claims to render its presumptions for, seemingly proves it right as powerful states with all their military might can easily pursue their strategic interests compared to other states. Wars and conflicts of varying degrees persists, providing no significant room for human security and sustainable development to be the prevailing international norm and policy.  

This is an anarchic system detrimental for the relevance of what I call “the others”. These “others” are the ones who are essentially neglected and must rely to the powerful states upon the rise of conflicts, or any action related to its preparations. Their circumstances would logically call for more fixation with their economy and development over their armed forces and defense. In the study and discussion of international events, they can unfortunately be casted as footnotes or sideshows away from the main event. It may be suggested that this is simply the nature of international relations. For now, this belief has a solid case to stand by. But given these circumstances, what’s in it, therefore, for “the others”? How can this reality affect and reflect the whole world in the long run? How will they achieve their strategic interests or even just a basic assurance of security? The answers for these questions are complicated but needs to be done. 

One of the collectives that belong to “the others” are the small-island states in the Pacific. They fit in this category, as not all would have an idea who are the people in these countries let alone their history and cultural identity. Development issues are more pressing here compared to military matters. Media, particularly in the West that dominates the discussion on foreign affairs, do not prioritize them that much except probably in the context of them being involved with international organizations like the UN³ or being a part of treaties involving a great power.⁴⁵ Their experiences exhibit how “the others” were before and are right now. They can also reflect how “the others” can render implications for the international system in the future. These island nations, taken for granted as undiscernible dots in maps across a vast ocean, can show us in its microcosmic means, what is in it for a world where they are neglected.  

A Passing Fancy 

History would suggest that the ancestors of the people from these small-island states are masters of explorations by way of the ocean.⁶ As the western empires and states later explored and extended their colonies and territories, the same ocean the Pacific islanders mastered became the open canvas in which they drew their preferred images of power and influence.⁷ Currently, the islanders have co-existed with the standing bastions of the foreign seen through their territories and military bases. Some of these are France’s New Caledonia⁸ and Guam in which the US houses a naval base.⁹ In terms of the economy on the other hand, these small-island states are also vulnerable to economic hardships due to being prone to natural disasters.¹⁰ 

Furthermore, certain specific events about these island nations exhibit their standing in international relations. One would be the case of Nauru with their sudden rise and fall involving guano.¹¹ The country became one of the richest in the world at some point but was not able to sustain it due to a significant diminishing of supply of the said natural resource. Another would be Castle Bravo in which the US conducted nuclear testing in Bikini Atoll.¹² This resulted in dire social and environmental consequences for the locals. Meanwhile just a few days ago, an election in Palau highlighted the presence of a US military base and its implications for the security of the former. As the US’s geopolitical rival, China is also involved in an allegation of undercutting Palau due to its diplomatic ties with Taiwan.¹³  

These points at hand provide the grounds for a pessimistic inference. From here, it can be reasoned out from their history and contemporary examples of their global involvement that these small-island states in the Pacific are a passing fancy for the other powers and developed states dominating the international system. Having an insignificant human and natural resource to show or utilize, the root of its tangible value is ironically taken from this insignificance. Insignificance translates to open ventures for bigger powers to use them for geopolitical purposes. Consequently, insignificance can also mean an ease in neglecting these states if they have no longer utility. Worse, if these powers entered a conflict with one another catching these small-island states in the middle, the latter may have no choice but to commit to equibalancing approaches if not asking one of them to be a security ally. Their security, having no capability to pursue it unilaterally, hangs by the thread every time they rely for assistance. This is the fate of the small-island states in the Pacific being a part of “the others”.  But this is not the only plight that these undergo. Unfortunately, their micro illustration of the others’ experiences presents a situation unique to them: they are sinking fast literally.  

Crushing Under the Blue Elephant’s Steps 

It turns out that these small-island states must deal with another big occurrence aside from their relations with powerful states and economically well-off ones. The environment, unlike states, knows no politics. It only becomes political upon its entry to policy discussions by various actors. Even so, its manifestations are felt on the planet as its whole domain is more than any political delineations we may construct within. Climate change affects every state especially those with coastal areas through rising water levels. But its devastation is more evident in these Pacific small-island states of the Pacific. They are sinking with no realistic optimism that their entire countries, their literal sands and soils, would still be above water and habitable in the future. The issue is so desperate that the rising waters became the background, literally and figuratively, for the speech of Tuvalu’s foreign minister during COP26.¹⁴ 

Pointing out the science behind, NASA’s Sea Level Change Science Team that the sea level rise will affect countries such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji.¹⁵ Because of this, various international discussions and agreements facilitated by the likes of the UN¹⁶ and Australia do exist. One of these agreements was the Falepili Union Treaty between Australia and Tuvalu.¹⁷ Being the nearest developed country aside from New Zealand, the agreement essentially planned for Australia to accept relocated people from Tuvalu incase environmental existential threats continues to manifest for the latter. The effectivity of its enactment is still to be observed as it only came to force months ago.  

One may then argue that these small island-states are receiving help through nearby developed states and are not in total shambles. However, the whole world does not only consist of all the states across the Pacific Ocean. This is an important fact to emphasize especially on environmental concerns like climate change. The international community should be involved even those that are far from these small-island states. Whether there would be an aggregate significant approach is questionable owing to the agenda we are focusing right now, especially the powerful ones. 

The plight of these small-island nations, however small and one of a kind it may be, simply exhibits what lies ahead for the rest. The problem is we tend to ignore these Pacific nations as we disregard their environmental problems while being oblivious to the fact that the uniqueness of their situation is just a specific indicator of a larger problem that directly involves us. In a world that looks like a place where states only care for relative gains and all other approaches for cooperation remains only in black and white, the dots across the Pacific will depressingly be nothing but a stain in a broad canvass. 

To some extent, this phenomenon raises questions about the future of these states. What would a state be without a physical existing territory? How about the people that have recognized these islands as home? What would happen to their culture, heritage, and ancestry? If they would seek refuge, how would they be treated in their host’s country? Like a true “other”, a historic shift for these people may not matter in the grand scheme of things. But if one would analyze, their worsening situation is also the reality for the rest of the world. Climate change that exacerbates forced migration continues to be observed in various continents and regions like in Africa.¹⁸ This may continue as there are no indicators that global warming is generally easing. Moreover, states like Bangladesh, having vulnerable coastal areas, may lose some of it due to rising sea levels.¹⁹ The people in these locations are at risk to be like the Pacific islanders one way or another by the need to move or the need of an aid. 

But what exactly do these occurrences have to do with the powerful states and even the states considered as economic powerhouses? They are essentially those residences at the top of the hill in which “the others” would try to reach and ask for help. As of now in general, the doors are not fully open. The EU, with all the well-off Western European states it has, have fortified their borders as a response to irregular migration coming from places like Western Africa.²⁰ In addition, the US have also a heavily secured border with Mexico to ward off undesirable migrants.²¹ In a sense, they have steered away from directly heeding the calls for help. Even as they may throw aid and ratify treaties here and there, climate change continues as there is no effective and long-term solution provided. Most, if not all powerful and developed states, are heavily focused on pursuing their own intentions in the international arena with no substantial regard for sustainability.  

A Friendly Reminder: Deal Not with Magnitude 

Probably by now, you may think that this article could have just focused on any of “the others”. You may be right by reasoning that another case could lead to almost the same inferences or conclusions. However, the case of the Pacific small-island states amongst “the others” perfectly captures the international community’s sick habit of focusing on numbers, wealth, and size as an indicator of magnitude or significance. If a state would at least have one of these, it is a significant part of international affairs and policy making for better or worse. Sadly, all of these are not present to the Pacific small-island states, especially the first one pertaining to their population. They are the most legitimate pawns in the political game of chess used as a sacrifice or a puppet, can easily be used and discarded, not that much significant value to be assisted upon, and no chance to reach the end of the board for a promotion. The world tends to react only if an issue becomes a large-scale crisis especially if it comes knocking on their borders. But even in these circumstances, a favorable response for “the others” is unsure as shown in the case of the EU and US. These small-island nations are far away from other countries, current events, and armed conflicts to be given significant attention. If these states hypothetically sink right now, I bet the international community would not even quickly notice it happened.  

Yet, here the Pacific islanders remain illustrating what is happening, what is to come, and what is wrong with all of us. Only if a significant number of collectives, especially powerful actors, would bat an eye. If we are to consider the international system as a machinery, the small and insignificant gears are still part of its functioning. An abnormality in its rotation may show symptoms or signs that may spread and be seen inside the whole machine and destroy it. The case of the Pacific small-island states perfectly showcases this “small but terrible” metaphor. Indeed, a perfect ambassador representing “the others” and possibly a perfect hermit coming from an isolated place far away warning us of our follies and impending doom.  

How do we deal then with “the others” that includes these Pacific small-island states, if not through magnitude? Such question, I believe, is something for the powerful states and developed countries to ponder on. The question is also a moral one, something that a realist would disregard for its intangibility and something that a pragmatist would not necessarily put in a pedestal. We must proceed to being inclusive for these “others”. We must ensure that all actors in all sectors, may it be economic, financial, socio-cultural, or political, are involved. A framework that not only focuses on climate relocations²² but on giving them a chance to thrive where they belong and where they want to be. 

Actions can still be provided. I believe the next step no longer relies only on the theoretical but heavily on the practical as well. Political will amongst state actors, especially the powerful ones, is needed. A will that explicitly emphasize sustainable development as well as human security. If we are to dissect further the insignificance that ironically provides their value, it just focuses on their territory with its use for their strategic purposes and not on the people directly. But this goes with another pressing reality that most of the problems experienced by these small-island states are directly affecting their population. An emphasis towards sustainability and human security would call for the reversal of the effects of global warming and climate change. If it would come into fruition, it would alleviate the negative situation of the people living in those states, specifically the sinking of their land. 

We should also be aware of current international trends that will be factors towards this endeavor. The return of Donald Trump as the leader of the most powerful country in the world,²³ the continuous challenge to the hegemony of the US by other powerful states, the rise of right-wing politics and their social influence, as well as the conditions of international organizations as the standard bearer of liberalism are some of the things we need to ponder on in terms of their implications on dealing with “the others” appropriately. Furthermore, we should also be observant with the domestic and foreign affairs of powerful and developed states. Whatever occurs in their formulation and pursuit of foreign policy would have an effect for the small, developing, and least developed ones. Call me a daydreamer, but they hopefully disprove the logic of the realists about our world if we are to stand for “the others” and the Pacific small-island states. 

This overall, is the explanation and lesson the small-island states in the Pacific provide to us. They exhibit a disaster that not only them and their fellow “others” are bound to suffer under but the whole world as well. At the same time, it also shows how the international community deals with the downtrodden and its habit of focusing on magnitudes. In the end, the small things are essentially the big things. And how we treat these far-flung neighbors of ours across the Pacific Ocean would spell our future together.

About the Author 

John Louis B. Benito, LPT, MA is a lecturer at the Department of International Studies of De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. He earned his MA degree in International Studies, major in European Studies from the same university. His research interests and publications include International Migration, Critical Security, and Sustainable Development. He aims to contribute knowledge and directions in the academe and policy making circles about international relations and international affairs well into the future.  

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