Development Education and Social Stratification in Fiji

Abstract

The transformation of Pacific Island societies into modern nation states necessarily involves change from a subsistence economy to an industrial mode of production. Development education will play an important role in the success or failure of efforts to industrialize in the training of an indigenous group of business managers and bureaucrats. These individuals must be given a practical understanding of western economics and organizational forms which may be adapted to the needs of their societies and serve in turn to instruct others. The knowledge that they gain often will be applied in traditional cultural contexts that require careful assessment and consideration. In particular, existing social hierarchies may be threatened by change and become a hindrance to knowledge transfer, thus diminishing the chances for carrying out successful development efforts.