Politics of the Federated Polynesian States

The Federated Polynesian States are an unusual mix of authoritarianism and democracy, with an absolute monarch and a partially elected parliament.

Government operates on two levels. At a local level, traditional ahiki (chiefs) retain customary authority over villages and sometimes entire small islands, although they are traditionally bound to consult with village Elders in order to base their decisions on a form of consensus. They are perceived more as mediators than as autocrats.

On a Federal level, power rests with the monarch and the Council of Chiefs (Fono o Ahiki). The monarchy was established in 1824, with the proclamation of the country's sovereignty. In theory, the monarch has absolute power, but in practice he or she is curtailed by tradition, which emphasises respect and submission to one's elders, and by the emphasis on peaceful consensus. Hence the young queen must in reality consider the voices of the Elders on the Fono, as well as the Elders in her own home village of Va'ahokai.

The Council of Chiefs comprises fifty-eight members, of which thirty-seven hereditary ahiki and twenty-one elected members. The latter consist in seven members elected on a national basis, and one elected by each of the Federation's fourteen States. The Council has only an advisory role in theory, but in practice the monarch and the Council do their utmost to minimise any disagreement between themselves.

There are no political parties. Party politics are perceived as divisive, and contrary to the prevailing philosophy of unity and consensus.