| Abstract: | Abstract: This article provides an overview of growing conflict in Oceania and considers some of the broad attempts to explain it. It critically outlines the nature of the post‐colonial transformation of the region and considers the influence of this on patterns of instability. It concludes that the region exhibits an unprecedented vulnerability in politico‐economic, social and environmental terms and that useful interpretations of this must involve attention to local contingency as well as broad structural/historical change. This context is used to introduce the contributions to this special edition on postcolonial transformations and political conflict in Oceania. |
