The Colonial State in the Mandated Territory of Papua and Niugini from 1884 to 1975: Features of Paternalistic Policy

Introduction 

The colonial state in the Mandated Territory of Papua and Niugini from 1884 to 1975 was characterized by paternalistic policies. These policies were implemented by the Australian government, which administered the territory from 1906 to 1975. In this blog post, we will discuss the features of paternalistic policy in the colonial state.

 Definition of Paternalistic Policy

Paternalistic policy refers to a type of governance in which the government assumes the role of a father figure, taking care of its subjects' needs and interests. This type of policy is often associated with colonialism, where the colonizing power assumes the responsibility of providing for the colonized people

Features of Paternalistic Policy in the Colonial State

The following are some of the features of paternalistic policy in the colonial state:

Assimilation 

The colonial government aimed to assimilate the indigenous people into the dominant culture. This was done through the imposition of Western education, religion, and values. The government believed that the indigenous people would be better off if they adopted Western ways of life.

 Control

 The colonial government exercised strict control over the lives of the indigenous people. This was done through the imposition of laws and regulations that restricted their movements, economic activities, and social interactions. The government believed that this was necessary to maintain law and order in the territory.

 Protection

 The colonial government assumed the responsibility of protecting the indigenous people from harm. This was done through the establishment of police forces and the imposition of laws that aimed to protect the indigenous people from exploitation and abuse.

Development

The colonial government aimed to develop the territory economically and socially. This was done through the establishment of infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals. The government believed that this would improve the lives of the indigenous people and make them more productive.

 Impact of Paternalistic Policy

The impact of paternalistic policy on the indigenous people was mixed. On the one hand, the policy provided some benefits such as access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure. However, access was limited to where the white settlers were located and mostly around administrative centers around the mandated territory. 

On the other hand, the policy also had negative consequences such as the loss of cultural identity, the restriction of economic activities, and the erosion of traditional social structures.

In conclusion, paternalistic policy was a defining feature of the colonial state in the Mandated Territory of Papua and Niugini from 1884 to 1975. The policy aimed to assimilate, control, protect, and develop the indigenous people. While the policy provided some benefits, it also had negative consequences. Understanding the features and impact of paternalistic policy is crucial in understanding the history and development of Papua New Guinea.

In the next blog we will look into specific social, political and ideological arguments of the paternalistic colonial policy 

Citations:

[1] https://www.academia.edu/66162116/Factors_Influencing_Papua_New_Guinea_s_Foreign_Policy_in_the_Twenty_First_Century

[2] https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/series/pacific/state-society-papua-new-guinea-2001%E2%80%932021

[3] https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/state-and-society-papua-new-guinea

[4] https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/156980/1/PhD%20Thesis%20-%20Philip%20Mitna%202019.pdf

[5] https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3338&context=uclrev

[6] https://ndl.ethernet.edu.et/bitstream/123456789/2657/1/40.pdf.pdf