Authority and Egalitarianism: Discourses of Leadership on Nukulaelae Atoll

Polynesian societies are commonly represented in traditional anthropological depictions as founded on highly visible systems of hierarchy and stratification. Nukulaelae discourse on political action is dominated by two ideological undercurrents, each of which calls for distinct social action. On the one hand, Nukulaelae people express the need for a strong authority structure for their community; on the other, they maintain a strongly egalitarian ideology, at least among members of the same age and gender group. The Nukulaelae community therefore faced the task of constructing a common culture despite heterogeneous identities. All one can say today is that it was achieved with a great deal of efficiency, as contemporary Nukulaelae society and culture retain no trace of their eclectic origins. The return to a 'traditional' authority structure was strategically timed. Nukulaelae people of all ages and both gender groups frequently voice the belief that their community prospered when it was ruled with an iron fist.