Market Forces
What are the two main market forces that affect prices?
Supply & Demand, Competition & Regulation
Why do many Pacific islands depend on imported goods?
Limited farmland, small economies, lack of factories.
How does the government of Australia function?
Democracy, elected parliament, Prime Minister as leader.
What environmental threat makes Tuvalu’s future uncertain?
Rising sea levels, potential displacement of population.
Why has Fiji experienced multiple military coups?
Ethnic & political tensions between Indigenous Fijians & Indo-Fijians (descendants of Indian laborers brought by the British).
Why do groceries cost more in Samoa than in Australia?
Smaller population, fewer local farms, high import costs.
What are two major exports from Oceania?
Examples: Australia - coal/iron; Papua New Guinea - gold/copper; New Zealand - dairy/wine.
What makes Tonga’s monarchy different from Australia’s government?
King has real power, not just symbolic like the UK’s monarchy.
How has Tuvalu’s government responded to climate change?
Appealed to the UN, created migration plans, Digital Nation Plan.
What is a coup?
Sudden takeover of government, often by military leaders due to instability.
How does geography impact supply and demand in Oceania?
Small land areas, limited resources, reliance on imports, high shipping costs.
Why are shipping costs so high for many Pacific nations?
Islands are far from suppliers, fuel costs, small economies limit bulk trade.
How do governments control industries like fishing, tourism, and mining?
Set regulations to protect resources & economy.
Why are atolls like Tuvalu more vulnerable to climate change than continental islands?
Low elevation, no mountains, lack of freshwater sources.
What challenges do many island nations face when importing goods?
High costs, weather disruptions, reliance on foreign economies.
What is one way the government can influence the market in Oceania?
Taxes, trade policies, industry regulations, price controls.
How does tourism function as an "invisible export"?
Brings in foreign money, creates jobs, boosts local businesses.
Why do small island nations rely on foreign aid?
Limited resources, vulnerable to natural disasters, small economies.
What is Tuvalu’s Digital Nation Plan?
A virtual version of Tuvalu to preserve government & culture if land becomes uninhabitable.
Why do some Tuvaluans not want to relocate, despite climate threats?
Cultural ties, identity, unwillingness to leave homeland.
How do supply chain disruptions, like cyclones, impact island economies?
Delays shipments, increases prices, causes shortages of essentials like food & fuel.
How do trade agreements help Pacific economies?
Lower tariffs, increase market access, improve trade relations with Australia & New Zealand.
How does Samoa’s Matai system govern villages?
Chiefs make decisions based on traditions & consensus, not elections.
How do natural disasters disrupt government functions in Oceania?
Damage to infrastructure, costly recovery efforts, dependence on international aid.
How does military involvement affect governance in Fiji?
Disrupts democracy, increases instability, but sometimes enforces order.