Declarations of ‘Self‐Reliance’: Alternative Visions of Dependency, Citizenship and Development in Vanuatu

ABSTRACT This article discusses how dependency's antonym, ‘self‐reliance’ expresses and shapes aspirations for development, ideas about citizenship in Vanuatu. ‘keyword’ was popularized the process of decolonization nation‐building Vanuatu, influenced by Dependency Theory, Pan‐Africanism, Black Internationalism, trans‐Pacific visions development. But vernacular also articulate different development at ‘grassroots’ community level, as will be shown two case studies. The first is a with high degree engagement New Zealand's seasonal worker programme. second around cultivation kava — plant relaxant soporific properties burgeoning domestic export markets.