The return of the natives: Globalization and negative ties

The Polynesian island of Rarotonga in the South Pacific Ocean is currently in the midst of an artistic explosion. Using a combination of ethnographic and network data, this paper examines the social structure of artists on the island and finds that it contains elements of both support and hostility. The hostility is mostly engendered by the clique of neo-traditionalist intellectuals who, although of Cook Islands ancestry, have been raised and educated abroad and have returned to the islands bringing with them a new conception of indigenous culture, political power and rights. The particular network structure on the island, however, facilitates the constant interaction of this group with others so that both positive and negative ties remain constantly activated. Acting as scapegoats and prods to each other – as well as supportive members of an art world – the artists on the island have built a network structure which facilitates a hothouse innovative environment. This lends support to the further conclusion that creativity and innovation are enhanced by social structures surrounding the creators.