Constitution and Institutions in the Republic of Belau

This chapter takes the form of a case study of constitutional and political life in Belau, a tiny Pacific island state, which gained independence as recently as 1994. The case of Belau is indicative of the fact that relations between environment, constitution, and institutions are multifaceted and operate in many directions. The presidential elections in Belau are, however, one of the very few Pacific instances of electoral boundaries that run through the country; if the organization of elections would count, more than most Pacific states, Belau would experience the blessings and shortcomings of nationwide party politics. The data are from the 1988 and 1992 elections to the National Congress of Belau, the Olbiil Era Kelulau, which is divided into the Senate and the House of Delegates. As for the elections to the House of Delegates, there is little variation between electoral districts in the values for the independent variable.