On Analogies: Rethinking the Pacific in a Global Context

meeting of the European Society of Oceanists in Vienna, Austria.Let us imagine a small but significant number of European-that is, Europe-based-scholars earnestly at work on Pacific topics in scattered, isolated locations on that turbulent continent.There is a certain exoticness to that image, and a pathos with which I, at least, can identify, having myself spent many years studying the Pacific away from the Pacific.In a funny way, the very existence of a "European Society for Oceanists" mirrors the enduring image of the Pacific region as being constituted by small, scattered, isolated islands-despite Epeli Hau'ofa's best efforts (Hau'ofa 1993).In my imagination these Europe-based scholars are surrounded by colleagues examining national and domestic issues, European Union developments, nato politics, events in the transition states of the former Soviet Union, peacekeeping and reconstruction in the Balkans, the resurgence of right-wing political parties, or, as the occasion may call for, the legacy of philosophers like Karl Popper and the challenges of housing in the twentyfirst century.Some of their colleagues probably work on European aid policy in Africa or European trade with Asia and North America.It would make sense, since those are all pressing and relevant concerns in their national and regional contexts.But I wonder how Europeans studying the Pacific stay motivated?How they feel justified in studying distant islands, when so many things are happening at home and closer to home that demand their attention and command research funds?I wonder how their colleagues view their research and whether they accord it an equality of knowledge?