TONGAS PRODEMOCRACY MOVEMENT

The recent political unrest in Tonga led by supporters of what has been termed ''the pro-democracy movement'' has had a long social genesis that began last century with the dismantling of the former system of chieftainship and the establishment of a landed nobility. Since then, the nobles' links with the people and chiefly tradition have attenuated, and their powers of patronage have diminished because of their decreased control of land. The Tongan government is a constitutional monarchy but one that is ruled the king assisted by his personally appointed cabinet ministers and the nobles' representatives in parliament. Commoners have become increasingly prominent through educational and business prowess, but they have minority representation in government. The last three general elections in Tonga, in 1987, 1990, and 1993, show support for political reform but resistance to the sudden imposition of full democracy in Tonga. Leaders of the noble ''establishment'' say that commoners already participate in government and to give thein greater power could set the stage for a Communist or totalitarian regime. Most commoners do not understand democracy and fear that it could detract from the dignity of the monarchy. The pro-democracy group continues to educate the commoners regarding their constitutional rights, fight against corruption among government members, and seeks to curb the increasing power of the king and secure greater commoner representation in government.