In the first book in his series, Professor Spike Boydell presents a transdisciplinary examination of the complexities of land tenure and property rights, and provides possible solutions for sustainable societies in a developing resource rich region. In focusing in on the Pacific, in particular Melanesia, Boydell explores how we arrived at the land tenure systems that currently operate in the region, how they have changed and adapted over time, and the challenges of operating in a global market where the dollar and capitalism is often in conflict with tradition and communal values. The book engages with sociology, geography, law, economics, history as well as land-use planning, real estate, agriculture, natural resource development, urbanisation and poverty.