Papua New Guinea is a country of great diversity. With over seven hundred languages, as many cultures, diverse physical types, and a landmass encompassing coral reef, mangrove swamp, rain forest, mountain ranges, and extensive river systems, Papua New Guinea has long attracted the interest of scientists and others seeking to understand or control some part of its rich diversity. Discovering order in this diversity is not easy. This collection offers perspective and understanding into Papua New Guinea's varied social scene and the challenging political and economic realities of a recently independent country. The twenty contributors to this volume bring their perspective in one of four areas: The State and National Identity, Economic Development, The New Society, and The People's Welfare. The book is written for upper division and graduate-level courses on Papua New Guinea or the contemporary Pacific. It is also useful for specialists in Third World development who do not know much about Papua New Guinea, and as a reference work for Papua New Guinea specialists.