Navigating the labyrinth: polycentricity, power, and the evolving scope of international development cooperation—a critical review through the Fiji-South Korea nexus

Abstract

The global landscape of international development cooperation has shifted from a hierarchical donor–recipient paradigm to a polycentric system shaped by diverse state and non-state actors. This study critically examines this transformation through the Fiji–South Korea partnership, asking: How has international development cooperation evolved from a donor-driven, state-centric model to a polycentric system, and what does the Fiji–South Korea nexus reveal about its opportunities, challenges, and power dynamics? The research applies a systematic literature review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 framework, combined with bibliometric mapping of international development cooperation scholarship from Scopus and Web of Science, and a qualitative case study of Korea’s engagement in Fiji. Findings reveal that although South Korea contributes less than 9% of Fiji’s official development assistance, its position is distinctive as the only country to transition from a major aid recipient to a recognized donor nation. Korea’s approach prioritizes climate-smart agriculture, digital governance, renewable energy, and knowledge transfer through the Saemaul Undong model, emphasizing capacity-building over large-scale infrastructure. Fiji, in turn, strategically leverages this relationship within a diversified donor network that includes Australia, the United States, and China, enabling it to safeguard sovereignty while addressing pressing development priorities. Theoretically, this study contributes to the literature on polycentric governance by demonstrating how “middle-power” donors and SIDS co-construct development norms outside the traditional OECD-DAC hegemony. The study demonstrates that polycentric international development cooperation creates both opportunities and risks: it enhances choice, resilience, and innovation, yet also fragments norms and increases coordination costs. By situating Fiji’s agency within this evolving system, the paper advances debates on polycentric governance and provides lessons for Small Island Developing States navigating an increasingly competitive development environment.