American Samoa: A study of possibilities of economic development in an underdeveloped area under American administration

Of all American overseas territories, Samoa is by far the smallest and in many respects the least known. From an economic point of view, it is one of the most primitive areas under American administration. In these days numerous technical assistance programs are preponderantly financed through American funds and more often than not organized and staffed by Americans, but often meet with extreme difficulties in foreign lands. Therefore, this American territory should lend itself to the display of such endeavors. However, at the present time this is not the case. Samoa is suffering from severe over-population and an inadequately productive economy. The American taxpayer is subsidizing Samoans at a growing rate and there are no resources sufficiently developed which can produce a measure of local revenue to support the necessary services. While there seems to be a shortage of usable land, there is a sizeable industrial potential including abundant electric power and a supply of relatively skilled labor. Since there is such an economic "base" available, an economic development program can, in the author's opinion, be worked out which should have as its aim self-sufficiency, a satisfactory standard of living, and the least possible subsidy from American taxpayers. It is the purpose of this paper to point out possible ways and means to achieve these aims.