Failed nation-states occur in the Asia/Pacific region because insufficient account is given to socio-political difference in world-views held by Indigenous peoples and the political systems left as a legacy by western colonisers. Indigenous peoples express their world-view in long-held traditions, myths, art and music. Western understanding of political order is couched in ideas drawn from western philosophy. Myth, although a genuine body of knowledge, is not always acknowledged. This Paper examines common ground between myth and philosophy to come to an understanding political order. Topics explored are: the Chinese cultural diffusion in the Asia /Pacific region, universal veneration for ancestors, negativity generated by assigning Indigenous peoples' world-view under various names and the problem of animism. The final question: To what extent do development policies and strategies recognise Indigenous peoples' identity as an important part of the equation to achieve political stability?

My academic career began as a teacher and continued at TAFE later working at the Open learning institute. I teach, tutor and write Distance learning Modules for the adult Preparation Course. My research interest is applying my research from my PhD (history and philosophy) to research in political science looking at the problem of indigenous peoples in relation to political stability in the Asia pacific region. I work with the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict in the Political Science and International Relations at the University of Queensland. My research interests are in the Pacific area Malaysia, PNG, Solomon Islands and East Timor.