The debate on circular migration in Melanesia has given too little recognition to the temporal and spatial context for this movement and too much attention to descriptions of migration behavior rather than larger processes of change. What is lacking is a broad design theory for Pacific islands migration. This article proposes a model of Melanesian urbanization and associated forms of migration, both permanent and temporary/circular The model describes four stages of urban development, spanning the arrival of capitalism to a futuristic city of the next century. The author links the future of circular migration in Melanesia to the relative strengths of the precapitalist and capitalist modes of production and associated social relations particularly the wantok.
