Meanwhile, the territory and its Kanaks stand to do well from a further 15 years of French spending: more schools, more housing, more television sets.

ECONOMIST: New Caledonia

Another is whether the Kanaks stay wedded to subsidies.

ECONOMIST: New Caledonia

As a result, it may be that the young Kanaks voting in the referendum in 2014 will be more concerned about preserving a European way of life than advancing a seemingly anachronistic political cause.

ECONOMIST: New Caledonia