Power distortions, marginalised youth and the impact of natural resource led development: the case of the Solomon Islands

Abstract

The Solomon Islands, a nation rich in natural resources with a large and rapidly expanding youth population, has recently experienced severe social unrest predicated upon ethnic rivalry and property rights. In the actual fighting during the 'tensions' on both sides, the Isatabu Freedom Movement and the Malaita Eagle Force youth provided leadership and fighters. As youth numbers grow and educational outcomes decline their livelihood prospects are severely impacted in the nation. These outcomes could be viewed as social manifestations catalysed by a type of 'resource curse', which has been widely researched. However, much of this literature is macroeconomic in character and does not deal with the socioeconomic dynamics involved. In this thesis these dynamics are analysed in detail by examining the experiences of a youth cohort in the capital city of Honiara. It is there that youths are impacted in the greatest number and