Active citizenship or passive clientelism? Accountability and development in Solomon Islands

Abstract

Active citizenship and participatory community-development approaches have evolved partly in response to perceived aid-dependency among rural communities. In Solomon Islands these methods have met with mixed success. This article reflects on the frustration often felt by local and international development workers when working with rural communities. It questions some of the assumptions that shape the way in which development workers and programmes understand the types of community which make up Solomon Islands.

Keywords:

• Civil Society
• Oceania and Japan

Acknowledgements

This article draws on several years' experience working in Solomon Islands as an NGO programme manager, consultant, and anthropological researcher. Two short research visits were undertaken in 2006 and 2007 with the support of the Australian Research Council through the University of Melbourne. Martha Macintyre and Nick Bainton provided valuable feedback on an earlier draft, as did Simon Foale, whom I must thank for his encouragement. Debra McDougall also provided very valuable advice. The Solomon Islanders quoted in the text have been given pseudonyms to protect their identities, so I cannot thank them by name, but I am very grateful for their candour and thoughtful reflection.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Cox

John Cox has worked in Solomon Islands as NGO programme manager, consultant, and research anthropologist. He is currently a doctoral student at the University of Melbourne, working on money, governance, and religion in contemporary Melanesia.