Between rhetoric- and reality: A retrospective look at national development policy and planning in Solomon Islands in the 1980s and 90s

Abstract

When Solomon Islands gained political independence from Great Britain in 1978, the majority of Solomon Islanders believed that this provided an opportunity to work towards the creation of a prosperous society. They also believed that central government and national leaders could, and should, take primary responsibility for social and economic development. At the same time, it was clear to the new government from the beginning that participation of indigenous Solomon Islanders in the private sector was critical for social and economic development. This paper examines the process of national development policy and planning in the 1980s and 90s in the Solomon Islands, showing how the initial optimism, fuelled by political rhetoric, became tempered over time as awareness of the realities of the Solomon Islands context increased and as this awareness began to be reflected in more realistic planning and planning forecasts.