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Post script: I've just received data on candidate party affiliations. People don't vote along party lines in Solomons, but parties can serve as vehicles of patronage, and loose building blocks of allegiance in parliament. After the 2010 election, a new law was passed designed to strengthen parties by making it harder to change party affiliations. In the 2014 election this law had the unintended consequence of prompting 31 of the 47 sitting members who contested in that election to stand as independents, so they could have more freedom to switch sides during government formation after the election. I'm not aware of any subsequent changes to party law since 2014. As such, I was expecting most sitting members to stand as independents again. But this isn't the case: only 13 of the 48 sitting members contesting their seats are standing as independents this time round. Most sitting MPs are at least nominally affiliated with parties. The two biggest parties in terms of sitting members are: SIDP - with 13 sitting members and 22 candidates in total. Kadere party - with 8 sitting members and 13 candidates in total. The biggest party in terms of total candidates is the United Party (29 candidates, no sitting members). I'm still confident that voters won't start voting along party lines this election. But parties look like they will have more impact on post election negotiations to form government than was the case in 2014.

Today, if they cannot yet offer free education for all, they must develop a formula in which parents and the state allocate costs. Parents must pay what they can afford, and the state fills the rest. This formula may include private sector contributions to subsidize the scheme through corporate scholarships. Only parents who cannot afford to pay for tuition should be exempted from paying for something.

Thanks Daniel, good article, we are just planning a trip to get back there and record a follow up piece to 'Ripples in Rennell' . How far will these Ripples Reach?

Interesting and though provoking read. In my opinion, companies will never achieve shared value while focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR is virtually impossible to separate from philanthropy - the idea that we have loads and we should give because it's a good thing to do. For companies to bring fundamental local improvements, they really need to understand that it is in their best interest; they need to understand the business case. Shared Value is a step in this process, but I still think it's not far enough. I think we need to start talking about Shared Purpose - what are we trying to do together? That gets the company away from saying, "oh we built some schools and therefore we've created value." With Shared Purpose, the company needs to start with the community and understand both what they want and what they need, and then understand how that dovetails with their own business' capabilities.

I recommend that real actions should be taken, like 'me too' but different focus. set up a forum and let female staff discuss the discrimination and bias they might have been experiencing at works, for real.

Much thanks Jaap, Harris, Sam, Heartly, Jorge and Morris for your kind words. I need to include an addendum. After I wrote the piece - and over a month since the 'Solomon Trader' ran aground - the Prime Minister issued the following statement: https://cdn.fbsbx.com/v/t59.2708-21/51985963_2271365406516388_3769174461866049536_n.pdf/PM-STATEMENT-ON-RENNELL-SHIP-WRECK-AND-RELATED-ISSUES-190307.pdf?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=cdn.fbsbx.com&oh=cd7e38547beeb1453e57faebf44bd635&oe=5C87FDC1&dl=1

Think about this: It took 20 years for the Internet to TOTALLY transform the global economy, technology and how the majority of humans behave. That paradigm shift was NOT government led. It was led by an overwhelming desire for individuals to belong. Now that we are all connected, the next paradigm shift should occur faster. That change again needs to affect all human behaviour, technological development and the global economy. That change will result in humankind’s survival or extinction. Climate change is the trigger.

I take my hat out to Daniel Evans, someone with deep understanding of Solomon Islands system. You danger baka!

This may have been true in the past but the student writers of this Blog have been supported by Ms Vivian Yu the DFAT financial adviser to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, who has attended the class to clarify understanding of the financial system, which undoubtedly has its problems but is being tightened up. Thank you Vivian.

This sums it all..Thank you Daniel Evans. Guess it takes people like you to paint the reality of things. Awesome Job.

Very informative piece on Solomon Islands politics and the matter of oil spill in Rennell Island. For sure all the elected leaders (MPs) and the PM are slumbering.

Hi professor, I am a current student studying your CRWF 8000. I have thought the question of democracy in China for a long time, but have less chance to dicuss in China because of its sensitivity. Now I am so happy to see lots of rational opinions and please to share my ideas. A large number of original Singaporean came from China, which means the cultures are quite similar between two countries, so it is a good reference to research feasibility of institution. But I want to present another case-democracy in The Republic of China (1912-1949). During this period, the president, Sun Yat-sen, bravely initiated democracy reform according his previous experiences in The United States. However, the result seems insignificant. The commons still called him-"my lord", and thought him is a new emperor; Many people did't even know why they vote or whom to vote. China is a huge country with a much long history, with the traditional culture deeply underpining Chinese. It only costs less than 50 years to become a modern country, while 50 years is far less to significantly affect Chinese culture which exists for up to 5000 years. What I want to say is that democracy is still distant for Chinese people based on their knowlege and cognitive level, at least in the near future. If we force to initiate democratic reform, we cannot imagine what chaos would happen in this country where there are enormous area, resources and population, regardless to say economic growth.