Greed and Grievance: Ex-Militants' Perspectives on the Conflict in Solomon Islands, 1998-2003 (Topics in the Contemporary Pacific)

This work offers important new perspectives on the violence and unrest that gripped Solomon Islands between late 1998 and mid-2003, a period known as the Ethnic Tension. Based on in-depth interviews and documents associated with the "Tension Trials," it is the first detailed account of the conflict that engages directly with the voices of the men who joined the rival militant groups. These contemporary voices are presented against the backdrop of the socioeconomic and cultural history of Solomon Islands. The findings provide a refreshing corrective to the pervasive framing of the Isatabu uprising and the Malaitan response as essentially criminal and apolitical activities driven by the self-interest of those who participated in them. Alternative motives for the men who participated in the Solomons conflict are elucidated, foremost of which are their own conceptions of history and of the places of their respective peoples in the historical processes of colonization, development, and nation-building. Uneven development, relative deprivation and rapid socioeconomic and cultural change are highlighted as salient structural causes of the unrest. This work offers important new perspectives on the violence and unrest that gripped Solomon Islands between late 1998 and mid-2003, a period known as the Ethnic Tension. Based on in-depth interviews and documents associated with the 2Tension Trials,3 it is the first detailed account of the conflict that engages directly with the voices of the men who joined the rival militant groups. These contemporary voices are presented against the backdrop of the socioeconomic and cultural history of Solomon Islands.The findings provide a refreshing corrective to the pervasive framing of the Isatabu uprising and the Malaitan response as essentially criminal and apolitical activities driven by the self-interest of those who participated in them. Alternative motives for the men who participated in the Solomons conflict are elucidated, foremost of which are their own conceptions of history and of the places of their respective peoples in the historical processes of colonization, development, and nation-building. Uneven development, relative deprivation and rapid socioeconomic and cultural change are highlighted as salient structural causes of the unrest Contents From the General Editor Preface Acknowledgments Bibliographic Conventions Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Solomon Islands and the Tension Chapter 3. Kastom, Class, and Colonization Chapter 4. Guadalcanal: The Contested Motherland Chapter 5. Saving the Solomons: The Malaita Eagle Force Chapter 6. Continuities and Symmetries Chapter 7. The State, Resources, Identity, and Conflict Appendix 1. “A Brief History of Ethnic Tension (South Guadalcanal)” Appendix 2. “Guadalcanal Struggle for Freedom: Our History in Brief” Notes References Index Offers important new perspectives on the violence and unrest that gripped the Solomon Islands between late 1998 and mid-2003, a period known as the Ethnic Tension. Based on in-depth interviews and documents associated with the "Tension Trials", it is the first detailed account of the conflict that engages directly with the voices of the men who joined the rival militant groups. Solomon Islands And The Tension -- Kastom, Class, And Colonization -- Guadalcanal: The Contested Motherland -- Saving The Solomons: The Malaita Eagle Force -- Continuities And Symmetries -- The State, Resources, Identity, And Conflict. Matthew G. Allen. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.