Social policies in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu / Biman Chand Prasad and Paul Kausimae.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Prasad, Biman C.

Contributor:

Kausimae, Paul.

Series:

Social policies in small states series ; 7.

Social policies in small states series ; 7

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social policy.

Solomon Islands--Social policy.

Solomon Islands.

Vanuatu--Social policy.

Vanuatu.

Physical Description:

xii, 82 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London : Publications Section, Commonwealth Secretariat : United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, [2012]

Summary:

The country case studies and thematic papers in this series examine social policy issues facing small states and their implications for economic development. They show how, despite their inherent vulnerability, some small states have indicators because of the complementary social and economic policies they have implemented.

Case Study - Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are two small states that have struggled to develop successful social policies since gaining independence. This final study in the series traces the history of social development in both countries, examining closely the factors that have hindered progress: the colonial legacy, poor economic development; high population growth, political instability, the lack of social cohesion, mismanagement of resources and natural disasters. The authors argue that for progress to continue both countries need to move away from a reliance on their traditional social structures and focus on political stability and economic growth. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Political Economy of Social Policies 1

2 Solomon Islands 6

2.1 Introduction 6

2.2 Economic performance and general development strategies 7

2.3 The traditional social system 12

2.4 Government and politics 15

2.4.1 Development in the pre-independence period 15

2.4.2 Post-independence political developments 16

2.5 Financial institutions 18

2.5.1 Central Bank of Solomon Islands 18

2.5.2 Commercial banks 19

2.5.3 Development Bank of Solomon Islands 19

2.5.4 Home Finance Corporation 19

2.5.5 Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands 19

2.6 Social situation 20

2.6.1 Education 20

2.6.2 Health 26

2.6.3 Poverty 29

2.6.4 Crime 31

2.6.5 Labour force 31

2.7 Social policies 35

2.7.1 Education 37

2.7.2 Health 37

2.7.3 Solomon Islands National Provident Fund 39

2.8 Other factors affecting social development 40

2.8.1 Cyclone Namu 40

2.8.2 Ethnic tension 40

3 Vanuatu 42

3.1 Introduction 42

3.2 Economic performance and general development strategies 42

3.3 The traditional social system 49

3.4 System of government 50

3.5 Financial institutions 52

3.5.1 Reserve Bank of Vanuatu 52

3.5.2 Commercial banks 53

3.5.3 Development Bank of Vanuatu 53

3.5.4 Vanuatu National Provident Fund 53

3.6 Social situation 54

3.6.1 Education 55

3.6.2 Health 56

3.6.3 Crime 58

3.6.4 Labour force 59

3.7 Social policies 59

3.7.1 Health 59

3.7.2 Education 62

3.8 Response to crisis 54

3.8.1 The 1998 crisis 64

4 Social Development Indicators and the MDGs in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu 65

5 Conclusion 69

6 Postscript 71

6.1 Economic trends 71

6.2 Social indicators 72

6.2.1 Solomon Islands 72

6.2.2 Vanuatu 73.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 75-82).

ISBN:

1849290830

9781849290838

OCLC:

793166932