In dealing with the question of a future system
for governance in Solomon Islands, two
options have been put on the table: patch up
the existing system or convert the existing
provinces into states under a federal system. I
question whether the public has had a chance
to discuss a third option—that is, more
effective use of local governance—and point
to the variety of informal governance
structures that rural communities have formed
to fulfil their needs in the absence of effective
government. I argue that better articulation of
these kinds of organisations with the state
may do more for development through broadbased
participation than federalising
