Conflicts in the Southwest Pacific: The relevance of new security perspectives

Abstract

In recent years the two major conflicts affecting the island countries of the Southwest Pacific have been in Bougainville and Solomon Islands. After reviewing the ways in which these conflicts have developed, this article asks whether any of the new perspectives in security studies are relevant to these situations. The broadening in scope suggested by terms such as ‘comprehensive security’ and ‘human security’ is helpful in this respect. Some of the insights from more particular approaches such as the ‘new wars’ thesis and the literature relating to the role of economic factors in civil wars are useful. The concept of state failure is helpful for understanding the situation that has develope..