Originally Posted by ksryder

It's a metaphor. How do the chains (of capitalism) affect the Solomon Islands (SI)? OP is trying to start a discussion regarding how the economic imperialism of western nations contributed to the widespread economic, political and social instability experienced by many former colonial possession upon gaining Independence, which is illustrated by the ethnic violence between the Guales and Malaitans in the late 1990s, and how modern day expansion of Chinese business interests continues to contribute to the instability in the region.

When OP refers to splitting the chain, and then shortening it, he is referring to the frequent need for deployment of Australian and New Zealand troops to the region to quell simmering ethnic tensions. Yes, it solves the immediate problem, but fails to address the underlying conditions leading to the problems in the first place.