Mauritius: Paradise Reconsidered

-!52)4)53 0!2!$)3% 2%#/.3)$%2%$ 2OUKAYA +ASENALLY

2OUKAYA +ASENALLY IS SENIOR LECTURER IN MEDIA AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF -AURITIUS AS WELL AS COFOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE )NSTITUTE OF 3OCIAL $EVELOPMENT AND 0EACE &ROM /CTOBER  THROUGH &EBRUARY  SHE WAS A 2EAGAN &ASCELL $EMOCRACY &ELLOW AT THE .ATIONAL %NDOWMENT FOR $EMOCRACY IN 7ASHINGTON $#

!CCORDING TO ALL THE STANDARD INDICATORS THE TINY ISLAND REPUBLIC OF

-AURITIUS IN THE )NDIAN /CEAN OFFERS A COMBINATION OF ECONOMIC PER FORMANCE AND DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL STABILITY THAT SHOULD MAKE IT THE ENVY OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD )NDEED 3TEVEN 2ADELET HAS HAILED -AU RITIUS IN A RECENT BOOKàAND IN THESE PAGESàAS ONE OF !FRICAÛS IM PORTANT NEW ÜEMERGING SUCCESS STORIESÝ 7ITH AN AVERAGE &REEDOM (OUSE SCORE OF  &REE AND AN ANNUAL '$0 PER CAPITA OF ALMOST 53  THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE ISLAND HAS FARED WELL DESPITE ITS SMALL SIZE ISOLATED LOCATION AND LACK OF NATURAL RESOURCES )TS CON VIVIAL COSMOPOLITAN ETHOS AND LUSH TROPICAL SCENERY HAVE HELPED TO MAKE IT A SOUGHT AFTER TOURIST DESTINATION !ND ITS CAREFULLY CULTIVATED STATUS AS AN INVESTMENT HUB FOR NEW BUSINESSES HAS GIVEN IT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THAT GO WELL BEYOND THE USUAL POSTCOLONIAL TWO STEP OF ÜIMPORTINGÝ TOURISTS AND THEIR DOLLARS WHILE EXPORTING ONE OR TWO COM MODITIES IN THIS CASE SUGAR  9ET -AURITIUSàWHICH HAS NO INDIGENOUS POPULATIONàIS FAR FROM A TYPICAL !FRICAN COUNTRY AND THE SUCCESS STORY BEHIND WHAT IS SOMETIMES CALLED THE Ü-AURITIAN MIRACLEÝ ADMITS OF TROUBLING SHADINGS THAT SUG GEST THE THREATS LYING IN WAIT TO UNDERMINE THE BEST -AURITIAN TRADITIONS OF PLURALISM AND EQUITY 4HE ISLANDÛS LACK OF A SINGLE OVERWHELMINGLY DOMINANT ETHNOCOMMUNAL GROUP AND ITS SUAVE MANAGEMENT OF DIVERSI TYàALONG WITH A FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE BALLOT OVER THE BULLETàHELP TO EXPLAIN ITS STABLE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS HIGH LEVEL OF FREEDOM AND KNACK FOR AVOIDING THE KINDS OF PROBLEMS THAT HAVE PLAGUED MANY !F RICAN COUNTRIES SINCE COLONIALISM RECEDED A HALF CENTURY AGO 9ET COM *OURNAL OF $EMOCRACY 6OLUME  .UMBER  !PRIL  r  .ATIONAL %NDOWMENT FOR $EMOCRACY AND 4HE *OHNS (OPKINS 5NIVERSITY 0RESS

2OUKAYA +ASENALLY



PLACENCY ABOUT THESE ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE THREATS TO THEM OR THE BELIEF THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH ALONE CAN FORM A SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARD REPRESENT SERIOUS HAZARDS TO THE -AURITIAN EXPERIMENT IN SELF GOVERNMENT 4HE TRUTH IS THAT ALL IS NOT WELL IN PARADISE AND THE CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED BUT MUST BE BUILT UP AND CARED FOR ,EADERS MUST BE CLEAR ABOUT THESE THINGS 0ERHAPS BEST KNOWN AS THE HOME OF THE FLIGHTLESS AND LONG EXTINCT DODO BIRD -AURITIUS GAINED ADDITIONAL NOTICE TOWARD THE END OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY FROM -ARK 4WAINÛS DEPICTION OF ITS ÜVIVID GREENSÝ AND ÜGRACEFUL TALL PALMSÝ IN HIS  TRAVELOGUE &OLLOWING THE %QUATOR ! *OURNEY !ROUND THE 7ORLD 4HE HISTORY OF -AURITIUS AS AN OUTPOST OF 7EST %UROPEAN COLONIALISM BEGAN IN  WHEN THE 0ORTUGUESE ESTAB LISHED A TEMPORARY BASE THERE ! $UTCH FLEET THAT HAD BEEN BLOWN OFF COURSE BY A STORM MADE LANDFALL IN  !LTHOUGH THERE WOULD BE NO REGULAR $UTCH SETTLEMENT FOR ANOTHER FORTY YEARS AND EVEN THAT WOULD BE ABANDONED IN  THE $UTCH GAVE THE ISLAND ITS CURRENT NAME TO HONOR 0RINCE -AURICE OF .ASSAU 4HE &RENCH HELD THE ISLAND FROM  TO  WHEN THEY LOST IT TO THE "RITISH DURING THE .APOLEONIC 7ARS 9ET &RENCH LANDOWNERS WOULD CONTINUE TO HOLD SWAY UNDER THE 5NION *ACK FOR MOST OF THE CENTURY AND A HALF THAT WOULD ELAPSE BEFORE "RITAIN ACCORDED -AURITIUS ITS INDEPENDENCE AFTER A  REFERENDUM 4HE CONSEQUENCES OF ALMOST THREE AND A HALF CENTURIES OF COLONIAL RULE WERE MULTIPLE "Y THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY WHAT HAD BEEN AN UNIN HABITED ISLAND COVERED WITH EBONY TREES HAD BECOME A MAJOR CENTER FOR GROWING THE ÜWHITE GOLDÝ OF THE EARLY MODERN AGEàCANE SUGAR &RENCH OWNED SUGARCANE PLANTATIONS RAN ON THE LABOR OF !FRICAN SLAVES AND IN DENTURED IMMIGRANTS FROM THE )NDIAN SUBCONTINENT 4HE ISLANDÛS PEOPLE WERE AND ARE A MIXTURE OF GROUPS WHOSE PROPORTIONS AS NAMED IN THE  CENSUS THE LAST TO ASK PEOPLE FOR THEIR ETHNOCOMMUNAL IDENTITIES ARE AS FOLLOWS (INDU  PERCENT #REOLES OF !FRICAN ANCESTRY  PER CENT -USLIMS  PERCENT #HINESE  PERCENT AND &RENCH OR "RITISH  PERCENT  !LTHOUGH THIS MEDLEY OF IDENTITIES CULTURES RELIGIONS AND LANGUAGES IS SEEN AS -AURITIUSÛS MOST CELEBRATED ASSET IT HAS ALSO ACTED AS AN IMPORTANT BARRIER TO THE FORGING OF A UNITARY AND COMMON IDENTITY AS MANY -AURITIANS CONTINUE TO REFER AND RELATE TO THEIR ANCESTRAL HOME LANDS AS THEIR PRIMARY SOURCES OF IDENTITY #OLONIALISM ALSO MADE -AURITIUS THE DOMAIN OF A TINY WHITE ELITE OF LARGE SCALE SUGAR PLANTERS WHO REMAINED UNCHALLENGED UNTIL THE FOUND ING OF THE -AURITIAN ,ABOUR 0ARTY -,0 IN THE MID S 4HE -,0 BEGAN AS A RALLYING POINT FOR )NDO AND !FRO -AURITIANS AND SOON TOOK UP THE CAUSE OF INDEPENDENCE !FTER  WHEN AN AMENDMENT TO THE  #ONSTITUTION GAVE THE VOTE TO ALL ADULTS WHO COULD PASS A SIMPLE LITERACY TEST THE -,0 BECAME NOT ONLY A VEHICLE FOR ADVOCATING INDE PENDENCE BUT ALSO FOR THE RISE TO POLITICAL PREEMINENCE OF THE )NDIAN COMMUNITY WHICH DOMINATES RULING CIRCLES TO THIS DAY



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!S THE ISLAND NEGOTIATED ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM "RITAIN RIOTS ERUPTED BETWEEN (INDUS AND #REOLES WITH THE LATTER FEARING THAT WHAT THEY CALLED Ü(INDU HEGEMONYÝ WOULD BECOME EVEN MORE DEEPLY ENTRENCHED ONCE -AURITIUS BECAME INDEPENDENT 4HE VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE NOT SURPRIS INGLY WAS LESS THAN OVERWHELMINGà PERCENT VOTED NOàAND THE LATE S AND EARLY S SAW A SIGNIFICANT EXODUS TAKE PLACE AS BOURGEOIS #REOLES AND THOSE OF &RENCH OR "RITISH STOCK LEFT FOR !USTRALIA &RANCE 3OUTH !FRICA OR THE 5NITED +INGDOM "RITISH ECONOMIST *AMES -EADE WHO WOULD GO ON TO WIN THE .OBEL 0RIZE IN  PREDICTED IN  THAT -AURITIUS WAS TOO BESET BY OVER POPULATION AND ETHNOCOMMUNAL CONFLICT TO CLIMB THE LADDER TO ÜPEACEFUL DEVELOPMENTÝ 63 .AIPAUL WHO WOULD BECOME THE  .OBEL LAURE ATE IN LITERATURE WROTE AN ESSAY IN THE EARLY S LIKENING -AURITIUS AT THE DAWN OF ITS INDEPENDENCE TO AN ÜOVERCROWDED BARRACOONÝ AND PREDICTING THAT SOCIAL DISASTER WAS BOUND TO ENSUE &ORTUNATELY -AU RITIUS PROVED THESE DIRE FORECASTS WRONG AND EMERGED FROM ITS PERIOD OF POSTCOLONIAL GROWING PAINS WITH A STABLE DEMOCRATIC POLITY AND AN ECONOMY DIVERSIFIED ENOUGH TO BE FREE OF POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RELIANCE ON A SINGLE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY

Crafting the Mauritian Miracle )N -AURITIAN HISTORY TEXTBOOKS 3EEWOOSAGUR 2AMGOOLAM OR 332 ß IS CREDITED AS THE ÜFATHER OF INDEPENDENCEÝ 4HERE IS NO DOUBT THAT UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP AS PRIME MINISTER -AURITIUS WAS ABLE TO NEGO TIATE A NUMBER OF KEY ECONOMIC PROTOCOLS AS WELL AS CARVE OUT SIGNIFICANT POSITIONS IN REGIONAL AND GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE #OMMON WEALTH )NITIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH FREEDOM AND LIBERATION THE 2AMGOOLAM NAME IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY REDOLENT OF DYNASTIC POLITICS 4HE CURRENT PREMIER NOW SERVING HIS THIRD TERM IS 332ÛS  YEAR OLD SON .AVIN ! NUMBER OF WISE CHOICES UNDERLAY -AURITIUSÛS SUCCESS FOLLOWING IN DEPENDENCE 4HESE INCLUDED THE SOUND INVESTMENT IN INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND PARLIAMENTARY INSTITUTIONS THE COMMITMENT TO CONSOCI ATIONAL POLITICS THE CONCERN FOR STABLE MACROECONOMIC POLICY AND COMMIT MENT TO ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION AND THE RESPECT SHOWN TO PRIVATE PROP ERTY INCLUDING THE &RANCO -AURITIANSÛ SUGAR PLANTATIONS  4HE Ü-AURITIAN MIRACLEÝ RESTED ON AN OPEN LIBERALIZED AND DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY AN ABUN DANT SUPPLY OF CHEAP LABOR OPEN FUNCTIONING AND EFFICIENT INSTITUTIONS AND GUARANTEED PRICES FOR CRUCIAL SUGAR AND TEXTILE EXPORTS 0ARTICIPATION IN THE  ,OM² #ONVENTION GAVE -AURITIAN SUGAR ALONG WITH NUMEROUS OTHER EXPORTS FROM POSTCOLONIAL COUNTRIES IN !FRICA THE #ARIBBEAN AND THE 0ACIFIC PREFERENTIAL ACCESS TO %UROPEAN MARKETS 4HE PROCEEDS WERE ENOUGH TO FINANCE A COMPREHENSIVE WELFARE SYSTEM ON THE ISLAND "UT -AURITIAN LEADERS WERE FARSIGHTED ENOUGH TO SEE THAT MONO CROP AGRICULTURE HOWEVER LUCRATIVE FOREIGN SUBSIDIES MIGHT MAKE IT

2OUKAYA +ASENALLY



COULD NEVER OFFER ALL THE BENEFITS OF ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATIONàHENCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE -AURITIAN %XPORT 0ROCESSING :ONE %0: AND ITS AMPLE INCENTIVES NOT LEAST AMONG THEM THE ISLANDÛS ABUNDANCE OF LOW COST SEMI SKILLED LABOR AIMED AT ATTRACTING FOREIGN DIRECT INVEST MENT &ROM MODEST BEGINNINGS WITH CAPITAL COMING MAINLY FROM (ONG +ONG AT FIRST THE %0: HAS GROWN INTO THE BASIS OF A BOOMING EXPORT INDUSTRYàSTAFFED MAINLY BY -AURITIAN WOMENàTHAT FOCUSES ON CLOTH ING AND TEXTILES 4HE LATE S WITNESSED THE INAUGURATION OF A NEW ECONOMIC ERA UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF -AURITIUSÛS SECOND PRIME MINISTER !NEEROOD *UGNAUTH 2EFERRED TO BY HIS FOLLOWERS AS THE ÜFATHER OF THE ECONOMIC BOOM Ý *UGNAUTH FRONTED A NEW DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAM AIMED AT LAUNCH ING A SERVICE SECTOR GEARED TOWARD BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES INFOR MATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND ÜKNOWLEDGE INDUSTRIESÝ "ASED ON FAVORABLE INCENTIVES NOT UNLIKE THOSE THAT FUELED THE RISE OF THE %0: THE GROWING SERVICE SECTOR LED -AURITIUS INTO MORE YEARS OF ECO NOMIC SUCCESS !LONG WITH SUGAR SIMPLE MANUFACTURING AND SERVICES -AURITIUS LIVES OFF TOURISM 4HE ISLANDÛS NATURAL BEAUTY TROPICAL WEATH ER AND NECKLACE OF PROTECTED LAGOONS FILLED WITH LIMPID TURQUOISE HUED WATER MAKE IT A HIGHLY PRIZED VACATION DESTINATION 4HE MARKETING IS DE LIBERATELY UPSCALE 4HERE ARE NO CHARTER FLIGHTS THE HOTELS ARE FIVE STAR AND TOURIST SERVICES IN GENERAL ARE EXCELLENT 4HE SEARCH FOR HIGH END TOURIST DOLLARS HAS PAID OFF AS THE SECTOR ACCOUNTED FOR  PERCENT OF THE ISLANDÛS '$0 IN  )N YET ANOTHER DIVERSIFICATION MOVE THE GOVERNMENT IN  BEGAN ALLOWING APPLICANTS WITH AT LEAST A HALF MILLION 53 DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE FREEHOLD PROPERTY AND PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS 4HE SCHEME HAS MET WITH A MIXED REACTION AS TO SOME IT SEEMS TANTAMOUNT TO THE PARCEL ING OFF OF -AURITIAN LAND TO WEALTHY FOREIGNERS 7HITE 3OUTH !FRICANS HAVE PROVEN PARTICULARLY EAGER CUSTOMERS 2ECENT YEARS HAVE SEEN GROW ING NUMBERS OF THEM BUY ADJOINING PARCELS OF PRIME LAND ALONG THE IS LANDÛS WEST COAST WHERE THEY RECREATE THE SPACES AND PRIVILEGES THAT THEY ENJOYED DURING APARTHEID 4HESE SEGREGATED ENCLAVES ARE THE CAUSE OF GROWING ANIMOSITY AND DISENCHANTMENT AMONG INDIGENOUS -AURITIANS WHO FEEL THAT THEIR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES ARE BEING TRAMPLED UPON TO SATISFY THE WISHES OF A PRIVILEGED FEW 4HE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN THE KEY DRIVER OF DEVELOPMENT AND THE ARCHI TECT OF ECONOMIC SUCCESS YET SUCH SUCCESS DOES NOT OPERATE IN A VACUUM AS THE CASE OF -AURITIUS AMPLY SHOWS %CONOMIC ACTIVITY RELIES UPON A SOUND LEGAL AND POLITICAL FRAMEWORK -AURITIUS HELPED ITSELF IN THIS RE GARD BY TAKING CARE TO INSTITUTE A ROBUST SEPARATION OF POWERS AMONG THE EXECUTIVE JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF ITS GOVERNMENT 5N LIKE MOST !FRICAN COUNTRIES IT ESCHEWED PRESIDENTIALISM AND STUCK WITH THE "RITISH PRACTICE OF A 7ESTMINSTER STYLE CABINET GOVERNMENT LED BY A PRIME MINISTER )N KEEPING WITH THE 7ESTMINSTER MODEL ELECTIONS ARE



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DECIDED BY THE RULE OF ÜFIRST PAST THE POSTÝ )N  -AURITIUS BECAME A REPUBLIC REPLACING THE "RITISH STYLE GOVERNOR WITH A PRESIDENT WHO ACTS PURELY AS HEAD OF STATE AND NOT AS HEAD OF GOVERNMENT )N THE LAST DECADE PROPOSALS TO ADOPT BICAMERALISM AND PRESIDENTIALISM HAVE BEEN AIRED BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY REAL PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF HOW THIS MIGHT ACTUALLY BE ACCOMPLISHED #ONSIDERING THE ISLANDÛS ETHNIC MAKEUP CRITICAL STAKEHOLDERS HAVE LONG AGREED THAT ITS ELECTORAL SYSTEM NEEDS TO ENSURE REPRESENTATION FOR ALL ETHNOCOMMUNAL GROUPS )N ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS -AURITIUS USES SOMETHING CALLED THE ÜBEST LOSERÝ SYSTEM 5NDER THE TERMS OF THIS ODDLY NAMED ARRANGEMENT THE 3UPREME #OURT APPOINTS EIGHT ADDITIONAL MEM BERS OF THE .ATIONAL !SSEMBLY TO AUGMENT THE  ELECTED MEMBERS WITH THE IDEA BEING THAT THE APPOINTED EIGHT WILL BE DRAWN FROM WHICHEVER COMMUNAL GROUPS ARE MOST UNDERREPRESENTED AMONG THE ELECTED !S SEMBLY DELEGATES 4HERE HAVE BEEN NINE GENERAL ELECTIONS SINCE  THE MOST RECENT WAS IN  WITH REGULAR CHANGES OF GOVERNMENT AND ALL HAVE BEEN DEEMED TO BE FREE AND FAIR 5NFORTUNATELY PARTIES HAVE LEARNED HOW TO COALESCE BEFORE ELECTIONS IN WAYS THAT OFTEN TAINT THE UNCERTAINTY WHICH DEMOCRATIC VOTING IS SUPPOSED TO BRING 4HIS TACTIC MOST OFTEN FAVORED BY INCUMBENT PARTIES EAGER TO HANG ON TO POWER HAS BECOME A STAPLE OF -AURITIAN POLITICS

2OUKAYA +ASENALLY



)N  THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED THE RETIRED 3OUTH !FRICAN JUDGE !LBIE 3ACHS TO PREPARE A REPORT ON THE QUESTION OF ELECTORAL RE FORM 3INCE THEN STEPS DESIGNED TO GIVE -AURITIUS A MORE INCLUSIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF DEMOCRACY HAVE BECOME HOT TOPICS FOR DISCUS SION ! CONSENSUS SEEMS TO HAVE FORMED AROUND THE GENERAL IDEA OF IN TRODUCING A GREATER MEASURE OF PROPORTIONALITY INTO THE EXISTING SYSTEM BUT IMPLEMENTATION REMAINS STALLED -AURITIUS IS ALSO UNUSUAL AMONG !FRICAN COUNTRIES IN HAVING A COM PREHENSIVE WELFARE STATE )TS ROOTS GO BACK TO THE -,0ÛS DECISION AT INDEPENDENCE TO INVEST IN THE BUILDING OF SUCH A STATE 4HE AVAILABIL ITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FREE HEALTH CARE AND UNIVERSAL OLD AGE PENSIONS AMONG OTHER BENEFITS HAS PUT SERIOUS UPWARD SOCIAL MOBIL ITY WITHIN REACH FOR A LARGE CROSS SECTION OF THE POPULACE 4HE WELFARE STATEàAND WITH IT THE -AURITIAN MIRACLEàMAY HAVE SURVIVED ITS SE VEREST EXTERNAL TEST IN THE LATE S WHEN THE -AURITIAN GOVERNMENT BRAVELY RESISTED SOME OF THE MORE EXTREME AUSTERITY MEASURES THAT WERE THEN BEING DEMANDED BY THE )-&ÛS 3TRUCTURAL !DJUSTMENT 0ROGRAM #URRENT DEBATES HAVE FOCUSED ON THE PROBLEM OF BUDGET DEFICITS DRIVEN BY SOCIAL SPENDING AND THE NEED TO ADOPT A MORE TARGETED APPROACH TO SOCIAL SERVICE DELIVERY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT ONLY THE MOST VULNERABLE THE NEEDIEST AND THE MOST DESERVING GET ACCESS "UT THE WELFARE STATE REMAINS BROADLY POPULAR AND EFFORTS TO DEFEND IT STILL GENERATE POLITICAL REWARDS

The Miracle in Trouble 4HE STORY OF -AURITIUS SUGGESTS ELOQUENTLY THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY FOSTER AND SUSTAIN DEMOCRACY AND VICE VERSA 9ET THE BOOM YEARS OF THE S AND SàWHEN EMPLOYMENT AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT WERE HIGH AND -AURITIUS JOINED THE RANKS OF MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIESàARE CLEARLY OVER 4HE ENDINGS OF FIRST THE ,OM² #ONVENTION SUGAR EXPORT REGIME AND THEN THE -ULTIFIBRE !GREEMENT  CLOTHING EXPORT QUOTAS HAVE FORCED THE ISLAND TO COMPETE AGAINST CHEAPER SITES OF PRODUCTION SUCH AS "ANGLADESH #HINA AND 3RI ,ANKA 7ITH ECONOMIC DECLINE HAVE COME A NUMBER OF WORRYING SOCIAL TRENDS SUCH AS A RISE IN VIOLENT CRIME DOUBLE DIGIT UNEMPLOYMENT GROWING LEVELS OF POVERTY AND DEPRIVATION AND A GROWING DRUG TRADE TOGETHER WITH INCREASED DRUG ADDICTIONàIN  THE 5. /FFICE ON $RUGS AND #RIME REPORTED THAT -AURITIUS HAS THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA OPIATE CONSUMPTION OF ANY !FRICAN COUNTRY -ATERIAL DEPRIVATION GOES HAND IN HAND WITH GROWING DISPARITIES IN INCOME THAT HAVE MOST DELETERIOUSLY AFFECTED -AURITIANS OF !FRICAN ANCESTRY 4HEY ARE AFFECTED BY WHAT A -AURITIAN #REOLE PRIEST HAS CALLED LE MALAISE CR²OLE  4HE TERM DESCRIBES THE DIM LIFE PROSPECTS THAT BURDEN THIS COMMUNITYÛS MEMBERS WHO MUST CONTEND WITH POOR



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SCHOOLING A LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES SUBSTANDARD HOUSING AND LOW SO CIAL ESTEEM )N  THE MALAISE BURST INTO VIOLENCE WHEN A -AU RITIAN #REOLE 2ASTAFARIAN DIED WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY TOUCHING OFF RIOTS THAT PARALYZED THE ISLAND FOR A WEEK 4HE DISORDER HIGHLIGHTED THE SOCIAL CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC MARGINALIZATION THAT #REOLES SUFFER AND UNDERCUT THE PICTURE OF -AURITIUS AS A ÜMODEL OF A MULTI ETHNIC SOCIETY CHARACTERIZED BY HARMONY AND COMPROMISEÝ  !T WHAT POINT DO INEQUALITIES BECOME SO GRAVE AND STUBBORN THAT DEMOCRACY ITSELF IS THREATENED &OR -AURITIUS THIS QUESTION IS NOT ABSTRACT BUT ALL TOO REAL AND PRESSING 4HE UNDERLYING TENSIONS LIMITATIONS AND CHALLENGES THAT BESET THE PRACTICE OF DEMOCRACY ON THE ISLAND AFFECT KEY INSTITUTIONS AS WELL 4HE ELECTORAL RULE OF ÜFIRST PAST THE POSTÝ IS A LEGACY OF "RITISH COLONIAL RULE 3INCE INDEPENDENCE THIS ELECTION BY PLURALITY RULE HAS SERVED WELL IN ENTRENCHING DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES BY ENSURING STRONG AND STABLE GOV ERNMENTS AND MAINTAINING LINKS BETWEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEIR CON STITUENTS 9ET THERE HAVE BEEN DISTURBINGLY FREQUENT ANOMALIES INVOLVING GROSS ASYMMETRIES BETWEEN VOTE AND SEAT SHARES )NDEED FOUR OF THE SIX GENERAL ELECTIONS HELD BETWEEN  AND  PRODUCED A SITUATION IN WHICH THE WINNING PARTY OR COALITION BAGGED VIRTUALLY ALL THE SEATS ON THE BASIS OF LESS THAN  PERCENT OF THE POPULAR VOTE 3UCH A CONCENTRATION OF POWER IS PLAINLY UNHEALTHY FOR DEMOCRACYàIT MEANS BY DEFINITION THAT ALMOST ALL OPPOSITION IS EXTRAPARLIAMENTARY AND MAY LEAVE HUGE SWATHS OF THE POPULATION DOUBTING WHETHER THEY CAN BE SAID TO LIVE UNDER A SYS TEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AT ALL 4HE 'ENDER 0ROTOCOL ADOPTED BY THE 3OUTHERN !FRICAN $EVELOPMENTAL #OMMUNITY 3!$# RECOMMENDS THAT  PERCENT OF NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SEATS BE OCCUPIED BY WOMEN )N -AURITIUS WHICH IS AN 3!$# MEMBER BUT NOT A SIGNATORY OF THIS PROTOCOL THAT PERCENTAGE STANDS AT A MERE  PERCENT Ü&IRST PAST THE POSTÝ VOTING DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE HELPING THE CAUSE OF FEMALE REPRESENTATION BUT THERE IS LITTLE POLITICAL WILL TO DO ANY THING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHETHER BY LEGAL OR VOLUNTARY QUOTAS 4HE BEST LOSER SYSTEM HAS BECOME A SOURCE OF GREATER CONTROVERSY AND PASSIONATE EXCHANGES 3OME HERALD IT AS A MAINSTAY OF -AURITIAN PLURALISM THAT GIVES THE UNDERREPRESENTED A STAKE IN THE POLITY /TH ERS DECRY THE SYSTEMÛS INSTITUTIONALIZED COMMUNALISM WHICH THEY SAY SPLITS -AURITIAN SOCIETY INTO DISTINCT SELF SEEKING GROUPS AND STIFLES THE GROWTH OF UNITY AND TRUE NATIONAL FEELING #ERTAIN LEADERS OF THE ETHNIC GROUPS FAVORED BY THE SYSTEM #REOLES OF !FRICAN DESCENT AND -USLIMS HAVE BEEN SO VOCAL IN THEIR SUPPORT FOR IT THAT NO POLITICAL LEADER OR PARTY WILL CHALLENGE IT PUBLICLY 4HAT TASK HAS BEEN TAKEN UP INSTEAD BY CERTAIN CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS THAT ASSERT THE SYSTEMÛS ÜUN CONSTITUTIONALITYÝ AND DEMAND ITS ABOLITION /NE GROUP 2EZIZTAZ %K !LTERNATIV HAS WRITTEN OFFICIALLY TO THE 5. (UMAN 2IGHTS #OMMISSION REQUESTING THAT IT TAKE A STAND ON THE MATTER AND MORE RECENTLY HAS

2OUKAYA +ASENALLY



AVAILED ITSELF OF THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED BY THE 5+ 0RIVY #OUNCILÛS HOLDING OF ANNUAL HEARINGS IN -AURITIUS IN ORDER TO BRING A CASE AGAINST THE BEST LOSER SYSTEM BEFORE THAT BODY

The Rise of Ethnosectarianism -AURITIAN POLITICS IS MULTIFACETED TO THE POINT OF BEING PARADOXICAL !T ONE LEVEL THE ISLANDÛS POLITICAL LIFE FEATURES A VERY BROAD BASED AP PROACH TO ENSURING THAT ALL ETHNIC GROUPS ARE INCLUDED IN WHAT ARE TERMED ÜRAINBOW NATION ALLIANCESÝ !T THE SAME TIME HOWEVER ETHNOSECTAR IAN APPEALS TO SUPPORT ÜONEÛS OWN KINDÝ ARE A STAPLE 4HE ROOTS OF THIS SECOND NONINCLUSIVE DIMENSION CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE TIME BEFORE INDEPENDENCE WHEN THE )NDIAN POPULATION BEGAN GROWING /RIGINALLY CONSIDERED AS A SINGLE GROUP )NDO -AURITIANS SUBSEQUENTLY BEGAN TO CLASSIFY THEMSELVES AS -USLIMS 4AMILS OR (INDUSàWITH THE LATTER SORT ING THEMSELVES FURTHER BY CASTE %ARLY ONàAND ESPECIALLY AROUND THE TIME OF INDEPENDENCEàETHNOSECTARIAN POLITICS SEEMED TO MANY TO BE JUST ANOTHER FORM OF CONSOCIATIONALISM 3INCE THEN UNFORTUNATELY ETH NOSECTARIANISM HAS BECOME A FAR MORE INSIDIOUS FORCE WITH GRAVE RAMIFI CATIONS FOR SOCIAL HARMONY ON THIS DIVERSELY PEOPLED ISLAND %THNORELIGIOUS CONSIDERATIONS HAVE A DISTURBING WAY OF COMING TO THE FORE AT ELECTION TIME WHEN CANDIDATES ARE OFTEN CHOSEN MORE FOR THEIR COMMUNAL IDENTITY THAN ON THE BASIS OF THEIR MERITS 4HE POLITICIANS WHO THRIVE IN THIS ENVIRONMENTàTHOSE WHO LEARN TO SURF THE WAVES OF IDENTITY BELONGING AND IN GROUP APPEALSàARE PREDICTABLY NOT THE MOST BROADMINDED OR FARSIGHTED WHEN IT COMES TO PRACTICING THE POLITICS OF DIVERSITY 3OME PARTIES INDEED ARE NOW DRIVEN ALMOST SOLELY BY THIS OR THAT ETHNIC AGENDA WITH LITTLE REGARD FOR CONSENSUS OR INTERGROUP HAR MONY .OT SURPRISINGLY GIVEN THEIR NUMERICAL MAJORITY (INDUS EXERCISE CONSIDERABLE CONTROL AND INFLUENCE IN A NUMBER OF SPHERES 4HE MOST VISIBLE OF THESE IS THAT OF POLITICS 3INCE INDEPENDENCE EVERY PRIME MIN ISTER SAVE ONE HAS BEEN A (INDU OF "IHARI DESCENT FROM THE 6AISH CASTE )NFORMALLY MANY IN THE (INDU COMMUNITY TAKE IT AS AN UNWRITTEN LAW THAT THE PREMIER MUST BE ONE OF THEIR OWN 4HE CRIES OF DISCONTENT WERE LOUD IN  WHEN FOLLOWING AN AGREEMENT MADE BEFORE THE ELECTION THREE YEARS PREVIOUSLY THE PREMIERSHIP WAS PASSED BY A (INDU !NEROOD *UGNAUTH TO HIS &RANCO -AURITIAN COALITION PARTNER 0AUL "²RENGER  3INCE THEN RESENTMENTS HAVE FESTERED AND ETHNICALLY MOTIVATED GROUPS HAVE BEEN ON THE RISE /N THE GROUND MOUNTING EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT SOCIOECONOMIC DIS PARITIES ARE WIDENING ETHNIC INTOLERANCE IS ON THE RISE AND THE POLITICAL CLASS IS BECOMING CLOSED AND EVEN REGRESSIVE IN ITS APPROACH 4HIS HIGH LY POLARIZED SITUATION DOES NOT AUGUR WELL FOR THE FUTURE IF WORSE COMES TO WORSE THE VAUNTED -AURITIAN MELTING POINT COULD BECOME A BOILING



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POT !RE THERE WAYS TO REVERSE THESE DIRE TRENDS 9ES IF THE POLITICAL WILL CAN BE SUMMONED &IRST THE WIDELY CELEBRATED NOTION OF -AURITIUS AS A ÜPICTURE PERFECTÝ DEMOCRACY NEEDS TO GIVE WAY TO A MORE INTROSPECTIVE AND NUANCED AS SESSMENT OF THE STATE OF DEMOCRACY ON THE ISLAND ONE THAT CAN SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR A BROADER AND MORE OPEN DEBATE ON THE QUALITATIVE AS WELL AS THE QUANTIFIABLE ASPECTS OF ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE -AU RITIUS STILL COMPARES FAVORABLY TO THE ECONOMIC AND DEMOCRATIC TRACK RECORDS LAID DOWN BY THE REST OF !FRICA 9ET IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT OVER THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS OR SO -AURITIUS HAS STALLED IN TERMS OF DEMOCRATIC DE VELOPMENT WHILE A NUMBER OF !FRICAN COUNTRIES INCLUDING #APE 6ERDE 'HANA +ENYA AND 4ANZANIA HAVE TAKEN MAJOR STEPS FORWARD 3ECOND CITIZENS NEED TO STOP WAITING FOR POLITICAL LEADERS TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND START USING THEIR OWN CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES AS MEMBERS OF CIVIL SOCIETY IF A NEW CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITIZENS AND THOSE IN POWER IS TO COME INTO BEING #ITIZENS MUST CLAIM THE NECESSARY SPACEàOUTSIDE THE NORMAL FRAMEWORK OF PARTIES AND ELECTIONSàTO CONTEST PROTEST AND OPPOSE STATE POLICIES WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING BLACKLISTED OR TARGETED )N FACT A GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED  REPORT ON THE ISLANDÛS COMPETI TIVENESS HIGHLIGHTED THE CULTURE OF FEAR THAT WAS COMING SUBTLY TO PER VADE -AURITIAN CIVIC LIFE 4HIS FEAR COULD COME IN THE FORM OF CONCERN ABOUT THE LOSS OF PATRONAGE AND CLIENTELISTIC PRIVILEGES OR IN THE MORE GENERAL SHAPE OF WORRY ABOUT DRAWING THE UNFRIENDLY ATTENTION OF THOSE IN POWER ,AST BUT NOT LEAST IT IS NECESSARY TO BE ATTENTIVE TO THE EMERGING DY NASTIC POLITICAL CULTURE 4HROUGHOUT MORE THAN FOUR DECADES OF INDEPEN DENCE THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOMEONE NAMED EITHER 2AM GOOLAM OR *UGNAUTH !S ,ARRY $IAMOND HAS RECENTLY DETAILED IN THESE PAGES EMERGING MARKET DEMOCRACIES HAVE BEEN SHOWING REMARKABLE RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF THE RECENT POOR GLOBAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONSàREPLACING GOVERNMENTS EAGERLY BY REGULAR DEMOCRATIC MEANS THE BALLOT AND SHOWING FEW SIGNS OF STRAYING FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PATH AS THEY DO SO 4HIS MEANS THAT FRIENDS OF -AURITIAN DEMOCRACY CAN TAKE HEART AND NEED NOT FEAR THAT THE END OF THE ISLANDÛS ECONOMIC BOOM YEARS NECESSARILY SPELLS DEMOCRATIC DECLINE 9ET $IAMOND SOUNDS A WARNING WHICH -AURITIUS MUST HEED WHEN HE CAUTIONS THAT CHRONICALLY POOR GOVERNANCEàROOTED IN DEFICIENT NORMS INSTITUTIONS AND STANDARDS OF ACCOUNTABILITYàMAY POSE A MORE INSIDIOUS THREAT TO FREE SELF GOVERNMENT IN MANY A DEVELOPING DEMOCRACY ./4%3  3TEVEN 2ADELET %MERGING !FRICA (OW  #OUNTRIES !RE ,EADING THE 7AY 7ASH INGTON $# #ENTER FOR 'LOBAL $EVELOPMENT  AND 2ADELET Ü3UCCESS 3TORIES FROM Ú%MERGING !FRICA ÛÝ *OURNAL OF $EMOCRACY  /CTOBER   ß

2OUKAYA +ASENALLY



 4HE 2EPUBLIC OF -AURITIUS CONSISTS OF NOT ONLY THE EPONYMOUS MAIN ISLAND WHICH IS JUST OVER   KILOMETERS SQUARE AND LIES  KILOMETERS DUE EAST OF -ADAGASCAR BUT ALSO THE ISLAND OF 2ODRIGUES PLUS TWO SMALLER ATOLLS !GALEGA AND 3AINT "RANDON  -AU RITIUS ALSO HAD TERRITORIAL CONTROL OVER THE #HAGOS !RCHIPELAGO BUT "RITAIN BOUGHT THIS GROUP OF ISLANDS IN  -AURITIUS IS STILL TRYING TO REGAIN SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE #HAGOS !RCHIPELAGO INCLUDING $IEGO 'ARCIA WHICH HAS BECOME AN IMPORTANT 53 AIR NAVAL AND COMMUNICATIONS BASE  *AMES -EADE 4HE %CONOMICS AND 3OCIAL 3TRUCTURE OF -AURITIUS 2EPORT TO THE 'OV ERNMENT OF -AURITIUS ,ONDON -ETHUEN    63 .AIPAUL 4HE /VERCROWDED "ARRACOON AND /THER !RTICLES ,ONDON !NDRE $EUTSCH    4HE 5./$#ÛS 7ORLD $RUG 2EPORT   7ILLIAM &3 -ILES Ü4HE #REOLE -ALAISE IN -AURITIUS Ý !FRICAN !FFAIRS  !PRIL   ß 0ATRICK %ISENLOHR ,ITTLE )NDIA $IASPORA 4IME AND %THNO LINGUISTIC "E LONGING IN (INDU -AURITIUS "ERKELEY 5NIVERSITY OF #ALIFORNIA 0RESS   2OSABELLE "OSWELL ,E -ALAISE #R²OLE %THNIC )DENTITY IN -AURITIUS .EW 9ORK "ERGHAHN    %ISENLOHR ,ITTLE )NDIA   3HEILA 3 "UNWAREE AND 2OUKAYA +ASENALLY Ü%LECTORAL 2EFORM -OVING TOWARDS AN )NCLUSIVE $EMOCRACY IN -AURITIUS Ý PAPER PREPARED FOR -AURITIUS )NSTITUTE OF 3OCIAL $EVELOPMENT AND 0EACE  (ENRY 3REBRNIK Ü&ULL OF 3OUND AND &URY 4HREE $ECADES OF 0ARLIAMENTARY 0OLITICS IN -AURITIUS Ý *OURNAL OF 3OUTHERN !FRICAN 3TUDIES  *UNE   ß AND !MENAH *AHANGEER #HOJOO Ü&ROM -INORITY TO -AINSTREAM 0OLITICS 4HE #ASE OF -AURITIAN -US LIMS Ý *OURNAL OF 3OCIAL 3CIENCES  /CTOBERß$ECEMBER   ß  .ATIONAL 0RODUCTIVITY AND #OMPETITIVENESS #OUNCIL Ü#OMPETITIVENESS 2EPORT 7HAT /RIENTATIONS FOR -AURITIUSÝ   ,ARRY $IAMOND Ü7HY $EMOCRACIES 3URVIVE Ý *OURNAL OF $EMOCRACY  *ANUARY   ß