Mauritius, a kaleidoscope of peace? : an investigation of the plural approach

'Mauritius: A Kaleidoscope of Peace? An Investigation of The Plural Approach' is an M-Phil project focusing on the construction and utilisation of ethnicity on various levels in Mauritian society. The thesis is divided into two parts; the first of which examines the state's perceptions on ethnicity as a guiding social force and the implementation of policies that execute this philosophy. The second part of the thesis examines possible discrepancies between the ethnic system created by the state, and the construction of identities and social networks amongst the citizens of Mauritius. Two central perceptions on the state of nation-building in Mauritius, the 'constancy of culture' and the alleged integrative function of the ethnocratic social system, are examined in the hope of drawing conclusions on the concept of ethnicity as it functions in Mauritius. The Afro-Creole segment of the population provides an excellent portal to understanding the effect the social system has on its citizens. They lack centripetal mechanisms that would allow this group to evolve into an ethnic group proper; that is, they suffer under depressed access to a cultural repertoire facilitating such a process. This has proved invaluable to similar process amongst other groups. The result of this depressed access to 'ethnic resources' is that the Afro-Creoles are effectively rendered social outcastes. This is perhaps the greatest challenge to the Mauritian social system today.