When multiethnic countries face critical junctures, which are by definition times of high uncertainty, we would expect that the support for radical reforms would compel us to choose between class politics and identity politics, social democracy and multiculturalism, redistribution and recognition. “These, however, are false antitheses. Justice today requires both redistribution and recognition. Neither alone is sufficient.” Nancy Fraser’s working paper “Social Justice in the Age of Identity Politics: Redistribution, Recognition, Participation”
We believe , that “only by looking to integrative approaches that unite redistribution and recognition can we meet the requirements of justice for all” in our rainbow nation.
A. Political reform
Götz Schulze , Jacques Colom and Stephanie Rohlfing-Dijoux in their book “The 50th Anniversary of Mauritius – Constitutional Development” deals with a) the constitutional development of Mauritius towards independence, b) the independence of the constitutional judges and the independence of the judiciary in comparison between France, Germany and Mauritius and c) the economic and social rights contained in the catalogue of fundamental rights.
The fact that the success of Mauritius is often attributed to its specific institutions also provides an opportunity to address the renewal of African constitutionalism by comparing the experiences and difficulties of African countries. “Mauritians must take hold of their republican constitution, defend republican values by enriching them with the integration of second- and third-generation human rights, and complete the construction of the rainbow nation without leaving anyone behind. The eventual failure of democracy would surely lead to the observation made by my colleagues about many African countries, including Madagascar, where the constitutional text only has value because it is supported by the international community…..The successful quest for democracy also requires the protection of the independence of counter-powers such as the press, the "forces vives", a university which is autonomous and free from the executive power, a strong, free and independent bar; in addition to independent bodies protected by the constitution and active communication in favor of the Constitution and the protection of fundamental rights."
In today’s L’express, the Chief Editor notes that “..our country, renowned for its diversity and harmony, has seen its ideal of unity through diversity shattered...... The upheaval has led to a critical examination of the Mauritian Constitution, a document largely shaped under colonial oversight and minimally changed since independence in 1968, and quotes from Jacques Colom’s book, "The constitution's failure to evolve alongside the nation's socio-cultural landscape has left a significant portion of the population feeling disenfranchised and invisible under the law.”
The international seminar "Pouvoirs et constitutions dans les États de l’océan Indien" organized at the University of Mauritius on Sept 2012 had precisely the objective of explaining why in Mauritius, unlike the rest of Africa, constitutionalism is doing better while highlighting its fragility notably through the writing of constitutions and their application by the constitutional judge/court.
«Il s’agit de s’interroger sur le procédé d’élaboration non démocratique de cette écriture constitutionnelle soumise à une autorité coloniale et acceptée par la majorité sans débat démocratique alors que les archives montrent que les élites politiques et l’opinion publique s’intéressaient activement aux questions de développement constitutionnel. Il s’agit aussi d’analyser l’impact de cette écriture, important sur la constitution et en particulier sur les droits fondamentaux, sur la question de Rodrigues et celle des femmes. Si ce procédé a abouti à la création d’une constitution démocratique, protégeant le communalisme électoral et sans référence aux droits sociaux de la deuxième génération. Il a aussi influencé sa mise en œuvre par le gouvernement et le juge constitutionnel dans un sens non-démocratique surtout pendant l’état d’urgence maintenu abusivement.»
Dr Jacques Colom had noted that «Maurice peut changer de manière durable en devenant une véritable nation arc-en-ciel plus solidaire associant sur un pied d’égalité tous les Mauriciens et fondée sur de nouvelles valeurs : la bonne gouvernance, la transparence, la responsabilité, la solidarité et la fraternité républicaine”
Political reform: Work in progress
Jack Bizall and his core group comprising former parliamentarians ,academics, constitutional lawyers and historian… , if I’m not mistaken, have completed the drafting of a new constitution for “la Deuxième République.” For Mr Bizlall and his team…”the freedom of the human person should be the supra-constitutional foundation of our Second Republic…to put an end to categorization,…ostracism...and eugenics.”
The eco-socialist party, Rezistans ek Alternativ, is also actively engaged with opposition parties, advocating for the suspension of community declaration for candidacy, especially within parties with current parliamentarians. It has been pushing for a constitutional conference bringing together opposition politicians from both the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary parties, trade unionists, citizens and independent political observers.
The eco-socialist party has also been working towards a joint declaration by all opposition parties on constitutional change. It has also reached out to leaders of the Labour Party, MMM, PMSD and Linion Moris for potential discussions, either individually or collectively.
B. Economic reform: Some proposals
But as for the economic reform agenda aiming at a revitalisation of the rainbow nation and the betterment of our “viv ensam” , some of the economic policies proposed in a paper titled “Economic Policies and Identity Politics” by Andrés Velasco and Daniel Brieba (dated Feb 1, 2024 published in Project Syndicate) may be of some help.
They warn us that “ Conventional wisdom holds that today’s angry populism will wane if income is distributed more fairly. But unless we address the identity clash on which populism thrives, politics will become so nasty that spurring innovation, reducing income inequality, improving public services, and fighting climate change could become impossible.”
What kinds of economic policies should reformers pursue ?
“Policies also can play a role, but not just any policies. The key is to transmit one fundamental message to voters: government is working for you, not for elites of some kind or for friends in the party establishment.”
Some policies that potentially fit that bill are:
1. Revamped social insurance. Whoever finds no helping hand when they become ill or lose their job is likely to become skeptical of mainstream politicians and potential fodder for populists and demagogues.
2. Active labor market policy as in some Scandinavian economies and adopted elsewhere in Europe. It includes skills re-training, pro-employment subsidies, and helping with job search. The goal is to increase the chances that everyone – including people with few skills and little experience – can land a decent job. (Less reliance on foreign workers)
3. Increase social cohesion and lower the temperature on identity issues by creating good jobs is much better than handing out a universal basic income. Good jobs can provide links to the community, a sense of self-worth, and hope for the future; sitting at home checking social media while waiting for a government handout cannot. Citizens who feel left behind are easy prey for populists.
4. To tackle income disparities and lagging regions/communities is tricky, the key is to move away from only transfers and income support and toward a targeted “big push” that helps in creating opportunities and closing the gap through measures at boosting the economic prospects of struggling communities/areas.
5. Extending devolution to communities and strengthening people power to make decisions about their communities in meaningful bespoke ways to improve their lives.
6. Specific outcomes to be achieved by 2030:
-Increase pay, employment and productivity
-Fixing the education gap
-Protecting health and wellbeing
-Skills training
-Narrowing life expectancy gap,
-Decreased inequalities
-Social housing needs
-Crime reduction
In addition helping the retraining of workers, cooperating with companies and institutions to identify the public goods and services needed for levelling up and improving living standards , and easing the assimilation of knowledge are all components of a successful strategy.
