Civic networks, legitimacy and the policy process

In ethnically divided developing countries, avenues permitting popular part icipation in the policy process seem essential if the state is to be viewed as legitimate. Frequently, however, mechanisms intended to build legitimac y by providing for popular participation fail to achieve this target. This article analyzes the policy process in Mauritius, and argues that it combin es characteristics of both policy networks and civil society. We term this form of popular consultation on policy a "civic network," and we present re search which suggests that it has been successful in building legitimacy. B y comparing this civic network with other forms of popular participation, w e are able to identify the characteristics which seem to make it move effec tive. The effects of popular participation on the policy capacity of a stat e are move mixed, but in the case of Mauritius, we conclude that by increas ing legitimacy, the civic network also increased state policy capacity.