Trouble in paradise: Ethnic conflict in Mauritius

This article identifies the factors that led to inter-ethnic violence in th e Indian Ocean island state of Mauritius early in 1999, Until then, Mauriti us had been one of the most successful of developing countries, achieving r apid economic growth, huge improvements in the average standard of living, and the consolidation of democratic institutions and procedures. Despite th e multi-ethnic character of its population, it avoided ethnic violence for more than three decades after becoming independent in 1968, We demonstrate that the increased inequalities associated with economic growth created soc ial strains; that the failure of the education system to adapt to new socia l needs has helped to perpetuate inequalities; and that the fact that inequ ality partly coincides with ethnic divisions transformed those social strai ns into an explosive situation, Our analysis suggests a number of steps tha t might be taken to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence of inter-ethnic v iolence in Mauritius and identifies some general lessons from the Mauritian experience.