Features of a Welfare State and Mauritian Political History

Flashcards covering the definition and features of a welfare state, the specific services provided in Mauritius, and the political and constitutional history regarding the Chagos Archipelago.

Welfare State

A state that takes measures to provide for the well-being of its citizens, seeks to remove poverty, hunger, and unemployment, and bridges the gap between the rich and poor.

Bridging the gap between the rich and the poor

Providing the poor with equal opportunities and life chances so they have access to the same services as the rich and can compete equally for resources.

Features of a Welfare State

It removes poverty and hunger, gives equal importance to the liberty of the individual and the interests of the society, functions through democratic institutions, treats all citizens equally, and provides welfare through planned programmes.

Mauritius Welfare State system

Provides free education, healthcare facilities in public hospitals, and free transport for selective age groups.

Social Security Pensions

Pensions provided by the government to the elderly, disabled, widows, carers, and orphans.

Tax

Governmental revenue, such as income, corporate, value-added, and property taxes, which makes public services and the functioning of a Welfare State possible.

Consequences of lacking welfare facilities

Chronic poverty, high illiteracy, low standard of living, and increased inequalities across the island.

Chagos Archipelago

An archipelago in the Indian Ocean and a former British colony, home to an important American military base on Diego Garcia.

International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion (February 2019)

A legal opinion stating that Britain should withdraw its colonial administration from the Chagos Archipelago within 6 months.

General Assembly resolution on Chagos Archipelago

A nonbinding resolution passed with 116 votes to 6, demanding that the British withdraw their colonial administration from the archipelago.

Diego Garcia

The largest island in the Chagos Archipelago and the site of a USA military base.

Oil Islands

A name for the Chagos Archipelago in the 18th century after products such as seabirds, salted fish, wood and tortoises were processed into oil.

1965

The year associated with the expulsion of Chagos.

1967

The year associated with the constitutional conference.

1969

The year associated with the formation of a new political party.

1971

The year associated with the students' strike.

1975

The year associated with the provision of free secondary education.

1977

The year associated with the general elections.

2002

The year associated with autonomy granted to Rodrigues.