Abstract

Mauritian independence in 1968 marked the end of a regime favorable to the Franco-Mauritians, the island’s white colonial elite. Now, in postcolonial Mauritius, this group is faced with a much more diverse power constellation and often feels in competition with others vying for their privileges. Though this is a clear departure from the colonial heydays, Franco-Mauritians have been able to continue their elite position into the early twenty-first century. This book focuses on the power of white elites still lingering on in postcolonial realities, and with regards to elites and power in general, addresses anew how an elite group aims to prolong its position over time.

Tijo Salverda is a Research Fellow at the University of Cologne’s Global South Studies Center and a Research Associate of the University of Pretoria’s Human Economy Programme. His research interests include elites, power, and global investment chains, and his publications include The Anthropology of Elites (co-edited with Jon Abbink, Palgrave Macmillan, 2013) and “In Defence: Elite Power” (Journal of Political Power, 2010).

"This book offers significant contributions to the anthropology of elites—whereas anthropology has historically tended towards subaltern studies—and to the ethnography of Franco-Mauritians, who have been neglected in previous ethnographic studies of Mauritius." · Laura Jeffery, University of Edinburgh

“This monograph based on serious ethnographic field research is also a remarkable contribution to the comparative study of elites and power. It should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in the field.” · Jean-Pascal Daloz, University of Strasbourg