The “socialist revolution” in the Seychelles
After the “socialist revolution” in 1977, the Seychelles introduced a universal social
pension, free education and free health care. This path of the Seychelles to universal
social policies is unique in several regards. On the one hand, the policies were financed
by economic growth triggered by a non-dogmatic economic policy that focused
on three partly state-led, partly privately driven key sectors. Especially important
were services (tourism, finance) that replaced the colonial plantation economy.
On the other hand, the country also successfully navigated the Cold War by attracting
capitalist development aid to finance “socialist” policies. Finally, social policies
contributed to a relatively high standard of living and persisted throughout economic
and political liberalisation.
Keywords: Seychelles, socialist revolution, universal social policy, social pension, free health care
Vol: 1/2018 - Article 1.7
