Balancing national and ethno-cultural belonging: State recognition and perceived government performance in Mauritius

Abstract

Amidst debates about national unity and cultural diversity, this paper examines whether and when people living in a highly diverse country self-identify as a member of their nation, their ethno-cultural group, or with both (dual self-identification). Two large-scale studies with nationally representative data of the Mauritian population show that a clear majority demonstrates dual self-identification. Furthermore, ethno-cultural group membership and perceived fairness of how the government treats one’s ethno-cultural group were found to matter for people’s self-identification. The findings are discussed in relation to the continuing debate about national unity and cultural diversity and the importance of conducting research in understudied contexts.