PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN POLICY-MAKING AND POLICY ...

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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE MAKING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY IN MAURITIUS WITH REFERENCE TO PORT LOUIS' LOCAL GOVERNMENT

by

SANJIV KUMAR BABOOA

Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of

DOCTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

in the subject

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

at the

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

PROMOTER: PROF M J MAFUNISA JOINT PROMOTER: DR M V HEERDEN

NOVEMBER 2008

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to extend my gratitude to all the people and institutions, who have contributed significantly to the completion of this thesis: ? Professor M. J. Mafunisa, my promoter for his continuous interest,

patience, insight, guidance, enthusiasm, creative input, constructive criticism, motivation, very competent academic guidance and above all his positive attitude throughout the course of this research. ? Dr. M. Van Heerden, my joint promoter for his very supportive, insight, very competent academic guidance, patience, interest, constructive criticism and above all his positive attitude throughout the course of this thesis.

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DECLARATION

Student Number: 3110-958 - 6

I declare that "PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE MAKING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY IN MAURITIUS WITH REFERENCE TO PORT LOUIS' LOCAL GOVERNMENT" is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references.

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SUMMARY

The central issue of this study revolves around public participation in the making and implementation of policy in Mauritius, particularly at the Port Louis' local government. Public participation is regarded as one of the milestones of democracy and local governance. Local government provides an ideal forum for allowing participatory democracy to flourish as it is closest to the inhabitants. The question of what are the levels of public participation in the making and implementation of policy in Mauritius with reference to the Port Louis' local government formed the core element of the problem statement of the thesis. Following this, the hypothesis is stated. Attention is devoted on the four objectives of the research questions: What are the key concepts that relate to public participation in the making and implementation of policy at local government level; what impact does the Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius Amendment, 2003 (Act 124 of 2003) and the New Local Government Act, 2005 (Act 23 of 2005) have on public participation in the making and implementation of policy in Mauritius, particularly at the Port Louis' local government and what modes of public participation are used in the making and implementation of policy at the Port Louis' local government; and what are the main factors that influence public participation in the making and implementation of policy at the Port Louis' local government? Within the thesis, the research findings obtained from the questionnaire; and the interviews are analysed and interpreted. Ultimately, in view of the arguments presented in this thesis an attempt was made to provide some recommendations on public participation in the making and implementation of policy in Mauritius, particularly at the Port Louis' local government.

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KEY TERMS ? Participation ? Public participation ? Citizen participation ? Community participation ? Public Administration ? Public policy ? Policy-making ? Policy implementation ? Democracy ? Local government ? Modes of public participation ? Constitutional and legislative framework on public participation in

Mauritius ? Public participation at the Port Louis' local government

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