ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the results of field research on the effects of size on politics and democracy in Seychelles. It focuses on the political history, democratization, and political institutions of the microstate, after which an analysis of the Seychellois political system is provided. The results point to a number of democratic deficiencies in Seychellois politics, even though all the formal requisites of democracy are present. Seychelles became an independent republic on 29 June 1976, James Mancham became president and France-Albert Rene prime minister. Under the new constitution, Seychelles acquired a republican political system which included elements of both British and French political traditions. When the political system of Seychelles is measured up to Robert A. Dahl's conditions for polyarchy, it can first be remarked that Freedom House's classification of the microstate as an electoral democracy can be considered justifiable.
