ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in St. Lucia. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities, life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in St. Lucia. Prime Minister Kenny Anthony's St. Lucia Labour Party swept to victory in the December 3 general elections, winning 14 of 17 seats in parliament, just short of the 16-1 majority it achieved in 1997. St. Lucia, a member of the Commonwealth, achieved independence in 1979. The British monarchy is represented by a governor-general. Citizens are able to change their government through democratic elections. The 2001 elections were considered to be free and fair, although fewer than 50 percent of those eligible actually voted, a drop from the 60 percent registered in the 1997 contest.
