ABSTRACT
René stands remarkable for the adroit manner in which he undid his own coup and much of his political programme. Few have staged a coup or revolution and then with time reversed it. Deng Xiaoping's part in the overthrow of capitalism in China and subsequent design of its reintroduction is a possible parallel, but even Deng was Mao Zedong leading the original revolution. The end of the Cold War ended the limited economic assistance available from the Eastern bloc and increased the leverage of the IFIs with their requirements for macro-economic reform in economies such as that of Seychelles. René appears to have used the Congress simply to reinvigorate the party and provide incentives for its members, but to draw the membership to a realisation that change was coming and they should expect a need to work in a more competitive environment.
