By JANICK BEATRIX ANGELAY BRÛ Submitted in Accordance with The
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AN INVESTIGATION OF THE USEFULNESS OF AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO A SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATE: THE CASE OF SEYCHELLES AND THE COMMONWEALTH by JANICK BEATRIX ANGELAY BRÛ submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY in the subject DEVELOPMENT STUDIES at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROF L CORNWELL JUNE 2014 ABSTRACT A major aim of many international organizations is to support development in member countries but despite the importance of this objective in international relations and international cooperation, there are surprisingly few evaluations regarding the effectiveness of development assistance as perceived by recipients. This study, which was conducted using qualitative research methods, addresses the issue as it applies to Seychelles and the Commonwealth. The focus of the Modern Commonwealth, an association of 54 countries, is to fulfil the agenda of member countries as stated in periodic declarations of heads of states. The association has been particularly active, and vocal, in supporting small, least developed, and vulnerable states, including small island developing states. The Republic of Seychelles, a member of the Commonwealth since 1976, is a microstate with limited resources to support national development. Relying heavily on overseas development aid, then on commercial loans, the country attained remarkable levels of socio-economic development despite reaching the verge of bankruptcy in 2008 – when help was sought from the IMF. The continued existence of deep political dissensions has also earned it the label of „unquiet islands‟. Despite considerable support received from the Commonwealth, few individuals in positions of responsibility in Seychelles think that this assistance has had an impact on the country‟s development. Commonwealth support in areas which could potentially change the future of the islands, such as maritime boundaries and petroleum prospecting, are generally invisible to most. It is clear that some Commonwealth assistance is visionary and sustained but according to recipients in Seychelles, the bulk of it falls short of expectations. This perception is due mostly to the inability of people in-country to connect with the Commonwealth or to understand how the Commonwealth functions. i Commonwealth officials also seem unaware of the effects of their assistance programmes on intended recipients in Seychelles. The study reveals that communication systems that are inclusive rather than exclusive, approaches that show sensitivity to national context, and a focus on relationship-building, could improve both the content and relevance of the assistance provided by an international organization as well as recipients‟ perception of the value of this assistance. ii ACKNOWEDGEMENTS In a special way, I thank my supervisor, Professor Linda Cornwell who wisely guided my choice of topic, gave invaluable assistance in the finalizing of the document, and remained staunchly supportive through many administrative hurdles. The participants of the study in the Seychelles and within the Commonwealth, the individuals who helped me access information at the Seychelles National Archives and the Commonwealth Resource Center at Marlborough House, as well as those who shared papers and documents, were essential contributors to this research. Their contributions helped to weave the fabric of the study. I am in their debt. My gratitude also goes to those in my life who, in one way or another, made it possible for me to do this work, in particular: my God-fearing parents who taught me to believe in the following Bible verse – “Je puis tout par celui qui me fortifie”; my husband, Michel, who supported me emotionally and financially throughout, and who, despite his demanding work schedule, often agreed to act as a sounding board; my daughter, Michou, and grandson, Dwayne, to whom I turned for relief whenever the pressures grew; and my siblings, who cheered me on! I dedicate this work to my mother, Pat, who passed away when I was more than halfway through the study but who, while alive, never wavered in her confidence that I could bring this task to completion – although she did sometimes wonder why I had chosen to do it at all… iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... i ACKNOWEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii List of Tables ............................................................................................................... xii List of Figures ............................................................................................................. xiii CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND ............................................................................ 1 1.3 RESEARCH PROBLEM, OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE ............................................ 6 1.3.1 Research problem ............................................................................................ 6 1.3.3 Research objectives ......................................................................................... 7 1.3.4 Scope of study ................................................................................................. 8 1.4 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY ........................................................ 8 1.4.1 Desk review of archival material and documentary sources ............................. 9 1.4.2 Field research .................................................................................................. 9 1.4.3Research techniques………………………………………………………………..10 1.4.4 Ethical issues ................................................................................................. 11 1.5 IMPORTANCE OF STUDY ................................................................................... 11 1.6 OUTLINE OF THESIS AND CHAPTER CONTENT .............................................. 12 CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................................... 15 REVIEW OF SELECTED RELEVANT LITERATURE ................................................. 15 2.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 15 2.2 KEY CONCEPTS AND TERMS ............................................................................ 18 2.3 THE INTER-STATE SYSTEM AND THE CONCEPT OF ASSOCIATION IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY .................................................................. 21 2.3.1 The nation-state and international structures .................................................. 21 2.3.2 International organizations in International Relations theories ........................ 22 iv 2.3.3 The domestic system and the international system ........................................ 26 2.3.4 The emergence and growth of international governmental organizations ....... 27 2.3.5 Types of international organizations ............................................................... 28 2.3.6 Durability of international governmental organizations.................................... 30 2.4 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, MANDATE AND ROLE OF AN INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION ............................................ 31 2.4.1 Levels and nature of international cooperation ............................................... 31 2.4.2 Multilateralism and state sovereignty .............................................................. 32 2.4.3 Technical assistance or cooperation .............................................................. 35 2.5 THE COMMONWEALTH AS AN ASSOCIATION OF STATES, SEEN THROUGH INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY .................................................................. 37 2.5.1 The origin and functioning of the Modern Commonwealth .............................. 37 2.5.2 The Commonwealth as an international organization ..................................... 39 2.5.3 The multi-faceted, plural Commonwealth ....................................................... 41 2.5.4 The reform of international organizations and of the Commonwealth itself ..... 41 2.6 SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES ........................................................................................................... 45 2.6.1 Small States, Small Island States and Microstates ......................................... 45 2.6.2 Development needs of a SIDS ....................................................................... 46 2.6.3 Small states and major international organizations ........................................ 48 2.6.4 Small states‟ membership of the Commonwealth ........................................... 49 2.6.5 Benefits of membership of the Commonwealth to developing member states 50 2.6.6 The mandate of the Commonwealth in regard to Small Island Developing States ..................................................................................................................... 52 2.6.7 The Commonwealth response to development problems faced by small and vulnerable member states, in particular small island developing states ................... 53 2.7 THE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES AS A SMALL