BP64: Madagascans and democracy: Principles, practice and participation

Madagascans are clearly very keen to preserve key civil liberties: freedom of expression, the right to organize and freedom of the press. These attitudes, which were already apparent in the 2005 survey, appear to be even more strongly felt in 2008. The vast majority of Madagascans are also deeply attached to the general principles of democratic governance (against one-party rule, presidential dictatorship or ‘one-man rule’ and military rule). The present study, based on the data provided by the survey conducted in May 2008, outlines Madagascans’ attitudes towards democracy – both in terms of the principles and of the practice of democracy.