Classe, genre et représentation politique,

Abstract

Class, gender and Political representation, in St-Laurent du Maroni (French Guiana) from 1949 to 1983. This paper deals with the evolution of political representation in Saint-Laurent du Maroni from 1949 to 1983. Owing to colonial hierarchies, the political sphere was first dominated and shaped by members of the Creole community. The Creole colonial elites did not, however, retain political power. Education levels, administrative skills and affiliation with political parties competed with the traditional resources of the Creole financial upper class, thus enabling members of the middle class to be elected. This renewal of political representatives profoundly changed the place of women in local political institutions. Indeed, whereas in the days of "notables", Creole women had campaigned in houses, in the private sphere and through their Catholic network, from the 1970s they began to appear in the public sphere and accede to political office.