Democracy is Not for the Hungry? Rethinking the Right to Vote in Fragile States Like Madagascar

Democracy is widely upheld as a universal ideal of governance rooted in equality, participation, and accountability. However, in fragile states such as Madagascar, these ideals are often undermined by socio- economic realities that transform democratic rights into instruments of exchange rather than expressions of sovereignty. This paper aims to critically examine how the right to vote in Madagascar has evolved into a transactional practice, reflecting the intersection between poverty, weak institutions, and political clientelism. Adopting a qualitative socio-legal approach, the study draws upon conceptual analysis of democracy, policy documents, academic literature, and socio-economic data to explore how voting operates within a system shaped by structural inequalities. The findings show that the right to vote, while constitutionally guaranteed, has been commodified as citizens trade their ballots for short-term material benefits offered by political elites. This transactional pattern erodes public trust, distorts political competition, and perpetuates elite dominance. Moreover, financial and legal barriers that privilege wealthier candidates further entrench inequality and weaken the electorate’s independence. The paper concludes that as long as economic vulnerability and weak civic awareness persist, democracy in Madagascar will remain captive to clientelist exchanges. It recommends targeted poverty alleviation, nationwide civic education, and strict campaign finance reforms to transform voting from a transactional act into a genuine democratic choice.