The political landscape of the Maldives has seen a significant transformation over the past eight years. After decades of political repression and authoritarian rule, the Maldives’ first free and fair election was held in 2008 resulting in the first change of leadership and government in 30 years. The people of the Maldives created high expectations of the tangible benefits of democracy and embraced the democratic features introduced with the political transition with great zeal. Tracing the sociocultural landscape of the Maldives, this presentation considers the sociocultural transformations the Maldives has experienced since the onset of democratisation, and engages with questions relating to the preservation of Maldivian culture, history, and sovereignty should the Maldives cease to exist.