Good Governance and Development in Botswana – The Democracy Conundrum

Abstract

Unlike many of its African neighbours, Botswana achieved levels of socio-economic development in spite of its abundant mineral wealth. Botswana’s effective management of its mineral resources also aided in its avoidance of the resource curse and corresponding weak institutions. The contribution of Botswana’s mineral wealth to its development best characterizes the country as a “resource-rich developmental state.” However, the correlation between democratic principles and institutions to Botswana’s developmental success was unclear. This paper examines the connection between democracy and development in Botswana by relying on the “thin” versus “thick” spectrum of democratic institutions expounded by Mariana Prado, Mario Schapiro, and Diogo Coutinho. The paper argues that Botswana’s institutions are not democratically “thick”; therefore, democracy and “good” governance, as its conceived neoliberally, do not explain Botswana’s development outcomes. Instead, this paper contends that David Trubek, Diogo Coutinho, and Mario Schapiro’s “legal functionalities” framework, which credits the success of development policies to four roles the legal system could play: (i) safeguarding flexibility, (ii) stimulating orchestration, (iii) framing synergy, and (iv) ensuring legitimacy, is better suited to explain the success of Botswana’s resource-rich developmental state.

Do natural resources and foreign direct investment tend to erode or support the development of national institutions?

“…In this light, Botswana is an example of a developing country that has successfully managed to regulate its natural resources sectors to avert excessive monopoly rents. The country's remarkable story in mining and the trade of diamonds has been made possible through the creation of strong institutions and state management that stands against corruption (Acemoglu et al, 2015; Ghebremusse, 2018).…”

Do Natural Resources and FDI Tend to Erode or Support the Development of National Institutions?

“…In this light, Botswana is an example of a developing country that has successfully managed to regulate its natural resources sectors to avert excessive monopoly rents. The country's remarkable story in mining and the trade of diamonds has been made possible through the creation of strong institutions and state management that stands against corruption (Acemoglu et al, 2015;Ghebremusse, 2018).…”

Services as a Determinant of Botswana’s Economic Sustainability

“…However, Botswana continued having implementation challenges, some of which included the persistence of the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) with a high prevalence rate of at least one in every five tested citizens according to the UNICEF report for 2022 [ 45 ]. Moreover, the country was impacted by slow economic diversification, rising youth unemployment, poverty, and social inequality [ 46 ]. This has affected the government’s efforts to achieve its aims.…”

“…This was despite all efforts made to contain the disease such as the designation of a special coordinating institution, the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA), assistance from international organizations such as the African HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP), and the US Government funded Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which reduced the productiveness of its population. Another major issue has been that of slow diversification of the economy [ 46 ].…”

“…Corruption, as well as the industry, tends to defeat the idea of citizen involvement in the economy and continues to pose another major challenge in Botswana. These challenges have all been largely due to various reasons which include declining public accountability, lack of commitment to reforming the public sector, and a decline in the commitment by state authorities [ 42 , 46 ]. The next section is the data and methods.…”