The Extent to Which Botswana Is a Developmental State
Political Science 201 Assignment 1
“Discuss the extent to which Botswana is a developmental state.”
Table of contents Item | Heading | Page | 1. | Introduction | 2 | 2. | Brief background | 2 | 3. | Characteristics of a developmental state3.1 Development –orientated political leadership3.2 An autonomous and effective bureaucracy3.3 The economy3.4 Performance‐oriented governance3.5 Production‐Oriented Private Sector | 334456 | 4. | Conclusion | 6 | 5. | Bibliography | 7 |
1. Introduction
Botswana is considered as ‘The Miracle’ of Africa as it started out as one of the poorest countries at the time of its independence and now it is known as the country with one of the highest/fastest growth rate figures in the world, therefore this is one of the reasons it is considered a developmental country (Hopkins 1995).” W. A. Edge simply defines the state as “one in which the state is the primary agent of socio-economic change and actively organises and directs it.” Referring specifically to Africa Mkandawire (1998:2) defines a developmental state as “one whose ideological underpinnings are developmental and one that seriously attempts to deploy its administrative and political resources to the task of economic development. This essay will briefly look at Botswana’s background and also seeks to point out as to what degree is Botswana a developmental state by looking into the factors that would classify it as one, from the year of independence till today. Such factors would include: development‐oriented political leadership; an autonomous and effective bureaucracy; the economy, performance‐oriented governance, and production-oriented private sector.
2. Brief Background
When Botswana gained political independence in 1966 from the British colony, the country seemed an unlikely contender to become a successful developmental state. It was one of the poorest countries in Africa, its vast territory consisted largely of semi‐arid desert land, its small
“Discuss the extent to which Botswana is a developmental state.”
Table of contents Item | Heading | Page | 1. | Introduction | 2 | 2. | Brief background | 2 | 3. | Characteristics of a developmental state3.1 Development –orientated political leadership3.2 An autonomous and effective bureaucracy3.3 The economy3.4 Performance‐oriented governance3.5 Production‐Oriented Private Sector | 334456 | 4. | Conclusion | 6 | 5. | Bibliography | 7 |
1. Introduction
Botswana is considered as ‘The Miracle’ of Africa as it started out as one of the poorest countries at the time of its independence and now it is known as the country with one of the highest/fastest growth rate figures in the world, therefore this is one of the reasons it is considered a developmental country (Hopkins 1995).” W. A. Edge simply defines the state as “one in which the state is the primary agent of socio-economic change and actively organises and directs it.” Referring specifically to Africa Mkandawire (1998:2) defines a developmental state as “one whose ideological underpinnings are developmental and one that seriously attempts to deploy its administrative and political resources to the task of economic development. This essay will briefly look at Botswana’s background and also seeks to point out as to what degree is Botswana a developmental state by looking into the factors that would classify it as one, from the year of independence till today. Such factors would include: development‐oriented political leadership; an autonomous and effective bureaucracy; the economy, performance‐oriented governance, and production-oriented private sector.
2. Brief Background
When Botswana gained political independence in 1966 from the British colony, the country seemed an unlikely contender to become a successful developmental state. It was one of the poorest countries in Africa, its vast territory consisted largely of semi‐arid desert land, its small
Bibliography: Edge A, W and M Lekorwe H. Botswana:Politics and Society. J,L Van Schaik Publishers, 1998. Fritz V and Menocal R, A, (Re)building Developmental States:From Theory to Practice, Overseas Development Institute, 111 Westminster Bridge Road, London, 2006. Hillbom E, Diamonds or Development? A structural assessment of Botswana’s forty years of success, Journal of Modern African Studies, 46 (2), 191‐214, 2008. Hopkin A, G. Aspects of Educational Policy and Human Resource Development: The case of Botswana. Gaborone: University of Botswana, 1995. Leftwich A, Democracy and Development. USA: Polity Press, 1996. Meyns P, Musamba C. The Developmental State in Africa,Problems and Prospects. University of Duisburg-Essen: Institute for Development and Peace(INEF), 2010. Taylor, I. Ditiro Tsa Ditlhabololo ': Botswana As A Developmental State, Pula Botswana Journal of African Studies vol.17 (2003)