Limited freedom and intolerance in Botswana

Bibliographic Data

ID11423356
AuthorsMokganedi Zara Botlhomilwe (University of Botswana), David Sebudubudu (0000-0002-3619-6071, University of Botswana, corresponding author), Bugalo Maripe (University of Botswana)
Year2011
Volume29
Issue3
Pages331-348
Publication date2011-07-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Contemporary African Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0258-9001 • E-ISSN: 1469-9397
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02589001.2011.581501
OpenAlexW1980566651
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited16

Botswana has held ten successive formal elections without fail since independence in 1966. The country has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries at independence to an upper middle income one. On the basis of these, Botswana has been regarded as a political and economic model that has been largely praised for the resilience of her democratic institutions, respect for civil liberties, a high degree of political tolerance and an economic success story by African standards. To this extent, Botswana has been perceived as exceptional compared to most African countries. This paper argues that despite having won international acclaim as an African ‘success miracle’, freedom and tolerance in the country exist within the limits set by the state. It is argued that there is limited freedom and growing intolerance of dissenting views by the political leadership. The Botswana state therefore perfectly fits the model of ‘authoritarian liberalism (Good 1996)

Development economics · Economics · Political economy · Political science · Socioeconomics · Historical and Contemporary Political Dynamics · Human Rights and Development · Political Conflict and Governance

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