Why Botswana Prospered

by J. Clark Leith

While most of Africa has been described as a political and economic disaster zone, Botswana stands out as a democracy that has had rapid economic growth for more than three decades. Clark Leith traces the evolution of Botswana's economic policies and democratic political systems and the forces that have shaped them since the country achieved independence in 1966.

Leith shows that while other African nations with resources failed to develop economically Botswana prospered because economic interests, working within a democratic political system anchored in tradition, tempered by leadership, and shaped by evolution of effective institutions, promoted growth.

Genres: Botswana, Africa

168 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Botswana has acted as a beacon of light in an area of the world in which darkness has dominated in the form of poverty, illness and corruption for much of contemporary history. As someone who has lived in and fallen in love with the country, I found this book to be a well researched, very informative read. Leith does a very thorough job in addressing in satisfactory detail all his proposed reasons for his answer to the titled question: "Why Botswana Prospered" - and I thank God that it did.

[Neo_classical · Rating 3 out of 5]

good study on the importance of honest and competent governance, cultural homogeneity, growth based policies and high institutional trust in order to destroy both the far left and far right's narratives

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess this was probably someone’s PhD thesis rather than a stand alone non fiction

[Mills College Library]

330.96883 L5336 2005