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Democracy and the feedback mechanism in Botswana

Author

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  • Sophia du Plessis

    (Department of Economics, University of Stellenbosch)

Abstract

No country knows what the right policy choices are because we live in a world of uncertainty. One way to improve policy choices is to ensure a good feedback mechanism. With feedback, current policy choices might be altered to ensure a better fit with prevailing circumstances. Botswana seems to be an interesting case study, where the deportation of a well-known academic placed a lid on its history of openness and public debate. This paper explores why a government respected for good management would choose to display such signs of autocracy, and how it is possible within the prevailing government institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophia du Plessis, 2007. "Democracy and the feedback mechanism in Botswana," Working Papers 10/2007, Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:sza:wpaper:wpapers41
    as

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    File URL: https://www.ekon.sun.ac.za/wpapers/2007/wp102007/wp-10-2007.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2007
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. North, Douglass C., "undated". "The Process of Economic Change," WIDER Working Papers 295452, United Nations University, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    2. Balefi Tsie, 1996. "The political context of Botswana's development performance," Journal of Southern African Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 599-616.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Poverty; Botswana; Botswana government; Democracy; Feedback mechanism; Institutions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N17 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Africa; Oceania
    • N47 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Africa; Oceania
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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