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.
Review quotes
An absolutely first-class piece of work. This is a splendid achievement, the book will certainly be extremely useful to students and scholars working on Botswana, and of wide interest to others because of the extraordinary success of Botswana. Professor Charles Harvey, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex
An informative, well-written book, the only one that tries to pose and answer the question of why Botswana prospered. Henry Rempel, professor of economics, University of Manitoba
J. Clark Leith is professor emeritus, economics, University of Western Ontario. He is author of Ghana: Structural Adjustment Experience and has served for several years in senior advisory positions in the Botswana Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Bank of Botswana.
