Calm
This week was a calm week in the office as most of my co-workers were either traveling or on vacation. This gave me time to focus on my Anglophone Africa research, and I am now working to draw any fair conclusions from the available data. While most of the countries who have adopted a Presidementary System did so as a power consolidation by an ambitious figure or group, countries like Botswana remain an outlier. Botswana is unique because it has had a Presidementary System since independence and is one of the most economically successful countries in Africa. My focus this week was to understand what makes it so unique. To this end, I researched the scholarly debate surrounding Botswana, read through the UK Hansard debates about Botswana’s independence, and found news sources on local opinion.
There is no definite consensus on why Botswana has been so successful where others have failed. Much of the research points to leaders who have held power responsibly throughout Botswana’s history. While only one political party has ever held power in Botswana, there is genuine competition in every election cycle. The opposition sees itself as a legitimate critic of the government in power, and there is no evidence of electoral manipulation. Despite the Presidementary system’s high proclivity for executive abuse, this has not been the case in Botswana. However, the legislature does feel left out of the process given the power of the executive. Only time will tell if Botswana has figured out the secret to the responsible exercise of power, or if they have just been incredibly fortunate in their leadership.
This weekend is a rest weekend for me. The weather has finally warmed up to feel like summer for the first time, and I have been enjoying staying in one place and relaxing (while planning my next week’s adventure at least).