Democracy and the feedback mechanism in Botswana

Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP10/2007
Publication date: 2007
Author(s):
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.

JEL Classification:

N17, N47, O38

Keywords:

Poverty, Botswana, Botswana government, Democracy, Feedback mechanism, Institutions

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