Limited freedom and intolerance in Botswana

Abstract

Botswana has held ten successive formal elections without fail since independence in 1966. The country has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries at independence to an upper middle income one. On the basis of these, Botswana has been regarded as a political and economic model that has been largely praised for the resilience of her democratic institutions, respect for civil liberties, a high degree of political tolerance and an economic success story by African standards. To this extent, Botswana has been perceived as exceptional compared to most African countries. This paper argues that despite having won international acclaim as an African ‘success miracle’, freedom and tolerance in the country exist within the limits set by the state. It is argued that there is limited freedom and growing intolerance of dissenting views by the political leadership. The Botswana state therefore perfectly fits the model of ‘authoritarian liberalism (Good 1996).

Keywords:

• democracy
• freedom
• tolerance
• miracle
• model
• elections

Notes

1. Good v Attorney General 2005. 2BLR 337.

2. Gomolemo Motswaledi v Botswana Democratic Party, Ian Khama and Others, CACLB-053-09 (not yet unreported).

3. Media Publishing (Pty) Ltd v Attorney General and Another 2001. 2BLR.

4. Media Publishing (Pty) Ltd v Attorney General and Another 2001, 494–5.