Sustaining the developmental state and moving towards a developed state in Botswana

Abstract

African countries that emerged from colonialism as poor then adopted developmental states to direct their economic development. Using an interpretivist research philosophy, a survey research strategy and document analysis, this descripto-explanatory article asks two research questions: how did the developmental state emerge in Botswana; and how can Botswana sustain the developmental state and, subsequently, move beyond it and graduate into the ranks of high-income developed states? The article finds that the poor state of underdevelopment at independence in September 1966 forced the choice of a developmental state into the hands of Botswana. Furthermore, the discovery of high-value minerals, particularly diamonds, coupled with a prudent mineral management policy, helped Botswana to finance a development state. The article further argues that for Botswana to move beyond the development state, there is a need to adopt initiatives such as mainstreaming the developed state ideal into...