La gestion des ressources et l’ordre démocratique : L’expérience du Botswana

The document analyzes Botswana's 'miracle' of economic growth and political stability following the discovery of diamonds. It attributes this success to a professional, merit-based bureaucracy, the integration of traditional Tswana consultative values with modern democratic principles, and disciplined leadership. However, it warns that this image is challenged by persistent poverty, high income inequality (Gini index of 60.5), a 23.8% unemployment rate, and an over-reliance on diamond exports, which account for approximately one-third of the GDP.

• Botswana's economic success is linked to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), which integrated financial management with national development planning to ensure government revenues were tied to specific projects.
• The country avoided the 'resource curse' and high corruption seen elsewhere in Africa due to a professional bureaucracy and an elite class that did not view the state as a primary means of personal enrichment.
• A critical factor in Botswana's stability was the successful blending of modern democratic structures with traditional Tswana values of consultation and consensus.
• The partnership between the Botswana government and De Beers to form the De Beers Botswana Mining Company (DEBSWANA) established a 50/50 split in ownership and revenue, which is cited as a highly successful model for developing nations dealing with multinationals.
• Despite economic growth, Botswana faces severe socio-economic challenges, including a national poverty rate of approximately 47% and one of the world's highest income inequality levels, with a Gini index of about 60.5.
• The economy is dangerously dependent on mining, specifically diamonds, which represent about 80% of exports and 50% of government revenue, making the country vulnerable to global financial crises.
• The political system is characterized by an excessively powerful executive presidency that overshadows Parliament and is dominated by a single party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has held a majority since 1966.

APA

Sebudbudue, D., & Lotshwao, K. (2009). La gestion des ressources et l’ordre démocratique : L’expérience du Botswana. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Occasional-Paper-31-FR.pdf

Chicago

Sebudbudue, David, and Kebapetse Lotshwao. La gestion des ressources et l’ordre démocratique : L’expérience du Botswana. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2009. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Occasional-Paper-31-FR.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sebudbudue |first1=David |last2=Lotshwao |first2=Kebapetse |title=La gestion des ressources et l’ordre démocratique : L’expérience du Botswana |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=May 2009 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Occasional-Paper-31-FR.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sebudbudue2009gestion, author = {Sebudbudue, David and Lotshwao, Kebapetse}, title = {{La gestion des ressources et l’ordre démocratique : L’expérience du Botswana}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2009}, month = may, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Occasional-Paper-31-FR.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }