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Weak civil society in a hard state: Lessons from Africa

2005; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 1; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/17448680500337574

1744-8697

Maurizio Carbone,

International Development and Aid

Abstract This paper investigates the role of civil society in Botswana within the broader context of the state–civil society dynamic in Africa. It is argued that, like other countries in Africa, civil society in Botswana is rather weak. Conversely, unlike other countries in Africa, a weak civil society is accompanied by a hard state. Thanks to wise leadership, Botswana has experienced remarkable economic growth rates and significant improvements in human development over a period of about four decades. Botswana is also considered a ‘shining liberal democracy’, with elections held every five years, an independent judiciary system, and low levels of corruption. Yet it has been a democratic system with a weak civil society. Four main reasons are provided: first, the political culture makes it difficult to question authority; second, it is arduous to mobilize citizens because of the culture of dependency created by the clientelistic state; third, the Government has for a long time denied—and still does—the role of civil society as a legitimate player in the development process; fourth, civil society is not a cohesive group and lacks funds, especially the advocacy groups. Keywords: Botswanacivil societystate–civil society relationstraditional authoritymedia Notes 1. When it became independent in 1966, the agriculture sector accounted for some 40% of the GDP and beef was the only significant export. Between 1966 and 1980, Botswana's gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual rate of 14.5 %, and was for a long time one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. During the 1990s, as global integration intensified, Botswana's growth slowed, but its GDP still rose by slightly below 10% a year (Picard, Citation1985; Good, Citation1992; Hope, Citation1996). 2. HIV/AIDS has substantial implications for the economy as it mostly affects the skilled and productive sections of the population; moreover, it has serious consequences for public spending as the increased demand for healthcare from people with HIV-related illness is over-stretching the public health system, causing Government spending to rise sharply. 3. In fact, contrary to what occurs in other countries in the region (Okoku, Citation2003), the Church in Botswana not only does not participate actively in political life but actually supports the ruling party in its prayers and excludes the opposition (Daily News, 8 October 2004). 4. Unlike other countries in the world, the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) was not formed by an independent union initiative, but was founded by the Government with the intention of controlling trade unions (Maruatona, Citation1999). 5. Author's interview with Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of Balete, first woman paramount chief as well as first woman to chair the House of Chiefs, Gaborone, March 2003. 6. In addition to the Daily Paper, the state owns the two major radio stations (RB1 and RB2) and the only television channel (BTV), created only in 2000. In the private sector, there is a new daily paper, Mmegi, created only in October 2003 and a series of weekly papers. Moreover, as a consequence of the liberalization of broadcasting by the Botswana Telecommunication Authority (BTA), a few independent radios now transmit, although RB is the only one to transmit nation-wide. 7. Two recent examples may suffice. Firstly, following an article accusing Vice-President Khama of abusing his authority, in May 2001 all Government offices were ordered to stop advertising in two independent papers (Botswana Guardian and Midweek Sun). Considering that the Government is the major advertiser in independent publications, the loss of revenues was a serious threat to the existence of those two publications. The High Court eventually overruled the ban, stating that it violated the newspapers’ constitutional right of freedom of expression by influencing the newspapers editorial policies. Secondly, in 2003 a phone-in segment of Radio Botswana morning program was suspended by the Government because of the fear of public criticism to the ruling party. Author's interviews with Modise Maphanyane, director of the Botswana chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), and Clara Olson, chair of the new Press Council, Gaborone, March 2003. 8. Author's interview with Keboitse Machangana, leader of Emang Basadi, Gaborone, March 2003. 9. In some cases the Government has initiated groups, including cooperatives, farmers organizations, and parent–teacher organizations (e.g., Botswana Civil Service Association; Botswana Teachers Union). When groups do arise on their own (church, youth, sport groups) they are often manipulated by the Government through substantial grants. Since these groups owe a large portion of their funds to the Government they do not challenge the Government view (Molutsi & Holm, Citation1990). 10. Author's interview with Keboitse Machangana, Gaborone, Gaborone, March 2003. 11. Interview with Ketlomilwe Moletsane, executive secretary of the Botswana Council of NGOs (BOCONGO), Gaborone, March 2003. 12. Author's interview with Mompati Meraphe Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gaborone, March 2003. 13. Author's interview with Alice Mgowe, director of Ditswanelo, Gaborone, March 2003. 14. In 1996, on the occasion marking the country's 30 years of independence, the then President, H. E. Sir Ketumile Masire, launched the “Framework for a Long-Term Vision for Botswana”. After extensive nation-wide consultation, the framework was developed into a document: “Vision 2016: Towards Prosperity for All”,which sets out the long-term goals for the people of Botswana, identifying the challenges implied by those goals and proposing a set of strategies to meet them. Botswana's development plans are based upon four principles: democracy, development, self-reliance, and unity. A new principle has been introduced: Botho, which is a Setswana (the national language) word for respect, good manners.