In this installment of the Classical Liberalism 101 series, we examine one of the more over-looked countries (along with Chile and Lichtenstein, etc.) where the "experiment" of capitalism is again coming to fruition. It seems the deregulation and liberalization of economic policies works, no matter where. The viability of capitalism is not culturally or geographically restricted in any way. I say BRAVO to the Botswanan people for electing the right officials and keeping their feet to the fire!
Botswana — An Exemplary African Country
When Bulgarians talk about politics, they often give examples of different countries — many want their country to be more like the USA, or Switzerland, or Russia, or France, or Germany. What these countries have in common is that they are all white, European heritage countries — and few Bulgarians look elsewhere for an example. The author, on the other hand, is taking a look at a country which, in 50 years, has turned from abhorrently poor into one of the richest on its continent, through purposeful and pro-market right-wing policy. He is referring to Botswana, naturally.
As a British colony until 1965 and an independent state from the following year on, this fairly young country was in quite an unenviable situation upon gaining its political independence. With a territory of 581,730 sq. kilometers (224,607 sq. miles — comparable in size to countries such as the Ukraine and Spain), a population of 413,000 people in 1950-‘51, and almost no infrastructure (there were hardly any roads, waterworks, dams, hospitals, any other buildings except huts, or even cities at the time), the country was in an extremely undeveloped state and was literally one of the poorest in the world. People there lived the same way their ancestors had since the Stone Age, thousands of years ago.
Nevertheless, intelligent people who valued freedom took command of the country and instituted a pro-market policy. The conservative and Christian Democratic Botswana Democratic Party has continuously ruled the country, winning all the elections since — thanks to good economic results. Nowadays, Botswana is second in economic freedom on the African continent — after the island of Mauritius — and its population has increased to 2.2 million. The country continues to be extremely low-populated when compared to the region and even to the whole world, but its citizens enjoy a very high living standard for the region — which is above the world average.
Just a generation ago, Botswanans were fleeing their country in search of a better life in the richer and more settled countries of South Africa and Rhodesia, but with left-wing parties coming to power in both, the economic experiments there became more and more absurd. Renamed to Zimbabwe by the communist dictator, Robert Mugabe, former Rhodesia has been suffering under the largest hyperinflation in world history, and South Africa has turned from a former nuclear power into a deteriorating country, where white farmers are literally being subjected to genocide.
Botswana’s government, however, has not given in to the economic populism of its neighbors and has continued its development, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The results have been quick in the making, and the once poor desert country has caught up with its neighbors — and is even outdoing them.
Nowadays, the country can serve as an example even to Bulgaria, which was much richer than Botswana 10, 20, or 30 years ago — but which today is nearly equal in terms of wealth, despite Bulgaria’s economic growth. And to many who think Africans are poor due to laziness and innate negative qualities, it might be a good idea to rethink their positions and follow Botswana’s example of implementing a decades-long policy of continuous and straightforward liberalization of markets and freedom — because the results we will reap can never be too late in the coming, no matter where we live.
What do you think? Would your country benefit from such policies? Where would your classical liberal paradise be? Leave your comments below :)
Ciao за now!
Written by Georgi Draganov, translated by Pavel Valkanov, edited by moi. Original Link
I think Botswana's wealth has more to do with the discovery of diamonds in 1967, two years after its hard-won victory for independence, than with any particular political ideology.
Then why don't the other resource-rich countries of Africa find themselves in the same position?
I think it's a very complex issue, often bound up with neocolonialism. British and multinational mining companies are making fortunes in many African countries (and elsewhere in the world). "Foreign aid" is often used to grease the path for these industries, sometimes shoring up corrupt leaders who look favourably on foreign mining concerns. Maybe the fact that the diamonds were discovered after Botswana became independent helped.
Interesting.
Didn't know so much about Botswana yet I'm African. Thanks for sharing
I'm glad you learned something along with the rest of us. Maybe you can tell us what reputation Botswana has in Africa?
I can't say much, but I do know that their diamond is the reason for high Gdp. Botswana is among the top comfortable African country to live in.
Interesting. Where else is nice in Africa?
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