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RE: Classical Liberalism 101: Take 8 -- If You Like Liberty So Much, Why Don't You Move to ... Botswana?
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.