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Continuity and Change in Botswana's Democracy

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Continuity and Change in Botswana's Democracy Continuity and Change in Botswana’s Democracy: An Assessment of the Presidency A Minor Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Social Science in International Relations Boikanyo Gaone Modungwa MDNBOI001 Department of Political Studies Facultyy of the of Humanities Cape Town University of Cape Town 2014 Universit COMPULSORY DECLARATION This work has not been previously submitted in whole, or in part, for the award of any degree. It is my own work. Each significant contribution to, and quotation in this dissertation from the work, or works, of other people has been attributed, and has been cited and referenced. Signature: _________________ Date: 17 February 2014 Boikanyo Gaone Modungwa The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town “O se bone tholwana borethe, teng ga yone go a baba.” All that glitters is not gold. For Sarah Modungwa 1914 – 2013 i Table of Contents Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures & Tables ........................................................................................................... iv List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. v Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... vi Map: Republic of Botswana..................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1 .............................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Literature on Botswana’s Presidency ..................................................................................... 4 Aims of the Study ................................................................................................................... 6 Significance of the Study ....................................................................................................... 6 Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter Outline .................................................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................................................ 12 Centralised Power: An Explanation ......................................................................................... 12 Botswana’s Political Economy............................................................................................. 12 Constitutionalism & the Separation of Powers in Botswana ............................................... 15 A Powerful Presidency, the Executive & Weak Parliament ............................................ 19 Endurance of Presidential Hegemony .................................................................................. 27 Formation of the Constitution........................................................................................... 27 Weak Civil Society & Political Culture in Botswana ....................................................... 29 Botswana Democratic Party Dominance & Lack of Internal Democracy ........................ 36 Weak Opposition .............................................................................................................. 39 International Image ........................................................................................................... 40 CHAPTER 3 ............................................................................................................................ 44 Appointment Powers and the International Dimension ........................................................... 44 Appointment Powers ............................................................................................................ 44 The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) ................................................................ 46 The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) ........................................ 48 The Ombudsman............................................................................................................... 49 Foreign Affairs ..................................................................................................................... 51 Botswana - Africa Relations ............................................................................................. 53 Botswana and the Rest of the World ................................................................................ 55 ii CHAPTER 4 ............................................................................................................................ 59 The Presidents .......................................................................................................................... 59 Sir Seretse Khama ................................................................................................................ 60 Appointment Powers ........................................................................................................ 61 Foreign Policy................................................................................................................... 63 Sir Ketumile Masire ............................................................................................................. 64 Appointment Powers ........................................................................................................ 66 Foreign Policy................................................................................................................... 67 Festus Mogae........................................................................................................................ 68 Appointment Powers ........................................................................................................ 69 Foreign Policy................................................................................................................... 70 Ian Khama ............................................................................................................................ 71 Appointment Powers ........................................................................................................ 73 Foreign Policy................................................................................................................... 75 CHAPTER 5 ............................................................................................................................ 78 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 78 References ................................................................................................................................ 83 iii List of Figures & Tables Tables TABLE 1: VOTING AGE POPULATION TURN OUT (%) IN NATIONAL ELECTIONS (1965 - 2009) ...... 31 TABLE 2: CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX (CPI) BOTSWANA (2005 – 2013) .................................... 42 TABLE 3: PRESIDENTS AND VICE-PRESIDENTS OF BOTSWANA 1966 - PRESENT ............................. 59 TABLE 4: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AFFECTING PRESIDENTIAL POWER .......................... 79 Figures FIGURE 1: PERCENTAGE OF CABINET MEMBERS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (1966-2012) ...... 24 FIGURE 2: TRUST IN IMPORTANT POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS (%) ........................................................ 35 FIGURE 3: BDP AND OPPOSITION SEATS IN PARLIAMENT UNDER FPTP............................................ 37 iv List of Abbreviations AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AU African Union BAM Botswana Alliance Movement BDF Botswana Defence Force BDP Botswana Democratic Party BMD Botswana Movement for Democracy BNF Botswana National Front BCP Botswana Congress Party BMD Botswana Movement for Democracy BPP Botswana Peoples Party DCEC Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime GDP Gross Domestic Product HIV Human Immune-Deficiency Virus IEC Independent Electoral Commission JSC Judicial Service Commission MP Member of Parliament NEPAD New Partnership for Africa’s Development SADC Southern African Development Community v Abstract This study presents an analysis of the presidency in Botswana from 1966 to 2013. It explores the character of presidential power, how that power has been used since 1966 and how the presidency has changed over the past five decades. The paper traces the constitutional, institutional and external and internal socio-political dynamics that have facilitated the centralisation of power in the presidency. It further explores the relationship between the presidency and institutions established to deepen Botswana’s democracy. Lastly, it explores each President’s tenure. It concludes that the presidency remains an impediment
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