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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Democratic Pluralism and Economic Crisis in Botswana
Author:Yeager, Rodger D.
Year:1989
Periodical:Journal of Developing Areas
Volume:23
Issue:3
Period:April
Pages:385-404
Language:English
Geographic term:Botswana
Subjects:patronage
agricultural policy
environment
Economics and Trade
Politics and Government
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
Development and Technology
External links:https://www.jstor.org/stable/4191768
http://search.proquest.com/pao/docview/1311641921
Abstract:This article examines the politics of cattle, natural resources, and environment in modern Botswana. Here the public sector functions as a politically representative patronage system, distributing basic necessities and livestock resources to maintain vertical and horizontal linkages of support within society. Cattle, land, and water are also allocated to maintain electoral support for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party, whose cattle-owning elites preserve the commons approach to livestock production by maintaining ultimate control over the public-policy process. Relative losers in this relationship are those who own few or no cattle, but who receive other amenities such as improved education, health care, and food in times of drought. The only absolute loser is the Botswana environment, which is rapidly becoming unable to support either the patronage system or the country's wealth of indigenous plants and animals. An urgent purpose of African policy research is to help identify public-choice alternatives that are as politically effective as they are technically and economically efficient. Notes, ref.
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