A Coalition for Change? Role Orientations in the 12th Parliament of Botswana

Anja Osei and Batlang Seabo

Journal of Southern African Studies, 2024, vol. 50, issue 4, 643-663

Abstract: Botswana’s parliamentary democracy features a weak parliament that is ineffective in law making and executive oversight. Conventional explanations emphasise a dominant party system that emerged following independence, lack of operational independence from the executive, and the poor capacity of parliament as factors that undermine its effectiveness. Using a novel dataset that is based on interviews with Members of Parliament (MPs) on a wide range of issues, including their role orientations, this article tests several interrelated hypotheses to investigate whether there is an emerging coalition for change. The article finds that there is a group of opposition MPs that constitutes a coalition for change because they are reform oriented, discuss parliamentary affairs and exercise executive oversight. We argue that this coalition for change is marked by a connected communication structure. The study furthers our understanding of the functioning of parliament as a core institution of Botswana’s democracy.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1080/03057070.2024.2476901

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