Regional Integration As a Means for Achieving National Interests: The Case of Botswana.

Abstract

Botswana gained independence in 1966 and was immediately faced with an enormous task of development since the country was very poor and depended largely on external aid. Ironically much of this grants in aid was British. Political turmoil in neighboring countries and Botswana's economic fragility did not make anything easy. National power was almost nonexistent, and Botswana tended more to the use of diplomacy, regional and even international fora in pursuit of her national interests. To some extent, these endeavors were successful even though there were occasional socioeconomic and political setbacks. With positive changes that have occurred in the regional and international climate, diplomacy, and inter-state joint efforts have proved to be the most viable and less costly avenues for countries to pursue. To this end, joint regional efforts within SADC are the best way to go for players in the Southern African 'region.'

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA319340

Entities

People

  • Matenge C. Thekiso

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Economic Systems
  • European Communities
  • European Union
  • Foreign Relations
  • Geography
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Investments
  • Law
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Negotiations
  • Teamwork
  • Treaties

Readers

  • International Relations, focusing on Korea-Africa and North Korea-South Korea relations, and Nigeria-Latin American Relations.
  • Strategic Security Studies