I argue that the economic success of Botswana can be explained by the historical development of its institutions which … focus on the development of state institutions. Though Botswana inherited different institutions from elsewhere, it also …

Botswana has had the highest rate of per-capita growth of any country in the world in the last 35 years. This occurred … despite adverse initial conditions, including minimal investment during the colonial period and high inequality. Botswana … achieved this rapid development by following orthodox economic policies. How Botswana sustained these policies is a puzzle …

Our analysis begins with the puzzle: how did Botswana develop a legal-rational state? We suggest that three key …