The House of Chiefs and the Political Development of Botswana

A major problem encountered by the builders of many of the new states in Africa has been that of defining a satisfactory position for the traditional tribal authorities in a more integrated and democratic political system. In Botswana a solution has been sought not only at the level of local governm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of modern African studies 1968-05, Vol.6 (1), p.59-79
Main Author: Proctor, J. H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Councils
Houses
Local government
Parliaments
Political parties
Politicians
Protectorates
Tribal chiefs
Tribal constitutions
Tribal councils
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Summary:A major problem encountered by the builders of many of the new states in Africa has been that of defining a satisfactory position for the traditional tribal authorities in a more integrated and democratic political system. In Botswana a solution has been sought not only at the level of local government, where much of the Chiefs' power has been transferred to elected district councils, but also at the national level, where a House of Chiefs has been created to advise Government and Parliament. This body merits examination as a constructive effort to synthesise indigenous and imported institutions, and to accommodate the interests and demands of the hereditary rulers and their more conservative subjects, who remain deeply rooted in the tribal structure, in a manner which is acceptable to the new élite and their supporters, who are eager to modernise quickly.
ISSN:0022-278X
1469-7777
DOI:10.1017/S0022278X00016670