Evaluating the Standards of "Success"

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The Good reading illuminates some interesting points of praise of Botswana as a “stable” and “successful” African nation. Although Botswana has experienced stable, consistent growth since their independence, the standards by which the nation’s success is measured doesn’t account for the deep inequalities created by this system in both income and property. This deep division between classes is a large flaw in a system that will inevitably result in political turmoil at some point in the future. This also puts Botswana’s economy and the nation as a whole at risk.

Good uses Botswana as an example, however his theory of accounting for class inequalities created by the structural issues of policy could be applied to other African nations regarded as success stories; for example, Uganda. However, it is the case of South Africa that lends credibility to Good’s argument. Although the nation has become a macroeconomic giant in the region, “laying the foundation for sustained growth and development” (Blogs – World Bank, 2009), it has been torn apart by class issues, divided by both socio-economic and racial standards.

            I don’t believe we should completely shun nor disregard claims of praise for nations like Botswana, nor should their great advances towards a stable economy and political environment be ignored. However, I believe articles like Good’s create a discourse about the standards by which we measure/quantify success in developing nations. Perhaps we should not only reevaluate how “success” is defined, but also, as the article suggests use the standards by which we measure stability to develop creative solutions to social, political, and economic issues on a national scale.

            Although some of the methods utilized by the people of Botswana may not work in other regions, aspects of the solution can be applicable to another solution more appropriate for a different nation. Through critical analysis of standards of “success” and the methods used to achieve them, we can aim to develop strategies for use in other scenarios, in other nations.

Blogs - World Bank. (2009, September 7). [Web log message]. http://blogs.worldbank.org/africacan/african-successes-listing-the-success-stories