Reasonable Radicals and Citizenship in Botswana: The Public Anthropology of Kalanga Elites

Are self-interested elites the curse of liberal democracy in Africa? Isthere hope against the politics of the belly, kleptocracies, vampire states, failedstates, and Afro-pessimism? In Reasonable Radicals and Citizenship in Botswana, Richard Werbner examines a rare breed of powerful political elites who are nottyrants, torturers, or thieves. Werbner's focus is on the Kalanga, a minority ethnicgroup that has served Botswana in business and government since independence.Kalanga elites have expanded public services, advocated causes for the public good, founded organizations to build the public sphere and civil society, and forgedpartnerships and alliances with other ethnic groups in Botswana. Gathering evidencefrom presidential commissions, land tribunals, landmark court cases, and hislifetime relationship with key Kalanga elites, Werbner shows how a critical press, cosmopolitanism, entrepreneurship, accountability, and the values of patriarchy andelderhood make for an open society with strong, capable government. Werbner's workprovides a refreshing alternative to those who envision no future for Africa beyondpersistent agony and lack of development.