Why BDP Is Still In Power After Five Decades?

The rational choice model believes that voters do not vote along party lines. They vote for candidates and parties that they believe or think will maximise their interests. When Batswana see how Botswana is, they attribute the independence, democracy, freedom, services, ‘free health’, and ‘free education’ to the BDP and reward it.

In times of declining economic growth the votes for BDP have decreased. In 1989, the BDP obtained 65% of the vote and at that time the economy was favorable, but in 1994 the economic growth had declined and BDP obtained only 54.59% with the opposition gaining increased votes. But in 1999 the economy was favorable and the BDP’s total votes increased to 57% and those of opposition parties declined. The advantage of being in office also benefits BDP as Batswana have a difficult time differentiating between BDP and government resources. BDP uses state media; Radio and Television and platforms such as Kgotla to tell Batswana about the achievements of government and how government will continue working hard, and since Batswana see it as government and thus provider of resources they give it support.