While most of Africa has been described as a political and economic disaster zone, Botswana stands out as a democracy that has had rapid economic growth for more than three decades. Clark Leith traces the evolution of Botswana's economic policies and democratic political systems and the forces that have shaped them since the country achieved independence in 1966. Leith shows that while other African nations with resources failed to develop economically Botswana prospered because economic interests, working within a democratic political system anchored in tradition, tempered by leadership, and shaped by evolution of effective institutions, promoted growth.