In many African countries, the possibilities for democratisation are being strongly opposed by authoritarian and corrupt tendencies from within inherited institutions and new ruling elites. This volume interrogates the structures of social change, civil society, the working classes and ruling and competing elites in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. It considers positive and negative examples of accountable, open and ethical government and the arguments that are presented to explain the distinctions, which have emerged between Botswana and its neighbours. It further posits that whilst the south may be described as the most liberally democratic region of Africa, this does not obscure the limitations of the liberal model, and the need to broaden the definition and practice of democracy in the region.