Despite the controversy that surrounds Botswana’s foreign policy especially with regard to its recent outbursts when critiquing other states often deviating from regional resolutions, University of Botswana Political Science scholar Dr Gladys Mokhawa is of the view that it is not all bad as recently projected by many. Speaking during a panel discussion on 50 years of Botswana Foreign policy organised and hosted by the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation and the University of Botswana, Dr Mokhawa said diplomacy in its form is multifaceted and often structured to suit the current environment and needs of a particular state. “There has to be understanding that foreign policy is not built upon some abstractions but rather the result of practical conceptions of national interest. In essence; practical diplomacy demonstrates that states act in a pragmatic manner: pursuing short-term and long-term objectives in their external relations; mixing ethical and normative principles into what is essentially the country’s pursuit of self-interest,” said Dr. Mokhawa. According to the UB scholar, the nature and operation of diplomacy in a transformational international environment through the lenses provided by representational structures and processes not only imposes constraints on states but also provide opportunities. On how Botswana can…
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