As with the linkage between the government and Debswana in the economy, an accompanying duopoly exists between presidentialism and the preponderant ruling party in Botswana's government and politics. This authoritarian state system was legitimised by the past, quickly established in the nation-state at independence and extended thereafter. Presidential successions have occurred smoothly on two occasions, over the heads of the people. Regular parliamentary elections have never produced a change of government and are equally notable for their low turnout of eligible voters. This unusual quasi-democratic system has passed for normalcy in Botswana, until it was first challenged in the mid-1990s. A second automatic transition in the presidency occurs in 2008.

The characteristics of Botswana's politics were emulated by Namibia after 1990 and by South Africa four years later. While the southern African region is both the most developed economically and the most democratic in the continent, such duopoly represents regional democracy at the state level. On its record to date, it is a system which discourages opposition and delays change

Autocracy then and now

State power is centralised in Botswana in the person and office of the executive president. He is at once head of state, head of government, leader of the ruling party and commander-in-chief of the military.