Jorich Johann Loubser

Researcher

Jorich Johann Loubser is a doctoral candidate in Development Economics and International Development at the London School of Economics (LSE), where he is in the final stages of completing his PhD. Born and raised in Qonce (formerly King William’s Town), he completed his secondary education at Dale College. His subsequent academic studies and qualifications span three institutions. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) and a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Honours degree in Economics, both from the University of Cape Town. He then enrolled at the LSE, obtaining an MSc in Development Studies. This was followed by an MSc in African Studies at the University of Oxford, and his dissertation was awarded the Oxford African Studies Prize for outstanding research. He then returned to the LSE, where he obtained an MRes in International Development and subsequently registered for a PhD.

His doctoral research examines the relationship between transnational mining companies and African states. The central case study is an analysis of the historical relationship between the government of Botswana and the De Beers diamond mining company. The thesis offers a new account of Botswana’s diamond-led development and the role of the state in disciplining capital, providing a political economy framework for theorising the nature of state power.