Economic Development In Zimbabwe

Economic Development in Zimbabwe


The country of Zimbabwe is one of the most economically developed on the African

continent . A fairly young political entity, Zimbabwe has only enjoyed

recognized autonomy since 1980, the year in which the United Kingdom repealed

its imperialistic claims to the African nation . Despite its youth the country

has achieved a level of economic development uncharacteristic of sub-Saharan

African nations. Second only to South Africa in economic development, Zimbabwe's

economic system is one indicative of a transitional country, a country making

the transition from dependency underdevelopment to self-reliant

industrialization. The purpose of this essay is to make a cursory but adequate

examination of Zimbabwean socio-economic and political system, as means to

analyzing the countries economic development. The ultimate purpose of this study

is to provide a model of the structure necessary to achieve economic development

where none previously existed. Zimbabwe is an appropriate model because the

dynamics of underdevelopment to development in this country are readily apparent.

This model can be useful in understanding underdevelopment in other so called

"third-world" countries and in determining what is necessary for these countries

to make the transition to industrialization.


Geography


Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in the southern, sub-Saharan area of the

African continent bordered by South Africa to the South, Botswana to the West,

Mozambique to the East and Zambia to the North. With an area of 391,090 km2

Zimbabwe is only slightly larger than the state of Colorado. Harare is

Zimbabwe's capital and largest city with a population of 1,100,000. Containing

vast amounts of rare mineralogical resources and possessing a favorable growing

climate Zimbabwe's economy is drawn almost equally between the mining of

minerals ($2.2 billion) and the production of staples and cash crops ($2.1

billion) .


People


Zimbabweans are comprised of two primary ethnic groups, the Shona, comprising

74% of the population and the Ndebele comprising 20%. Other ethnic black groups

and Asians make up 4% of the population while whites make up just over 1% of the

population. Zimbabwe has a population of 10.35 million people with a population

density of 24 persons per km2. 1992 census figures estimate Zimbabwe's growth at

3.0% with 90% of this growth rate within the Shona group. This 3.0% growth is

quite rapid given its relation to the countries declining annual growth rate of

-15% .


History


Zimbabwe's history dates back to the 9th century A.D., the believed period in

which many great buildings were built, buildings clearly indicative of an early

and great civilization. Of the many sites the most impressive is the Great Stone

House or Great Zimbabwe the source of the countries name. Despite the impressive

nature of the Great Zimbabwe and the other building sites, it is believed that

the civilization that created them did not survive to see the new millennium .


Some 900 years after the construction of the Great Zimbabwe many other sights

were built as Zimbabwe became the object of British colonialism in 1888. It was

in this year that John Cecil Rhodes obtained mineral rights for the British

throne and began the process of bringing Zimbabwe home to Great Britain. Pleased

with his accomplishment the throne honored Rhodes by lending his name to the

area, now calling it Rhodesia. Headed by Rhodes the British South Africa Company

(BSA) was chartered in 1889 with the responsibility of colonizing the areas of

Northern and Southern Rhodesia and bringing back to the Kingdom the vast

mineralogical resources Rhodesia had to offer .


Although a colony, throughout the existence of its charter Rhodesia enjoyed

self-governing and perceived autonomy. The United Kingdom reserved the right to

intervene in the policies of Rhodesia at any prompting, but this right was

rarely employed leaving Rhodesia's autonomy all but assumed. The perceived

autonomy the nation enjoyed allowed foThis is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Electronic References. Please register below now!


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