From Publishers Weekly
Chikuhwa chronicles Zimbabwe's bleak history since the nation (then Rhodesia) achieved independence from Great Britain in 1980. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Chikuhwa devotes the first part of his analysis to his nation's vexed constitutional history. After outlining constitutions set up under British rule and then under a white minority government, the author focuses in detail on the 1979 "Lancaster House Constitution" of the Republic of Zimbabwe and how the new government, dominated by the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front, or ZANU (PF), and headed by President Robert Mugabe, enacted radical constitutional amendments that gave Mugabe far-reaching presidential powers. Chikuhwa shows how Mugabe's government quickly adopted a Marxist-Leninist style of authoritarianism, and documents widespread corruption, government intolerance of criticism, coercive tactics regarding voting, and the irresponsible manipulation of land redistribution. As many have done, he accuses Mugabe's government of nepotism, corruption and "blatant disregard for accepted ethical commercial practice." The second part of Chikuhwa's study focuses on how corruption and a lack of transparency and accountability in Zimbabwe's governance have intensified social problems, crime and poverty, and have alienated the IMF and World Bank as well as potential foreign investors. Chikuhwa analyzes this "quagmire" industry by industry, making recommendations for economic improvements. Chikuhwa's study, rich in statistical data and heartfelt commentary, will serve as a useful introduction to Zimbabwe's society, economics and recent history. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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