This is a major study of Zimbabwean social movements that undercuts any simple binary between "good" and "bad" civic players in Zimbabwe politics. The book critically examines both those movements close to the ruling party and those opposed to it, setting out the dynamics of their organizational and mobilisation processes and the consequences of their interventions.
Brian Raftopoulos, Director ... Read moreof Research, Solidarity Peace Trust This is an important book that comes at the right time as it addresses the complex nature of social change and conflict transformation. Unlike much of the literature focusing on elite actors or NGOs, this analysis systematically analyzes the crucial national civil society movements representing concerns of the majority of Zimbabweans. The author develops an innovative research framework, conceptualizing social change in a way that makes it methodologically measurable. Her grounded empirical research provides lessons for scholars of civil society, peacebuilding and democratization, and policy-makers beyond the case of Zimbabwe, and in doing so addresses the needs of IR scholars and students, peace and conflict as well as democracy theorists. The book is equally important for those studying civil society and also enriches the conflicting scholarly debate on civil society in Africa.
Thania Paffenholz, IPTI, Graduate Institute, Geneva/Switzerland This book provides rich empirical details on the competing narratives regarding the evolution of Zimbabwe's social movements since the social crisis-entailing deteriorating employment, incomes, and social services-resulting from the negative economic impacts of neoliberal policies adopted in 1990. It tracks the emergence of counter social movements mainly since the escalation of domestic political polarization over constitutional reform in 2000, and the subsequent confrontations between the Zimbabwe state (in alliance with land movements) and international capital (in alliance with key governance reform NGOs). It broadens the debate over how contemporary civil society organizations develop different as well as common strategies, even with contrasting historical, social, and ideological roots. It also traces how social movements and intellectuals, seeking both structural and "governance" reforms, became polarized over opposed struggles for radical redistributive land reforms and liberal constitutional reforms.
Sam Moyo, Executive Director of African Institute for Agrarian Studies; President of CODESRIA Show Less