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recognized autonomy since 1980, the year in which the United Kingdom repealed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