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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The State, Interest Groups and Structural Adjustment in Zimbabwe
Author:Skålnes, TorISNI
Year:1993
Periodical:Journal of Development Studies
Volume:29
Issue:3
Period:April
Pages:401-428
Language:English
Geographic term:Zimbabwe
Subjects:industry
economic policy
agriculture
Development and Technology
Economics and Trade
Politics and Government
External link:https://doi.org/10.1080/00220389308422282
Abstract:In 1990, the government of Zimbabwe, led by the proclaimed Marxist-Leninist President Robert Mugabe, embarked upon a World Bank-sponsored Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP). Certain interest groups exercised considerable influence on the government in the making of the programme. Despite 25 years of protection, the manufacturing sector has lobbied for the reform. The agricultural sector is divided between commercial farmers, who favour economic liberalization, and small-scale farmers, who do not. This article searches for an explanation of the shift in economic strategy. The main argument is that, contrary to a certain body of theory emphasizing the need for State autonomy in the process of economic development, interest groups can be a force for liberalization under certain circumstances. Interest groups in Zimbabwe seem generally to be able to formulate coherent but flexible overall policy positions despite internal differences. The case of Zimbabwe illustrates that broad-based, centralized interest groups sometimes favour policies which may increase their members' productivity and efficiency as opposed to policies that mainly achieve some redistribution of existing wealth. Bibliogr., sum.
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