Out of the Rabble: Ending the Global Economic Crisis by Understanding the Zimbabwean Experience

Out of the Rabble begins with an analysis of the Zimbabwean economic situation today. Zimbabwe, once referred to as Africa’s jewel, has, for thirty-two years since independence in 1980, orbited in economic mediocrity, having repeatedly failed to grow her economy. To some extent the situation can be likened to the current global situation of a recession that has been variously described as deep and recurrent. Zimbabwe failed to break out into an economic growth trajectory, falling behind Singapore, Malaysia, and Kenya, countries that used to be in the same development league.

At the top of its economic problems was a declining manufacturing industry, leading to unemployment, budget deficits, and a financial and banking crisis. The consequent social problems led to the infamous land redistribution programme, leading to a political crisis and international disputes that have lasted over a decade. The world-famous land crisis featured a black majority population, led by President Robert Mugabe, allegedly seizing land from a small white farmer population of about 4,000. While this was seen as lawlessness, it can be likened to the aspirations of the 99 percent movement that, as a consequence of the crisis, sees the rich 1 percent as a target of dispossession. Once again, this brings to the fore the social implications of having a few thrive while the majority suffers.