Zim's Economic Woes. Beyond Anger and In Search of 'Base and Superstructure'

By Takura Zhangazha*

 

Discussing the national economic situation in Zimbabwe is a highly
political exercise.  There is always the
one main actor or cause of the dire situation, namely government.  Reasons, arguments are either around the fact
that no country is going to help us as long as the current president is in
office or the allegation that the entirety of government is corrupt.  The politics continues further with arguments
about how the ‘economy cannot be rigged’ or how the market will eventually
force either a collapse or resignation of government. 

Enter the bond notes and debate goes from loud to near apoplectic for reasons that
have been explained in many a column since their introduction was
announced.  When there are revelations of
alleged corrupt activities/tenders/ at parastatals or in government, the debate,
though not as apoplectic, hones back to politics and the politically connected
elite. 

There are however no big demonstrations
against the corruption, for now, save for those organised by the mainstream opposition
MDCT against bond notes.  

Smaller actions such as that of activists staging sit/sleep ins at
Africa Unity Square or protesting at the Rainbow Towers hotel against Vice
President Mphoko’s long duree hotel stay have made waves on social media and
the internet. 

All of these actions are a clear sign at a simmering popular
anger about the state of the economy. Or at least at specific issues related to
the economy. Even if that anger has not translated into more effective action
that forces the government to rectify its policies.

What we have however not been doing is to analyse our
national economy more holistically. Both in ideological and performance measurement
terms. 

Those of us from the left have
been trying to review the economy from what we would call its realistic prism.  Ever since government announced that its economic
priority is ‘the ease of doing business’ it has become clearer that ours is a
free market economy. Largely by default but also by way of announced policy
intention.

Its primary characteristic is outsourcing state functions to
private entities and ensuring that primary social services, such as health,
education are privatised. It also follows the dictates of th World Bank/IMF
with regards to monetary policies (including the quantiative easing that is the
bond note introduction) and tends to be highly dependent on their expertise of
how the economy should be run.  
Furthermore it is an economy in which the emergence/rise religious fervor,
gambling and individualism are actively encouraged.

 As a result it comes with all the signs of
social breakdown and the emergence of personality/celebrity style
politics.  Money and patronage become the
functional cornerstone of politics. And while we rail against imperialism and
the sort, we remain highly reliant on foreign aid in times of natural disasters
such as the current drought we are experiencing. 

This is essentially where we are as a country. And one would
be forgiven for thinking or stating that’s a little too much to put on one plate.
Or that this is the preserve of economists and intellectuals.

On the contrary this should be everyone’s debate and
analysis. At least until a clear alternative that can be democratically applied
to our context is widely accepted.  

What the period of the inclusive government indicated was
that the free market/neo-liberal economic template adopted by both Zanu Pf and
the MDCs, can temporarily lead to a bubble that once again has burst in the
context of the cash crisis, the increase in poverty and the failure fo the
state to provide affordable social services to the majority of its
citizens.  

And what we have also seen is a tragic failure to articulate
a comprehensive and holistic alternative by those that are in pursuit of
political office.  

Its not as if there are no alternatives. Both at home and abroad
there have been various attempts to find a contextual social democratic approach to our
national economy. This is where the combination of retention of the state in basic
social service provision occurs in tandem with observation of an open, transparent and
democratic culture that takes greater priority over the market.  In this, innovation and wealth will not be
predicated on corruption as is the case today. Instead it will be based on at
least everyone being given a fair start and a fairer life as a Zimbabwean.  

It’s a debate that we should be having.  But where we allow it to appear in pockets, our
anger will reflect more an intention to address symptoms as opposed to the
actual ailment.  

*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity (takura-zhangazha.blogspot.ocm)