Abstract:
This article focuses on the concept of human security and political contestations
in Zimbabwe. It analyses how political electioneering and political violence
affected development in Zimbabwe since 1980. While the war of liberation was
fought to end discrimination in all its forms, the coming of black majority rule
did not immediately bring the desired results of freedom and equality. Rather, it
brought new forms of violence as the victors usurped institutions to the detriment
of the democratic ideals fought for. While the new system led to negative peace,
it was detrimental to positive peace that aims at building sustainability to the
development discourse. This study is a qualitative study drawing data from
desktop research, interviews and focus group discussions. The central argument
is that violence has been a major affront to human security, thereby affecting
development. The study deploys the human security theory to unmask political
violence and development processes. It leans towards the pursuit of human
security to achieve development and as an approach to conflict resolution and
peace-building. This can help Zimbabwe to achieve its human development
goals. The article recommends that governments and political parties must strive
to achieve peace, human security and development.
Description:
The journal is a forum for the discussion of ideas, scholarly opinions and
case studies of leadership, development and governance at local, national
and supranational levels and also coming from across various sectors of
the economy. It is premised on the idea that leadership is meant to create
anticipated futures by leaders. Development is a revelationist endeavour
that must be governed well for the sake of intergenerational equity. The
journal is produced bi-annually.
