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Clinging to Power-The Initiation, Reproduction and Maintenance of Neopatrimonial Rule in Zimbabwe

Olsson Selerud, Kristian (2008)
Department of Political Science
Abstract
As is common in African states, the former liberation movement, ZANU (PF) still retains power in Zimbabwe. This essay analyses how Robert Mugabe and his party has managed to remain in power despite an economic and political crisis. Central to the study is the concept of neopatrimonialism which is argued to have been institutionalised in Zimbabwe much due to the nature of the liberation struggle, here discussed as a critical juncture. Using an historical institutionalist understanding of path dependency, this study traces the origins and subsequent reproduction of neopatrimonialism in Zimbabwe. Such an institutional system has been maintained and reproduced since independence using different mechanisms of institutional reproduction.... (More)
As is common in African states, the former liberation movement, ZANU (PF) still retains power in Zimbabwe. This essay analyses how Robert Mugabe and his party has managed to remain in power despite an economic and political crisis. Central to the study is the concept of neopatrimonialism which is argued to have been institutionalised in Zimbabwe much due to the nature of the liberation struggle, here discussed as a critical juncture. Using an historical institutionalist understanding of path dependency, this study traces the origins and subsequent reproduction of neopatrimonialism in Zimbabwe. Such an institutional system has been maintained and reproduced since independence using different mechanisms of institutional reproduction. Initially the continuation of the system can be explained by general theories regarding power and ligitimation. However, as events unfold in Zimbabwe, and forces threaten the existence and further practice of neopatrimonialism, the mechanisms that account for its reproduction have been altered, changed and reinforced by expanding neopatrimonialism itself and finding new ways in which to legitimise it. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Olsson Selerud, Kristian
supervisor
organization
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Zimbabwe, Neopatrimonialism, Path dependency, power, legitimacy, Political and administrative sciences, Statsvetenskap, förvaltningskunskap
language
English
id
1319012
date added to LUP
2008-09-03 00:00:00
date last changed
2008-09-03 00:00:00
@misc{1319012,
  abstract     = {{As is common in African states, the former liberation movement, ZANU (PF) still retains power in Zimbabwe. This essay analyses how Robert Mugabe and his party has managed to remain in power despite an economic and political crisis. Central to the study is the concept of neopatrimonialism which is argued to have been institutionalised in Zimbabwe much due to the nature of the liberation struggle, here discussed as a critical juncture. Using an historical institutionalist understanding of path dependency, this study traces the origins and subsequent reproduction of neopatrimonialism in Zimbabwe. Such an institutional system has been maintained and reproduced since independence using different mechanisms of institutional reproduction. Initially the continuation of the system can be explained by general theories regarding power and ligitimation. However, as events unfold in Zimbabwe, and forces threaten the existence and further practice of neopatrimonialism, the mechanisms that account for its reproduction have been altered, changed and reinforced by expanding neopatrimonialism itself and finding new ways in which to legitimise it.}},
  author       = {{Olsson Selerud, Kristian}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Clinging to Power-The Initiation, Reproduction and Maintenance of Neopatrimonial Rule in Zimbabwe}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}