A comparative study of Zimbabwe's economic perfomance under the unliteral declaration of independence (UDI) and the Zimbabwe democracy and economic recovery act (ZIDERA)

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of sanctions on the economic performance of Zimbabwe under UDI and ZIDERA. Zimbabwe is not the first country in the global system to be slapped by international sanctions but what makes its case unique is the fact that the country has experienced the same fate twice. Although the circumstances surrounding the imposition, the nature and the objectives behind the sanctions are different, the two eras provide a platform through which diverse economic and social impacts related to the burden of international restrictions can be analysed. Significantly the periods between 1965-1979 and 2001-2015 have witnessed both regimes come up with impressive sanctions busting measures. Despite prudent economic strategies by both governments, the question that remains is whether these measures where successful or not in combating sanctions and which of the two was more effective in dealing with the intended effects of the international restrictions. Texts analysis, questionnaires and interviews were used to engage with the different people that had knowledge on the subject matter and these include historians, academics and economists. Findings brought into light the fact that Rhodesia managed to successfully boost and sustain its economy despite sanctions and this has been largely attributed to its robust policies that include import substitution and industrial growth which eventually led to self-sustenance. On the other hand, Zimbabwe in spite of many busting strategies, policies and programmes, the country’s economy has experienced a serious distress and this mainly due to problems related to implementation, lack of funding, over reliance on imports and corruption among other factors.