When Zimbabwe achieved political independence, its new majority government set itself the dual objectives of economic growth and redistribution of resources, neither of which were achieved. The seeds of economic decline were sown soon after independence in unsustainably high government spending, which was financed by private savings, stifling private investment and inhibiting employment creation. The burden of adjustment was borne disproportionately by the rural poor, who fared worse than those already in urban employment. Zimbabwe's experience provides valuable lessons for countries struggling with the trade offs between growth-orientated and redistributive policies.

Autorentext
CAROLYN JENKINS works at the Centre of the Study of African Economies at the University of Oxford and at the Centre for Research into Economics and Finance in Southern Africa, London School of Economics.

JOHN KNIGHT is Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford. A founder member of the Centre for Study of African Economies, he has written extensively on human resource and labour market issues in Africa and elsewhere.

Inhalt
Preface List of Tables List of Figures Introduction and Overview: C.Jenkins & J.Knight The Politics of Economic Policymaking After Independence; C.Jenkins Zimbabwe's Growth Performance; C.Jenkins Redistribution and Rural Welfare; C.Jenkins Economic Objectives, Public Sector Deficits and Macroeconomic Stability; C.Jenkins Money Demand and Stabilization; C.Jenkins Economic Policy and Investment; C.Jenkins Labour Market Policies and Outcomes; J.Knight Lessons from Zimbabwe's Experience; C.Jenkins & J.Knight References Index