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    Zimbabwe's Land Reform: Myths and Realities (African Issues) Paperback – 18 Nov. 2010

    by Ian Scoones (Author)
    5.0 out of 5 stars 7 ratings
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    Challenges the commonly held myths about Zimbabwe's land reform. Ten years after the land invasions of 2000, this book provides the first full account of the consequences of these dramatic events. This land reform overturned a century-old pattern of land use, one dominated by a small group of large-scale commercial farmers, many of whom were white. But what replaced it? This book challenges five myths through the examination of the field data from Masvingo province: Myth 1 Zimbabwean land reform has been a total failure Myth 2 The beneficiaries of Zimbabwean land reform have been largely political 'cronies' Myth 3 There is no investment in the new resettlements Myth 4 Agriculture is in complete ruins creating chronic food insecurity Myth 5 The rural economy has collapsed By challenging these myths, and suggesting alternative policy narratives, this book presents the story as it has been observed on the ground: warts and all. What comes through very strongly is the complexity, the differences, almost farm by farm: there is no single, simple story of the Zimbabwe land reform as sometimes assumed by press reports, political commentators, or indeedmuch academic study. Ian Scoones, Professorial Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, with co-authors Nelson Marongwe, Blasio Mavedzenge, Jacob Mahenehene, Felix Murimbarimba and Chrispen Sukume. Zimbabwe: Weaver Press Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana): Jacana
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    1. Print length
      304 pages
    2. Language
      English
    3. Publisher
      James Currey
    4. Publication date
      18 Nov. 2010
    5. Dimensions
      14.48 x 1.91 x 21.59 cm
    6. ISBN-10
      1847010245
    7. ISBN-13
      978-1847010247
    Next slide of product details

    Product description

    Review

    All this provides rich evidence and nuanced assessments of the dynamics and complexities of social, economic, and political patterns evolving in the new resettlements in Masvingo Province. ― AFRICAN STUDIES REVIEW

    Triumphs in going beyond the sensationalism and the myths. [...] It is a book that every bureaucrat in the region should read. It is a book that demands the attention of everyone who wants to know the 'true', unfinished story of Zimbabwe's land reform. [...] Fascinating, exhaustive and immensely readable. ―     MAIL & GUARDIAN (South Africa)

    It required the eloquence and boldness of Ian Scoones et al. to produce this impressive empirical study on the impact of Zimbabwe's controversial Fast Track Land Programme. ―     AFRICAN AFFAIRS

    Destroys most popular myths about Zimbabwe's land reform and rural economy. [...] An important book for readers interested in Africa or economic development. Highly recommended. ―     CHOICE

    Raises important issues that will trigger a sound land policy in Zimbabwe with talk of a nation-wide land audit. ―     NEW AGRICULTURALIST

    Product details

    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ James Currey
    • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 18 Nov. 2010
    • Language ‏ : ‎ English
    • Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
    • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1847010245
    • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1847010247
    • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 417 g
    • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 14.48 x 1.91 x 21.59 cm
    • Customer reviews:
      5.0 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

    Customer reviews

    5 out of 5 stars
    7 global ratings

    Top reviews from United Kingdom

    • Ashley Giles
      5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy on this topic!
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 May 2015
      Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
      A hugely impressive book, encompassing an important study. This book is crucial both to the understanding of Zimbabwean land reform, and to the forecasting and planning of future land redistribution in Southern Africa.
      One person found this helpful
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    • release the cure
      5.0 out of 5 stars Evidence Based Account of Zimbabwe's Land Reform
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 November 2011
      Format: Paperback
      This is the only unbiased, evidence based account of Zimbabwe's Land Reform program. It is interesting to see that it's findings are very different from the image broadcast by international media. This is a book for the serious reader who wishes to gain a scientific perspective on this important issue.
      6 people found this helpful
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    Top reviews from other countries

    • Dave
      5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking and Revolutionary
      Reviewed in the United States on 20 December 2012
      Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
      First and foremost, the reader should know that this is an academic study's published results. It covers a real examination of land reform in Zimbabwe - specifically as Masvingo province, which experienced the greatest land reform in the country - conducted by Ian Scoones of the University of Sussex. As such, the book does not read as a traditional narrative.

      However, Scoones' book is nevertheless electrifying in its findings and presentation. He begins with a summary of his findings, which demonstrate that Zimbabwe's Fast Track Land Reform Program (2000 - 2003) was largely successful in redistributing land to the poor and challenge assumptions made by the Western media. He then looks at the land reform in the context of Zimbabwean history with a brief examination of the role of ZANU-PF as a ruling party. From there, he challenges five myths about the land reform.

      Scoones draws from real interviews and accounts by peasants and workers that he interviewed in Zimbabwe to tell their own story. This hyper-personalized account is coupled with statistical data that supports the conclusion that Zimbabwe's land reform has resulted in greater land ownership and investment in said land by the people who needed it the most. It challenges the baseless assertions that the land reform caused Zimbabwe's economic collapse, and in latter chapters, Scoones implicates sanctions and IMF austerity measures for most of Zimbabwe's woes.

      This study deserves publicization far and wide, and even non-academic audiences will get a lot out of the accounts described by the new black landowners in Zimbabwe themselves. It's a must-read on the subject, and it's the only study of it's kind.
      Report
    • Professor
      5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, sets the record straight
      Reviewed in the United States on 22 June 2011
      Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
      I just returned from visiting land reform settlements in Zimbabwe and witnessing their success first hand. This is a fantastic book that is well documented, based on tons of data, and exposes the myths (lies?) about the supposed failure of the land reform.
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