Whilst there are economic viability, moral, productivity, egalitarian, equity and political issue... more Whilst there are economic viability, moral, productivity, egalitarian, equity and political issues that have topped academic, political and interventionist agendas since the onset of the Fast track land reform program in Zimbabwe this paper, seeks to look at the Human Security issues associated with Zimbabwe's land reform program. This paper assumes the position that the debate around land in Zimbabwe has for long been steeped in the tradition of national security focusing more on the state's functionality and economic viability and its ripple effects on general political and socio-economic issues of other states in the region. . It is therefore timely and prudent to analyze the land reform in Zimbabwe using the Human Security lens. The paper therefore seeks to focus on the 'individuals' in the state rather than the 'state' by asking the question; how has the Fast track land reform policy affected Human security in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe like Many states in African south of the Sahara faced violence in Colonial times from a ... more Zimbabwe like Many states in African south of the Sahara faced violence in Colonial times from a multiplicity of bases such as ethnic and religious differences . With the coming of Independence hopes were high that violence would end or at least gradually decline. High hopes were tied on the independent state to end violence for 'all' its citizens women and other marginalized groups included. This paper will borrow from feminist theory and argue against the simplistic portrayal of patriarchy as indigenous to Zimbabwe. The paper exposes a complex interplay of factors and explanations other than patriarchy and also expose the complex nature of patriarchy itself.
This paper argues basing on Galtung's (1969,1975) theory of Structural violence that violence has... more This paper argues basing on Galtung's (1969,1975) theory of Structural violence that violence has obtained both in colonial and post-colonial Zimbabwe and that it's structural nature evolved together with the political regime of the day. The paper will also argue basing on Galtung's typologies that though Gender-based violence may have taken the physical and cultural forms the structural form is the bedrock supporting its continued existence across the frontier of independence. This paper hopes to cogently conclude that the post colonial state has been complicit with the structural order inherited from the colonial masters in ensuring the subjugation of women in Zimbabwe.
This is an opinion reflection piece on the work of L.I Sweet that I submitted for my Graduate sem... more This is an opinion reflection piece on the work of L.I Sweet that I submitted for my Graduate seminar class on American Politics in a Global Perspective. I looked at how Religion has always been openly a key feature in American politics both at national and political level. It's been openly quoted or assumed dominant in statements and proclamations. I then contrasted it with pressure on America to live to the expectations of both religion and morality which are key strings in the fabric of its creed and the liberal democratic value and the free market system which seem to driven by individual self interest, profit and survival. I argue together with Sweet that America is struggle to keep its religious identity in a changing world.
Non-violence has proved to be a good approach for all oppressed people's ever since its successes... more Non-violence has proved to be a good approach for all oppressed people's ever since its successes with repressive systems in India under the leadership of M. K Gandhi and in the United states of America, where it was used by the Civil Rights movements under the leadership Martin Luther King Junior. The appeal of non violence as an alternative to violence also came in the ability to reduce violence on the sides of the abused and the abuser who if violent alternatives are used would mutually suffer great loses. However, over the years non-violence has grown to be an untouchable monolith whose principles are the magic wand to solve the systems of oppression world over. This paper seeks to question the monolithic presentation of the power of non-violence and the practical challenges that women may face in relying on non violence to counter gender based violence.
This is a one page commenatry on the work of Christian Collet and J. C Kim for my Graduate semina... more This is a one page commenatry on the work of Christian Collet and J. C Kim for my Graduate seminar class. I support Collet's argument that the growing presence of Asians and Latinos in the American society means any analysis needs not be carrying a simplistic traditional assumption of two radically opposing poles of blacks and whites and a moderate middle of non conservative whites and non radicalized blacks. The American society is now as complex enough with not only population figures but also cultural influence and neighborhood presence of multiple ethnic groups.
How has this violence against women unexpectedly survived across two different political regimes ... more How has this violence against women unexpectedly survived across two different political regimes of the colonial and post-colonial state? This is the question that has to be answered by this paper. This paper argues that what only reduced was just flagrant and spectacular violence but other hidden and more damaging forms of violence such as domestic violence have been maintained across the boundary of independence and have in fact increased due to the intricate nature of patriarchy, the power and economic differences of the actors, the private location of the violence and social and structural justification of violence.
Universalists and cultural relativists have sort of crystallized into two distinct camps whose di... more Universalists and cultural relativists have sort of crystallized into two distinct camps whose dividing border is the perceived difficulty of the applicability of human rights.In presenting a critique of Human Rights [both practice and concept], this paper retraces this age old argument and gives specific instances from Africa and post cold-war America where the universality of Human rights is brought into question into question in the typical ‘west versus the rest format’. This paper also questions the narrow-minded nature of Relativist-universalist arguing that it crowds other essential questions around human rights. The solution to the debate is not within the scope of this piece, instead the paper seeks to appreciate Human Rights and the challenges surrounding its concepts and practices.
The story of ICC in human history is the story of ‘individuals and a court’ on the international ... more The story of ICC in human history is the story of ‘individuals and a court’ on the international arena and therefore this paper looks at the ICC, its structure, functions and mechanisms in the first part. Because the ICC is a non-state political game-changer in International Relations, the second phase the focus will be on application of International relations theories to the ICC and issues surrounding it. Whilst the ICC can easily be pointed to as a good example to exemplify Regime theory-in-action, it is also arguably, a good case to portray that beyond the assumed power of regimes the anarchic rule of the mighty still reigns supreme in international relations.
This is a very short paper which i developed as a class weekly report for my graduate seminar cla... more This is a very short paper which i developed as a class weekly report for my graduate seminar class on Global Attitudes. It looks at the critical questions that should be asked if a country is to be branded. It gives a few questions critical for Zimbabwe's branding process in the view of the history and in the face of its future. the paper also takes a few international examples of National branding.
Psychology can help us understand the roots of violence and consequently how designs can be made ... more Psychology can help us understand the roots of violence and consequently how designs can be made for the attainment of peace. Ever since the 1960s peace psychologists have studied the psychology of violence and peace and believe that analysis of the genesis of violence can be very useful in informing the creation of solutions to end the violence, prevent the violence from escalating or preventing future episodes form erupting or resurgence of past violence. This paper analyses how the framing of narratives, creation of the ‘other’ and devaluation as a process of legitimizing violence in Zimbabwe and how the construction of narratives and creation of the other has created bases for a multiplicity of forms of violence. The paper uses examples from Zimbabwe of how ‘‘Othering’’ has been used to frame violence. Whilst the forms of violence due to ‘Othering’ in ZImbabwe are multiple this paper focuses on two forms namely violence related to land and violence against women.
This paper explores the relationships between gender based violence and patriarchy in and endeavo... more This paper explores the relationships between gender based violence and patriarchy in and endeavor to determine the extent to which patriarchy perpetuates GBV in Zimbabwe. In creating this argument the paper draws from theoretical works on GBV and patriarchy and triangulates them with anecdotal evidence, news articles and reports from government departments and NGOs most of which have been accessed on line. The pre-colonial, colonial and postcolonial epochs are referred to in an effort to create a picture of Zimbabwe’s historical relationship with patriarchy. Cultural and religious practices/norms have been found in this paper to privilege man and they are produced and reinforced in the home and are also replayed on the larger social scale. The paper reaches the conclusion that Zimbabwe has had a long and intricate relationship with patriarchy that dates from pre-colonial time and the colonial state imported some patriarchal values from western societies and blended them into the indigenous culture. The paper therefore sees the colonial and postcolonial Zimbabwe as complicit in fostering violence against women.
Whilst there are economic viability, moral, productivity, egalitarian, equity and political issue... more Whilst there are economic viability, moral, productivity, egalitarian, equity and political issues that have topped academic, political and interventionist agendas since the onset of the Fast track land reform program in Zimbabwe this paper, seeks to look at the Human Security issues associated with Zimbabwe's land reform program. This paper assumes the position that the debate around land in Zimbabwe has for long been steeped in the tradition of national security focusing more on the state's functionality and economic viability and its ripple effects on general political and socio-economic issues of other states in the region. . It is therefore timely and prudent to analyze the land reform in Zimbabwe using the Human Security lens. The paper therefore seeks to focus on the 'individuals' in the state rather than the 'state' by asking the question; how has the Fast track land reform policy affected Human security in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe like Many states in African south of the Sahara faced violence in Colonial times from a ... more Zimbabwe like Many states in African south of the Sahara faced violence in Colonial times from a multiplicity of bases such as ethnic and religious differences . With the coming of Independence hopes were high that violence would end or at least gradually decline. High hopes were tied on the independent state to end violence for 'all' its citizens women and other marginalized groups included. This paper will borrow from feminist theory and argue against the simplistic portrayal of patriarchy as indigenous to Zimbabwe. The paper exposes a complex interplay of factors and explanations other than patriarchy and also expose the complex nature of patriarchy itself.
This paper argues basing on Galtung's (1969,1975) theory of Structural violence that violence has... more This paper argues basing on Galtung's (1969,1975) theory of Structural violence that violence has obtained both in colonial and post-colonial Zimbabwe and that it's structural nature evolved together with the political regime of the day. The paper will also argue basing on Galtung's typologies that though Gender-based violence may have taken the physical and cultural forms the structural form is the bedrock supporting its continued existence across the frontier of independence. This paper hopes to cogently conclude that the post colonial state has been complicit with the structural order inherited from the colonial masters in ensuring the subjugation of women in Zimbabwe.
This is an opinion reflection piece on the work of L.I Sweet that I submitted for my Graduate sem... more This is an opinion reflection piece on the work of L.I Sweet that I submitted for my Graduate seminar class on American Politics in a Global Perspective. I looked at how Religion has always been openly a key feature in American politics both at national and political level. It's been openly quoted or assumed dominant in statements and proclamations. I then contrasted it with pressure on America to live to the expectations of both religion and morality which are key strings in the fabric of its creed and the liberal democratic value and the free market system which seem to driven by individual self interest, profit and survival. I argue together with Sweet that America is struggle to keep its religious identity in a changing world.
Non-violence has proved to be a good approach for all oppressed people's ever since its successes... more Non-violence has proved to be a good approach for all oppressed people's ever since its successes with repressive systems in India under the leadership of M. K Gandhi and in the United states of America, where it was used by the Civil Rights movements under the leadership Martin Luther King Junior. The appeal of non violence as an alternative to violence also came in the ability to reduce violence on the sides of the abused and the abuser who if violent alternatives are used would mutually suffer great loses. However, over the years non-violence has grown to be an untouchable monolith whose principles are the magic wand to solve the systems of oppression world over. This paper seeks to question the monolithic presentation of the power of non-violence and the practical challenges that women may face in relying on non violence to counter gender based violence.
This is a one page commenatry on the work of Christian Collet and J. C Kim for my Graduate semina... more This is a one page commenatry on the work of Christian Collet and J. C Kim for my Graduate seminar class. I support Collet's argument that the growing presence of Asians and Latinos in the American society means any analysis needs not be carrying a simplistic traditional assumption of two radically opposing poles of blacks and whites and a moderate middle of non conservative whites and non radicalized blacks. The American society is now as complex enough with not only population figures but also cultural influence and neighborhood presence of multiple ethnic groups.
How has this violence against women unexpectedly survived across two different political regimes ... more How has this violence against women unexpectedly survived across two different political regimes of the colonial and post-colonial state? This is the question that has to be answered by this paper. This paper argues that what only reduced was just flagrant and spectacular violence but other hidden and more damaging forms of violence such as domestic violence have been maintained across the boundary of independence and have in fact increased due to the intricate nature of patriarchy, the power and economic differences of the actors, the private location of the violence and social and structural justification of violence.
Universalists and cultural relativists have sort of crystallized into two distinct camps whose di... more Universalists and cultural relativists have sort of crystallized into two distinct camps whose dividing border is the perceived difficulty of the applicability of human rights.In presenting a critique of Human Rights [both practice and concept], this paper retraces this age old argument and gives specific instances from Africa and post cold-war America where the universality of Human rights is brought into question into question in the typical ‘west versus the rest format’. This paper also questions the narrow-minded nature of Relativist-universalist arguing that it crowds other essential questions around human rights. The solution to the debate is not within the scope of this piece, instead the paper seeks to appreciate Human Rights and the challenges surrounding its concepts and practices.
The story of ICC in human history is the story of ‘individuals and a court’ on the international ... more The story of ICC in human history is the story of ‘individuals and a court’ on the international arena and therefore this paper looks at the ICC, its structure, functions and mechanisms in the first part. Because the ICC is a non-state political game-changer in International Relations, the second phase the focus will be on application of International relations theories to the ICC and issues surrounding it. Whilst the ICC can easily be pointed to as a good example to exemplify Regime theory-in-action, it is also arguably, a good case to portray that beyond the assumed power of regimes the anarchic rule of the mighty still reigns supreme in international relations.
This is a very short paper which i developed as a class weekly report for my graduate seminar cla... more This is a very short paper which i developed as a class weekly report for my graduate seminar class on Global Attitudes. It looks at the critical questions that should be asked if a country is to be branded. It gives a few questions critical for Zimbabwe's branding process in the view of the history and in the face of its future. the paper also takes a few international examples of National branding.
Psychology can help us understand the roots of violence and consequently how designs can be made ... more Psychology can help us understand the roots of violence and consequently how designs can be made for the attainment of peace. Ever since the 1960s peace psychologists have studied the psychology of violence and peace and believe that analysis of the genesis of violence can be very useful in informing the creation of solutions to end the violence, prevent the violence from escalating or preventing future episodes form erupting or resurgence of past violence. This paper analyses how the framing of narratives, creation of the ‘other’ and devaluation as a process of legitimizing violence in Zimbabwe and how the construction of narratives and creation of the other has created bases for a multiplicity of forms of violence. The paper uses examples from Zimbabwe of how ‘‘Othering’’ has been used to frame violence. Whilst the forms of violence due to ‘Othering’ in ZImbabwe are multiple this paper focuses on two forms namely violence related to land and violence against women.
This paper explores the relationships between gender based violence and patriarchy in and endeavo... more This paper explores the relationships between gender based violence and patriarchy in and endeavor to determine the extent to which patriarchy perpetuates GBV in Zimbabwe. In creating this argument the paper draws from theoretical works on GBV and patriarchy and triangulates them with anecdotal evidence, news articles and reports from government departments and NGOs most of which have been accessed on line. The pre-colonial, colonial and postcolonial epochs are referred to in an effort to create a picture of Zimbabwe’s historical relationship with patriarchy. Cultural and religious practices/norms have been found in this paper to privilege man and they are produced and reinforced in the home and are also replayed on the larger social scale. The paper reaches the conclusion that Zimbabwe has had a long and intricate relationship with patriarchy that dates from pre-colonial time and the colonial state imported some patriarchal values from western societies and blended them into the indigenous culture. The paper therefore sees the colonial and postcolonial Zimbabwe as complicit in fostering violence against women.
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