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Political Indaba Resource

by Colin Bature

218 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-0471; ISBN 1-4120-2643-1; US$20.50, C$23.51, EUR17.00, £12.00

Zimbabwe's hope: with Africa struggling with the failing political models designed for the needs of Europe and North America, we explore a better way.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

Political Indaba Resource is a book of views, examples, models, questions, stories, analogies and more, to provoke thought and provide material for any political indaba. It is presented as a text of political reference with particular emphasis on the continent of Africa, including the Middle East's influence on her northern states, and is based on views, observations, experiences, and research carried out throughout Africa and the Middle East over a 20-year period from the mid-1970s.

Many African states have now achieved an almost irredeemable position socially and politically, this is not true of Zimbabwe today (2004). Although little time remains to correct this, their position is still redeemable. The models, lessons learned and examples presented in this book, although aimed mainly at the way forward for Zimbabwe, are equally valid for other countries; that is, nations with similar resources of a comparable or younger post-conflict or post-independence age.

This book presents well-established political models and how they apply to Africa. The opening chapters offer a good foundation for those unfamiliar with electoral and parliamentary models of the world and also consider the use, failings, unsuitability and corruption of such models throughout the African continent.

Following the basic reference of political models and how they apply to Africa, the text then turns its attentions to Southern Africa, presenting social responsibilities, views and issues, and the important role they play in the successful governing and stability of any nation. After considering these social issues, having presented the reader with the standard selection of electoral models while putting forward views regarding why they are unsuitable for Africa, the text examines successful forms of governing. Theoretical and specific examples are reviewed as a means of identifying key ingredients needed to achieve suitable alternatives for the choice of electoral model and an acceptable resulting system of governance. The final chapters present a proposed alternative model for a successful system of governance, with particular reference to Zimbabwe and the rest of the Southern Africa.

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About the Author

Born in Merseyside, England, with a childhood moulded by Britain's 1950s and 60s, his father's Merchant Navy stories of Africa and distant lands ensured all the children of the family grew up with little else but thoughts of travel. Upon completion of an Engineering apprenticeship in the 1970s, the author only had desires of life outside the UK and before long headed out to Africa. On arrival in the glorious landlocked teapot shaped country now known as Zimbabwe, he knew a more wondrous place could never exist. This initial wonder provided an overwhelming sense of belonging that no place achieved before or since that day. Despite only a very short time living there, nowhere else ever felt like home. After the brief encounter of life in a country that would provide the reference of excellence for all those that followed, he continued to travel and make temporary home in a number of African States. Over a 20-year period residing in many African and middle-east countries with frequent trips back in the UK. Employment during those years took the form of Engineering and Project Management roles, spending seemingly endless days, weeks, months and years battling with legislation, government officials, councillors, businessmen, bankers, self-appointed leaders, military representatives, and others to achieve harmony between all the parties involved in a variety of large multinational projects. Such travel, experiences and observations provided the material for Political Indaba Resource, based on an insight into the basic problems that seem to recur in African politics and the continued desire to see Zimbabwe and her African cousins provided with solutions available for them to again be the true jewels of Africa.

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Excerpts

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Catalogue Information

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