The importance of the concept moved to the periphery of political and development discourse due to the growth of the welfare state in the 1950s and economics in the 1970s. In the 1990s civil society became the 'favored child' for promoting development in the countries of the developing world. third.
Introduction
Background of Land Policy in Zimbabwe
Rationale for Choosing Topic and Preliminary Literature Review
In the West (dominated by liberal democratic thought), the debate is no longer about whether civil society exists or not, but now focuses on questions related to civil society, what it does, and how important it is to the socio-political and economic development of a nation (Edwards, 2009). Most of the answers focus on the role of civil society in the democratization and development of the country.
Conceptual Framework upon which the Study is based
Research Problem and Questions
Research Problem
Research Questions
Research Methodology
Qualitative Research
Case Study
These two NGOs were chosen because they represent two historical backgrounds and ideological orientations about NGOs in Zimbabwe. CFU has over 100 years of experience serving commercial farmers in Zimbabwe and JAG was established in 2002 at the height of the FTLRP.
Challenges Associated with Qualitative Methodology
The concept of civil society to protect the interests of the majority was seriously influenced by Marx's arguments. The politics of inclusion involves the co-optation of NGOs into the political fabric of the ruling party and the policy-making process (Dorman, 2001). Various associations outside the state and the market can claim to be part of civil society (Fisher, 2007).
Civil society makes up for the failures of the state and markets in the provision of goods and services. Land has always been a contested issue in the country's socio-political and economic landscape. Members of the security agencies (army, CIO and police) were directly involved in several occupations (JAG and GAPWUZ, 2008).
For the first time in the country's history, blacks and whites were united in
Structure of Dissertation
Conclusion
This chapter has outlined the background to the study, the rationale for choosing the topic, the aims of the study, questions the study is trying to answer and the research methodology used. At the center of the study is the role that NGOs, which are part of civil society, play in development and the problems they encounter especially in the Third World and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Introduction
A Brief History of Civil Society in the West
The distinction between the state, entrepreneurship and civil society was more clearly defined by Hegel (although rooted in ethical rather than political life) (Elliot, 2003). In the mid-twentieth century and in the 1970s, the role attributed to the importance of civil society received mixed criticism from scholars.
History of Civil Society in sub-Saharan Africa
This again fits well with the idea of civil society, where the emphasis is on the success of the wider community, but not at the expense of the individual. Therefore, it can be concluded that there are traces of the Western concept of civil society in African societies and societies since time immemorial.
Civil Society during Colonialism
Therefore, its main objective is to supplement the failures of government and business in the development discourse. However, the program has been called chaotic and the cause of the country's socio-political and economic problems. CFU members who still had pending cases in the courts were persuaded by moderate members of the government and ZANU (PF) to withdraw their cases.
To the extent that the ZANU (PF)-led government caused problems for NGOs in the country, some of the problems were caused by NGOs themselves. At the turn of the millennium, many CFU members were closely involved in opposition politics. It came as an alternative, a third way, to supplement the failure of government and the market.
Most of the problems arose as a result of the political environment in which the NGOs operate.
Civil Society in Post-Independent Zimbabwe
Non-Governmental Organizations and Policy Influence in Zimbabwe
Pre- and post-independence governments have monopolized the policy-making process in the country through the 'inclusion and exclusion' of NGOs in the country's political landscape (Dorman, 2001). Sibanda (1994) did intensive research on the public policy impact of NGOs, albeit in areas that do not have much impact on the country's political landscape. That all changed when many civic organizations came together to form the NCA which then helped form the opposition party, the MDC.
Conclusion
Most of the NGO's political influence happened behind closed doors and the socio-political and economic environment was favorable for such an approach. The total fallout occurred when the NCA in coalition with the MDC and CFU successfully campaigned for a 'NO' vote in the 2000 referendum. Policy influence by NGOs is seen as direct opposition, especially on issues that can increase democratic space in the country as constitutionality, respect for human and property rights and a clear separation between government, business and civil society (Selby, 2006; Dorman, 2001) .
Introduction
Civil Society as the Associational Life, the Good Society and the Public Sphere
Civil society identifies and manifests itself as: (1) Associational life, (2) the good society and (3) the public sphere (Edwards, 2009). Failure in government and business entails sanctions, whereas in civil society there are no such sanctions. In civil society as the good society "everyone could be free to speak their mind and have their voice heard" (Edwards, 2009: 45).
Types of Non-Governmental Organizations…
Second-generation NGOs contribute to people's empowerment by encouraging local-based cooperatives and community councils to coordinate operations. This sees third-generation NGOs working with key national and international agencies with the aim of influencing national policies and empowering citizens to control their own resources. This study examines CFU and JAG at the level of third generation NGOs as both have been involved in influencing land policy in the country.
Strategies and Tactics used by Non-Governmental Organizations to Influence Policy
Partnering Government
Fostering Accountability
NGOs seek accountability to improve service delivery, to see that funds are being used according to budgets, to ensure proper implementation of policies and to ensure that the government cuts its spending so that. NGOs take research initiatives, examining government performance, budgets and how public resources are used. NGOs can also take legal avenues to access information and lobby for transparency legislation.
Policy Advocacy
NGOs begin policy advocacy as a way to create public awareness and to improve the people's quality of life by demanding better policy analysis from those who control political and/or economic power. As the ZANU (PF)-led government aims to control all spheres of life in the country, NGOs using such tactics run the risk of being co-opted by a well-oiled government-run patronage system. Radical formulations of policy advocacy risk creating hostility between the NGO and the government, particularly in Zimbabwe where the relationship has become hostile and volatile.
Land Policy in Zimbabwe
This law, together with the Land Husbandry Act of 1951 (Worby, 2000), formed the basis of land policy in the country until independence in 1980. There are frequent allegations of cronyism, corruption, intimidation, bullying and patronage in the way on which the FTLRP has been implemented (Dorman, 2001). The majority of Zimbabweans have no problem with the redistribution of land in the country. What they are concerned about is the way the FTLRP has been implemented.
Conclusion
Introduction
Case One: Commercial Farmers Union
Background of the Commercial Farmers Union
However, as land policy became an important government issue in subsequent years, the organization began to engage in land policy analysis.
Strategies employed by the Commercial Farmers Union
- Use of the Media
- Litigations
- Regime Change
- Lobbying and Engagement with the Government
- Partnerships with Government
CFU has filed several challenges in court to the laws and policies governing the FTLRP. As the FTLRP continued to escalate, rifts, fissures, and disagreements began to emerge in the CFU hierarchy (Selby, 2006). Hardliners and rogue states in the ZANU (PF) government always threw a spanner in the works of the CFU.
Case Two: Justice for Agriculture
Background of Justice for Agriculture
Strategies employed by Justice for Agriculture
- Litigations
- Use of the Media
- Doing Research
- Collaboration and Regime Change
Unfortunately for the farmers, the government did not respect the SADC court's ruling (Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, 2010). Together with the 78 farmers who won their case at the SADC court, they approached the US courts to have the state properties attached for compensation purposes. In addition, JAG, in collaboration with AfriForum, approached South African courts to once again force the government to comply with the SADC court's ruling (Batt, 2015).
Conclusion
In addition to ensuring long-term food security for the country, as the CFU did in the early 2000s, JAG supports an agenda for regime change or transformation of the current regime to embrace democratic principles, respect for human and property rights, and constitutionality. This is highlighted by a statement on the JAG website which reads: "JAG supports a duly elected and democratic government while refusing to turn into political apologists" (JAG website). In most cases, the JAG won, but the government rejected the court's rulings.
Introduction
Problems from Outside
- Government Repressive Laws
- Infiltration
- Smear campaign
- Harassment and Intimidation
In the eyes of the majority of Zimbabweans, especially the not-so-informed rural residents, CFU was a sellout with no right to land claims in the country. The majority of Zimbabwe's population lives in rural areas, which does not help the cause of NGOs. ZANU (PF) leaders encouraged intimidation and intimidation of CFU members, as evidenced by Mugabe declaring that their party “must strike fear in the heart of the white man.
Problems from Within
- Lack of Resources
- Absence of the Culture of Volunteerism
- Lack of a Clear Vision
- Fragmentation of Zimbabwean Non-Governmental Organization
- Power Hungriness of Non-Governmental Organization Leaders
- Leaders of Non-Governmental Organizations Engaged in Multiple Duties
Lack of volunteerism was the Achilles heel of CFU at the height of the FTLRP. CFU administrators and the Board of Trustees were accused by the organization's members of acting unilaterally in closing The Farmer magazine (Pilossof, 2011). General members are encouraged when they see that their leaders also make personal sacrifices for the dismissal of the organization.
Conclusion
2003); "Social Capital, Civil Society and Degree of Democracy in India", found in Civil Society and Democracy: A Reader. "Digging Truth on Zimbabwe's Land Issue," an article found in the WeekendPost of Friday, November Civil Society – Conceptual History from Hobbes to Marx. M (1995); "Democracy, Civil Society and Social Movements: An Analytical Framework", found in Democracy, Civil Society and the State: Social Movements in Southern Africa.
