Hayek’s Concept of Social Justice: A Critical Assessment

This paper reviews Friedrich Hayek’s conceptualization of social justice. It explores the basic tenets of the concept and probes into some of the assumptions of the concept. In the process, the article  highlights the issues raised with a view to use the examination of the concepts as a basis for discussion on the probity and relevance of the assumptions for developing nations. Keywords: social justice, redistribution of wealth, social inequalit

E-Government and Development in Zimbabwe: An Appraisal

This article examines the evolution of the E-governance policy and practice in Zimbabwe over time. The major objective of the article is to give a comprehensive overview of the role that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and e-Government play in triggering efficient and effective public sector operations. The paper achieves this by discussing the e-government policy objectives, the e-government framework and the challenges facing the country as it embarks on the implementation of the 2015 National ICT Policy. Keywords: E-government, public administration, efficacy of e-government, Zimbabw

Zimbabwe Performance-Based Budgeting: Concepts and Success Factors

Programme-based budgeting uses the budget as a tool for making public management more results focused. In its 2016 National Budget, the government of Zimbabwe stated that by 2018 all Ministries and departments should have implemented the Programme-Based Budgeting (PBB) System. This paper discusses the PBB concepts at the levels of theory and practice. The intention is not only to highlight the major features of the concept but also to critically examine the relevance of the system from a holistic perspective. The paper further seeks to critically outline the key success factors that are essential for the effective and successful implementation of the PBB system. Keywords: Programme-based budgeting, performance-based budgeting,  efficiency, Zimbabw

Public-Private Partnerships: Critical Review and Lessons for Zimbabwe

PPPs are increasingly seen as a mechanism to develop infrastructure on a cost effective and sustainable basis. If properly managed, PPPs have a potential to unlock the much needed financial resources to fund projects on electricity, telecommunications, transport, water, education and the health sectors. This article examines the current debate about PPPs and global experiences. Zimbabwe’s experience with the PPPs was also discussed. The study used documentary search for data gathering. The major finding is that there is low uptake of PPPs in Zimbabwe. There are no legal and clearly defined institutional frameworks. The literature reviewed has thrown some lessons for Zimbabwe. Keywords: Public-Private Partnerships, Zimbabwe, infrastructur

An MDG?plus Agenda for Africa

The MDGs have given African governments the incentive to implement poverty reduction strategies. They have galvanised and focused the development agenda, local governments, and donor countries. However, Africa as a continent faces the substantial challenge of both high poverty levels, and political instability. This article argues that an MDG?plus agenda for Africa needs to take account of local and regional dimensions, as well as international dimensions. In addition, African countries need to learn from other parts of the world; both other regions in the South and countries in the North. As well as promoting a ‘bottom?up’ approach in general, we should seek and encourage greater public involvement

Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals: A review

This paper reviews the characteristics of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as their contribution to world development. The paper contends that the SDGs are likely to be achieved given that there is a comprehensive monitoring framework for the goals. The monitoring framework requires countries to produce progress reports that are subsequently reviewed at regional and global forums. The paper further highlights that the implementation of SDGs requires significant resources. Governments in the developing world will therefore have to foster environments that will attract both local and foreign investors with a view to creating   viable economies that can support the implementation of the various SDGs. Keywords: Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, development theory, developing countrie

Local Government Participatory Budget System in Zimbabwe: The Case of Harare City Council, 1995-2013

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the prevailing contextual variables on the implementability of participatory budgeting (PB) system in Zimbabwe’s local authorities with special reference to the Harare City Council (HCC). This study was undertaken against the background that the PB system had produced intended results in some local authorities and unintended results in others. This was mainly due to the fact that the PB system was transplanted from elsewhere where it recorded success stories and replicated in other different settings without taking into account different prevailing contextual factors. The main objective of the study is to examine how contextual variables affect the implementability of PB system in HCC. The study revealed that the prevailing contextual variables in Zimbabwe generally and HCC specifically are inhospitable to the successful implementation of the PB system. Keywords: participatory budgeting, Harare City Counci