1. Introduction

Against the backdrop of negative news on Zimbabwe that has been the norm since 2000, Simpson and Hawkins remind readers how Zimbabwe was widely seen as a potential African success story at Independence in 1980. They highlight its then relatively diversified economy, strong human capital base and sound infrastructure, as well as the international goodwill it enjoyed. In the area of political governance, the Lancaster House constitution had entrenched the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary and multi-party elections. The authors note that such baselines are important as they serve to highlight the extent of Zimbabwe’s regression that began in the late 1990s, and which they argue is a function of the desire of the ruling party to remain in power at all costs through the construction of extractive economic and political institutions.