This book is about conflict. In that, it is certainly not alone, but it approaches the problem in five Southern African countries from the standpoint of economic analysis. While the authors have not ignored social, ethnic and historical factors which led to conflict, they have identified economic realities which exacerbate underlying friction. These realities include disparities in rural-urban income levels and in health, education and employment, and a system of clientilism which benefits a small group of civil servants to the detriment of the rest of the population. Having identified aggravating economic factors in conflict, the authors proceed to an appreciation of its economic cost, then propose economic policy changes which would tend towards reducing the potential for conflict.

One of a series of three volumes, this book concentrates on Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.