Title:
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Some aspects of spatial interaction and reaction to governmental policies in a border area : a study in the historical and political geography of rural development in the Zambia/Mozambique frontier zone (1870-1979)
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This thesis examines the historical and political
geography of rural development in the Zambia/Malawi and the
Zambia/Mozambique frontier zone. It is considered that
political authority affects an more than any other
authority. To bring the above consideration into
perspective, Chapter I is devoted to the examination of the
broad stages in political development which,
contemporary African states have undergone.
In Section I the concept of a frontier zone under
the pre-colonial context with respect to the Chewa and
Ngoni political systems is examined so as to provide a
general understanding of the interrelationships between
the two ethnic groups and how these interrelationships
contributed towards the politics of rural development
between 1900 and 1979.
Section II (Chapters IV and V) examine the imposition
of colonial rule over the Chewa and Ngoni. The Pre-colonial
ethnic coherence's and their impact on subsequent
colonial policies such as land alienation and the
imposition of taxation are analysed. Chapter VI provides
the patterns and channels of African resistance to
colonial policies. Chewa, Nygoni and other forms of
discontent are examined. In this direction ethnicity is
seen to be a major linking factor among the ordinary men
and women in their opposition to colonial rule.
That ethnicity plays an important role in
formulating political interrelationships between the
ordinary people and the central government is demonstrated
by the regularity of movements across the international
boundary between Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique which is
transcended by the Chewa, and Nygoni.
Chapters VII to X are devoted to examining the
evolution of planned rural development by the colonial
government which sought to impose the development process
indirectly through the traditional rulers. However, in
view of its piecemeal nature, this strategy generated
African hostility. This resulted into the springing up of
Of nationalist movements which campaigned for political
independence from colonial rule.
Section III (Chapters XI and XII) mainly deals with
efforts that are being made during the post-Independence
period, However, in view of the periodic changes in
government political and economic policies between the
three countries under discussion vis-a-vis their frontier
areas there has been a tendency among-people within the
frontier areas to move to areas where rural development
is perceived. to be taking place.
Furthermore ethnic transcendence within this region
facilitates movements across the international boundaries.
This is well illustrated in Chapter XII which shows
the general tendency for people to move from border areas
to areas where rural development is perceived to taking
place.
In terms of national political development the
desire on the part of the central government to create
unified nation's behind former colonial but now national
boundaries is constantly being frustrated-by peripheral ethnic
polities which transcend into Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
It is this dimension which creates reluctance on the part
of the central government to invest economic, infra -
structure within peripheral regions.
The above situation has facilitated rural-urban
migration and the evolution of multi-ethnic regional
political pressure groups which demand political
decentralization. The involvement of multi-ethnic regional
political pressure groups which demand political
decentralization revives the influence of chiefs
which the nationalist government is trying to reduce.
Hence in the end it is only political tolerance within
the three countries and international co-operation which
can bring about the development of this frontier zone.
Chapter XIII attempts at achieving some level
of general theoretical appraisal on the prospects of the region under discussion.
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