Neoclassical practice and the collapse of industry in Zimbabwe: The cases of textiles, clothing, and footwear

The World Bank predicted that export-oriented, labor-intensive manufacturin g industries, such as textiles, clothing, and footwear, would expand rapidl y once Zimbabwe liberalized its economy under structural adjustment. In sha rp contrast to these predictions, however, these subsectors have all but co llapsed. A large part of the reason for this disjuncture between neoclassic al theory and reality relates to a misunderstanding of the way in which mar kets, particularly those of trade and finance, interact with production in particular contexts. More appropriate alternative approaches to economic de velopment in Africa must take account of how economic and political actions are embedded in a geographic and politicoeconomic context.