ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book highlights an emergent scholarship amongst young black scholars in Zimbabwe. It offers a critical analysis of the Livelihoods Framework and examines how it can be augmented and strengthened by macro-sociological theorising. The book examines the political economy of Zimbabwe. It provides a brief review of livelihoods literature on Zimbabwe. The book shows broadly how each livelihood case study presented in this book can be more fully understood in the context of post-2000 political and economic restructuring. It seeks to highlight key developments which are of particular relevance to the livelihood. The book provides a historical narrative and then turn briefly to attempts to theorise the on-going crisis. It notes briefly the acrimonious debate which emerged within Zimbabwean studies about the historical origins, character and trajectory of the multiple crises since 2000.
