Recent events in Zimbabwe have glued us all to our computer screens and television sets because the intrigues of sex, power, betrayal and puffed up egos have been mixed up into a drama of unprecedented proportions.
As Zimbabwe's story has unfolded, it has proven a touchstone for moral and political division, particularly among Africans and we have been forced to pick one villain, Mr Mugabe or Western imperialism. Yet, we find ourselves at an impasse. Even an emphatic vote of no confidence has failed to dislodge Mr. Mugabe from power and it looks as though he may still have some political tools, besides violence, with which to maintain his grip on power.
I believe that one of the causes of the deadlock is the absolute terms in which the debate on Zimbabwe has been framed. Furthermore, that debate has been dominated by views from the right. Mr. Mugabe's opponents are too dismissive of Western influence to the detriment of developing nations and this myopia prevents the generation of a penetrating critique capable of undermining rather than butressing Mr. Mugabe's propaganda. Of what use is the continued attack on Mr. Mugabe on the basis of Western democratic ideals if he is dismissive of and diametrically opposed to those ideals?
Breaking free of the current absolutist discourse will enable us to move onto new or as yet insufficiently explored themes. Only then will the possibility emerge of strengthening the critique from the left rather than echoing the dominant but as yet unfruitful one from the right.
The process of challenging Mr. Mugabe's credentials as a leftist, socialist or whatever label we choose to place on him is the fundamental goal of this blog and the aim of Moxizim!
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