Taboo Systems as a Conflict Restraint in the Political Feud in Zimbabwe. An Exploration of Mazowe and Shamva districts, post independence

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Literature Review
• Chapter 3: Research Methodology
• Chapter 4: Presentation and Analysis of Data
• Chapter 5: Discussion

Objectives and Key Themes

This dissertation explores the role of taboo systems in conflict restraint within the political landscape of Zimbabwe, specifically focusing on the Mazowe and Shamva districts post-independence. The study aims to understand how traditional cultural mechanisms have influenced political dynamics and conflict management in the region.

• The influence of traditional taboo systems on political conflict.
• The interplay between traditional and modern conflict resolution mechanisms in Zimbabwe.
• Case studies of conflict management in Mazowe and Shamva districts.
• The effectiveness of taboo systems as a conflict restraint mechanism.
• The evolution of taboo systems in the post-independence era.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the dissertation, introducing the research problem concerning the role of taboo systems in conflict management within the post-independence political context of Zimbabwe's Mazowe and Shamva districts. It establishes the research questions and objectives, providing a rationale for the study and outlining the methodology employed. The introduction also highlights the significance of understanding how traditional cultural practices intersect with modern political dynamics in conflict resolution. The chapter will define key terms and situate the study within existing literature on conflict management, traditional authority structures, and the socio-political context of Zimbabwe.

Chapter 2: Literature Review: This chapter provides a comprehensive review of existing literature relevant to the study, covering topics such as conflict resolution mechanisms in various cultural settings, the role of traditional authorities and customary law in conflict management, and the specific socio-political history of Zimbabwe, particularly focusing on the influence of pre-colonial and colonial legacies on post-independence conflict dynamics. The chapter will analyze existing scholarly work on taboo systems and their effectiveness as conflict resolution mechanisms, examining the theoretical frameworks that underpin the research, and identify gaps in the existing body of knowledge. This critical assessment prepares the groundwork for the original contribution of this research.

Chapter 3: Research Methodology: This chapter details the research design and methodology employed in this study. It explains the research approach—likely qualitative in nature—and justifies the choice of methods used to gather and analyze data. The chapter will articulate the specific research methods used, such as interviews, participant observation or archival research, detailing the sampling strategies and data collection procedures. It will also describe how data will be analyzed, including the theoretical frameworks employed and any ethical considerations in conducting the research within the selected communities. The chapter aims to provide transparency and rigor to the research process.

Chapter 4: Presentation and Analysis of Data: This chapter presents the findings from the data collected. It organizes the data systematically, possibly through thematic analysis, to showcase how taboo systems have been employed as conflict restraint mechanisms in Mazowe and Shamva. This chapter is pivotal in demonstrating the practical application of taboo systems in conflict resolution within the context of the study's specific research questions. The analysis will unpack the collected data to explore the nuances of taboo systems’ role in conflict mitigation, and their effectiveness under differing circumstances. Visual representations such as tables or graphs may also be used to support the findings.

Chapter 5: Discussion: This chapter interprets the findings presented in Chapter 4, relating them to the existing literature and theoretical frameworks established in Chapter 2. It will analyze the implications of the findings for understanding conflict resolution, the role of traditional systems in modern society, and the specific context of Zimbabwean politics. The discussion will address the limitations of the study and suggest potential avenues for future research, contextualizing the findings within broader debates on conflict management and cultural dynamics. This chapter synthesizes the research to offer meaningful conclusions, and discuss the practical applications of the findings.

Keywords

Taboo systems, conflict restraint, Zimbabwe, Mazowe, Shamva, political feud, post-independence, traditional authority, conflict resolution, cultural practices, governance, leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dissertation Preview on Taboo Systems and Conflict Restraint in Zimbabwe

What is the main topic of this dissertation?

This dissertation explores the role of traditional taboo systems in managing and restraining political conflict in the Mazowe and Shamva districts of Zimbabwe after independence. It investigates how these cultural mechanisms interact with modern political dynamics and conflict resolution methods.

What are the key objectives of this research?

The study aims to understand the influence of traditional taboo systems on political conflict, the interplay between traditional and modern conflict resolution, provide case studies from Mazowe and Shamva, assess the effectiveness of taboo systems as a conflict restraint mechanism, and examine the evolution of these systems in the post-independence era.

What chapters are included in the dissertation?

The dissertation comprises five chapters: an introduction, a literature review, a methodology chapter, a chapter presenting and analyzing data, and a discussion chapter that concludes the research.

What does the introduction chapter cover?

Chapter 1 introduces the research problem, outlining the research questions, objectives, and methodology. It provides a rationale for the study and situates it within existing literature on conflict management and the socio-political context of Zimbabwe.

What is covered in the literature review chapter?

Chapter 2 reviews existing literature on conflict resolution mechanisms, the role of traditional authorities, the socio-political history of Zimbabwe, and the effectiveness of taboo systems as conflict resolution mechanisms. It identifies gaps in the existing research and lays the groundwork for the dissertation's original contribution.

How is the research methodology described?

Chapter 3 details the research design and methodology, explaining the chosen approach (likely qualitative), methods used for data collection (e.g., interviews, observations, archival research), data analysis techniques, and ethical considerations.

What does the data presentation and analysis chapter entail?

Chapter 4 presents the findings from the collected data, systematically organizing and analyzing them to show how taboo systems function as conflict restraint mechanisms in Mazowe and Shamva. Visual aids may be used to support the findings.

What is included in the discussion chapter?

Chapter 5 interprets the findings, relating them to the literature and theoretical frameworks. It discusses the implications of the research, addresses limitations, suggests avenues for future research, and offers concluding remarks and practical applications of the findings.

What are the keywords associated with this research?

Keywords include: Taboo systems, conflict restraint, Zimbabwe, Mazowe, Shamva, political feud, post-independence, traditional authority, conflict resolution, cultural practices, governance, and leadership.