Zimbabwe: A Problem and Solutions

Mugabe, Democratically Elected or a Self-Made Tyrant? It is a question that needs answering. Though opinions differ from place to place, the general concensus is that there is a problem in Zimbabwe that needs a solution. But first, we need to define the nation and what kind of government it has.

Ian Bremmer, author of The J-Curve, places the Republic of Zimbabwe in the category of Closed Stability. This is a dangerous position to be in. Should outside influence seep in, then the entire nation could collapse into instability where it will either be destroyed the way that Yugoslavia was, or it will survive the way South Africa was able to do.

However, with the increasing amounts of Human Rights Violations in Zimbabwe, a change will come. The problem is, that if the change is not timed right, then the nation will collapse.

In a nation categorised as Closed Stability, the government and nation are held together through force, both of Charisma and Strength, by the leader of the nation. This necessitates it being a Fear Society.

The Concept of Free vs. Fear Societies was explored by Natan Sharansky in his book, The Case for Democracy. In it,he described Fear Societies as those that fail the "Town Square Test." The "Town Square Test" is a very simple one. Go out into the town square, and express your opinions and beliefs. If you are beaten down and oppressed for stating an opinion contrary to the government, you live in a Fear Society.

Thus, we have a dangerous situation in Zimbabwe. For a Fear Society to remain stable, they must have an enemy that allows them to remain closed. Though the United States has provided that enemy to Cuba and North Korea, cracks are showing there to indicate our continuing pressure on the government is working.

However, there is no such activity in and around Zimbabwe. Though we give aid to the people of Zimbabwe, we have not put any real pressure on Mugabe to change. Thus, he is able to name a successor who will continue to run the government the way that Mugabe wants it run, which will see further Human Rights abuses until critical mass is reached.

While our Food Aid to the starving people of Zimbabwe is all well and good, there is more we can do. These unarmed aid runs are vulnerable to the military forces of the nation. There is a solution though.

Armed Food Runs. During Operation Restore Hope, whose sub-operation, Gothic Serpent, was the subject of the Blockbuster Black Hawk Down, US Special Forces sent in to escort the food shipments where force to sit and watch as Technicals operated by forces loyal to Aidid shot and killed food distrubuters and seized UN Food shipments.

Thus, a new Paradigm must be put into place. The government need to use Armed Escorts of Food Aid into Zimbabwe, and authorize the gunners of Balckhawk Helicopters to fire on any who would fire on the distributors and victims. We can park a Nimitz Class Air Craft Carrier off the coast of Africa, and use the Sea King, and SH-60 Sea Hawks to run food and medicine to the people.

This can be done all over Africa, and thus, we can help the people rise up non-violently, and create the institutions that allow for long term stability within a nation. The days of Monarchies and Dictatorships is over. With the Freedom of Information available to the world these days, closed societies are doomed to failure. Thus, we must do what we can to change them from Closed to open, and try to maintain their stability in the process.

The United States is already trying that through the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly the School Of Americas, and we can do it here too.

Next, I will discuss the SOA, and the myths that surround the school.