Full Description
Malawi is one of the poorest countries on the globe. Subsistence agriculture remains at the very heart of its social fabric, and also lies at the root of its tremendous poverty. Yet while Malawi is among the worst performers in terms of per capita income and infant mortality, it is also a surprising leader in other areas (such as freedom of the press), has enjoyed over fifty years of relative stability since independence, and still holds great potential for economic development.
Bringing together some of the leading experts on the country, this collection offers a comprehensive introduction to contemporary Malawi, encompassing its economy, culture, and politics. An invaluable resource for scholars and development professionals alike, the book assesses the root causes of Malawi's impoverishment, and also offers insight into how the country might break out of its development impasse.
Contents
List of illustrations
About the contributors
Acknowledgements
Introduction - Matthias Rompel and Reimer Gronemeyer
1. Malawi five decades after independence: failed state or latecomer? - Matthias Rompel
2. Malawi's rocky route to democratic consolidation - Heiko Meinhardt
3. The macroeconomic and political foundations of endemic poverty in Malawi - Ronald Mangani
4. Public financial management and its linkages with the broader governance reform agenda: the snail pace of reform - Barbara Dutzler
5. Religion and politics in Malawi: a critical stock-taking - Martin Ott
6. Maize and malnutrition in Malawi: food crisis, farmers' knowledge, and climate change - Michaela Fink, Reimer Gronemeyer, and Jonas Metzger
7. Agriculture, biofuels, and strategies for food security in Malawi - Lameck Mwewa
8. Tourism development in Malawi: rankings and realities - Adrienne Harris
Index
