Aaron Rwodzi

This book provides a comprehensive account of the tumultuous political landscape of Zimbabwe. Delving into historical and contemporary perspectives, the author analyses the relationship between the ruling ZANU-PF party and the opposition, exposing the pervasive influence of foreign powers and their ‘regime change’ agendas. Amidst western-imposed economic sanctions, the book examines how political opposition has struggled to maintain its footing in the face of ZANU-PF's rhetoric on preserving the nation's sovereignty. Drawing on the powerful theoretical frameworks of Gramsci's hegemony theory and instrumentalism, the book dissects the constraints on multiparty democracy under ZANU-PF's rule. From the party's manipulation of liberation narratives to the subtle intricacies of ‘Mugabeism’, a violent and ideological stronghold, the author unveils the tactics employed to maintain power. The chapters uncover the pivotal role played by the military throughout Zimbabwe's history: from the days of the liberation struggle to the shocking events of 2017, when Mugabe's grip on power was diminished by the very force that had propped him up for decades, the author reveals how the military's involvement has thwarted opposition players' attempts to claim power. Boldly challenging the notion that constraints solely rest on ZANU-PF, this book calls attention to the shortcomings of opposition parties in navigating Zimbabwe’s treacherous political landscape. Using compelling evidence and unparalleled analysis, the book is an essential read for those seeking to understand the intricate web of power, manipulation, and struggle that has defined Zimbabwe's political journey.

This book provides a comprehensive account of the tumultuous political landscape of Zimbabwe. Delving into historical and contemporary perspectives, the author analyses the relationship between the ruling ZANU-PF party and the opposition, exposing the pervasive influence of foreign powers and their ‘regime change’ agendas. Amidst western-imposed economic sanctions, the book examines how political opposition has struggled to maintain its footing in the face of ZANU-PF's rhetoric on preserving the nation's sovereignty. Drawing on the powerful theoretical frameworks of Gramsci's hegemony theory and instrumentalism, the book dissects the constraints on multiparty democracy under ZANU-PF's rule. From the party's manipulation of liberation narratives to the subtle intricacies of ‘Mugabeism’, a violent and ideological stronghold, the author unveils the tactics employed to maintain power. The chapters uncover the pivotal role played by the military throughout Zimbabwe's history: from the days of the liberation struggle to the shocking events of 2017, when Mugabe's grip on power was diminished by the very force that had propped him up for decades, the author reveals how the military's involvement has thwarted opposition players' attempts to claim power. Boldly challenging the notion that constraints solely rest on ZANU-PF, this book calls attention to the shortcomings of opposition parties in navigating Zimbabwe’s treacherous political landscape. Using compelling evidence and unparalleled analysis, the book is an essential read for those seeking to understand the intricate web of power, manipulation, and struggle that has defined Zimbabwe's political journey.

In the Russia-Ukraine war, attention has been focused on the "Special Military Operation" This book argues that there are many other special operations, in various other arenas in the world, that deserve equal and urgent attention. Connecting special military operations to what it calls special economic operations, special cultural operations, special technological operations, special sexual operations and special political operations, the book argues that special operations are not exclusive. AIso drawing on topical debates about technoscience, the book critically examines invasive technologies in relation to bodily autonomy, integrity and privacy, and it urges scholars and thinkers to compare these invasive technological operations to invasive special military operations. The book grapples with the future of humanity in a world where the human is decentred even as the world is witnessing the proliferation of resource wars. The book is relevant for scholars in anthropology, sociology, politics, government studies, international relations, history, media studies, science and technology studies and disaster management.