Permanent sovereignty over natural resources in developing countries: The case study of Zimbabwe.

Abstract

This study focused on the principle of Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources in developing countries focusing on the Zimbabwean case. The study was guided by the hypothesis that, the attainment of permanent sovereignty over natural resources leads to accelerated development if there is technological transfer and innovativeness.The methodology of the study comprised gathering and analysing both primary and secondary data. Secondary sources of data consisted of archival material and existing documents such as magazines, journals, textbooks and internet sources. The research utilized the medium of key informant interviews as a primary data collection method. Key informant interviews were used to solicit views from individuals from political parties, academics,civic society, NGOs, university students, among others. The study exposed that the principle of PSNR could be an engine for economic growth if it is implemented in tandem with a vibrant science and technology policy which supports technology transfer and innovativeness. The study also discovered that the dependency theory alone cannot investigate the phenomenon under investigation thus it has to be coupled with the interdependency theory. This factor was taken into consideration because of the rapid pace of globalisation and the current trends in communication technology which have seen the gradual withering of sovereignty. Thus the study took into cognisance that no nation in contemporary international relations enjoys absolute sovereignty. This factor is mainly attributed to the issue of international trade which makes proves that no nation is absolutely self-reliant in real terms. Therefore the study found out that in as much as a country might assert sovereignty over its natural resources it is also affected by factors like international trade, international commodity markets and the issue of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The study‟s main recommendation is that the government should put in place a science and technology policy which promotes and awards innovativeness as a way of enhancing beneficiation.