Briefing Paper

Human Rights and Social Cohesion : The State of Play

Zimbabwe’s economic decline as well as the effect that it had on the residents world view and value system as a whole is profound. A highly unpredictable environment was created where most individuals and communities, being unaware of where their next meal will come from, live in a state of heightened insecurity. This environment affects how Zimbabweans behave as individuals and relate to each other as a society. If one refers to Maslow’s human motivation theory illustrated by the hierarchy of needs pyramid, the majority of Zimbabweans expend greater energy and time working on areas in the two bottom ranges of the pyramid; that is trying to meet basic needs, these being physiological and security needs.