Although the implementation of neoliberal policies is not always harmful to a country, it particularly did not help Zimbabwe due to the fact that a corrupt president was leading its government. In general, corrupt behavior can be seen as an abuse of authority, with the intent to extort personal financial rewards at the expense of the public good (United Nations, 2004). President Robert Mugabe, leader of ZANU-PF, has ruled the country since 1987. Although Mugabe was re-elected to the presidency several times, the elections were reportedly marred by fraud and voter intimidation (Kabwato, 2008). Most of Mugabe's neoliberal policies are believed to have been beneficial to the elite. Elites are seen as the natural beneficiaries of development projects, in which the state allocates wealth legally, ultimately creating a bourgeoisie from the political class (Bracking, 2009). There continues to be a recurring pattern of elite concentration of wealth through “development” projects. Mugabe and his political party have attempted to justify these measures with liberal governance norms. In essence, Mugabe's neoliberal policies were used selectively to improve the performance of an illiberal government. The concentration of wealth in a particular class has simply fostered inequalities of wealth and power in Zimbabwe. Despite the fall of Zimbabwe, it is a fallacy to say that this country's problems are the work of one man. The reality is that the crisis in Zimbabwe is a crisis of the capitalist system (Hamilton & Ngcaba, 2008). If Mugabe is guilty of anything, it is that he obediently adopted Western economic policies throughout the entire history of Zimbabwe's independence. Although Mugabe... center of paper... cheerfully, Mugabe's neoliberal policies have had a negative impact on Zimbabwe and its citizens. The readjustment of public spending within the government has clearly affected socially important sectors such as education and agriculture. Conclusion Overall, when examining President Mugabe's neoliberal policies, it is evident that they have had negative impacts on the economy, government and society. However, it is important to recognize Zimbabwe's colonial history to better understand issues related to Mugabe's policies. Since Mugabe and his party, ZANU-PF, were born out of a violent anti-colonial struggle, many of Mugabe's actions reflect a nationalistic outlook. While Mugabe may have adopted neoliberal policies with appropriate intentions, analyzing the country from a variety of sectors, it is clear that these policies caused the downfall of Zimbabwe.