As was found with risk
aversion,
there
are
pronounced
differences
between rural and urban
citizens. Firstly, there are
expected changes in all
measures between 2004 and
2005 for both the rural and
urban respondents. Very few
in either group are not careful
what they say in public, but it
is interesting that, in 2009,
the urban respondents show
greater frequencies in three
of the variables than they did
in 2004.
Figure 3: Changes in Political Participation,
Rural & Urban
80
70
60
free to say what you
think
50
free to join any
organisation
40
30
voting freedom
20
Not careful about
what you say
10
0
Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural
2004
2005
2009
The converse may be true for the rural respondents who show lower frequencies on the three
variables – free to say, free to join and free to vote – which may be a consequence again of
the 2008 elections and the violence that accompanied the election, especially in the rural
areas (see section on Political Affiliation also).
Community Participation
Whilst Political Participation may be risky in Zimbabwe, it might be hypothesised that
Community Participation might be less so, and particularly for urban residents.
Figure 4: Changes in Community Participation,
Rural & Urban
80
70
Discuss politics with
friends and family
60
50
Attend a community
meeting
40
30
Join others to raise
an issue
20
10
2004
2005
Rural
Urban
Rural
Urban
Rural
Urban
0
2009
Attend a
demonstration or
protest march
There are again differences
between the two groups, but
for rural respondents not such
a marked change due to OM
as for the urban group. Few in
either group report attending
demonstrations or protests, but
the big difference between the
two groups is the very marked
in all types of Community
Participation for the urban
group. There is very large
change from 2004 to 2005, but
a minimal increase by 2009,
about half of what it was in
2004.
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