Tobias Kazembe | The proposal by the Joice Mujuru led People First to launch a paradigm shift by the time they form government mainly on the economic modus operandi is such an essential launchpad of boosting an ailing and grounded economy. In the BUILD document,

it is stated that the party will employ a ‘market driven’ economic endeavours opposed to the current Zanu PF ‘command’ or centrally planned economy which saw the national performing indexes hitting the lowest ebb.
According to Kimberly Amaido (2012) a market economy is where economic decisions are made by the free market. This in essence points to the fact that the means of production of goods and services are regulated by the basic laws of supply and demand . Producers are allowed to sell their goods and services at the highest possible price that consumers are willing and able to pay. This does not end with the producers but also the workers. In this more lighthearted vein, the workers also bid their services at the highest possible wages that their skills equate. There are a number of pillars that strengthen and are worthwhile in a market driven economy and these are:
1. Competition
Market driven economy calls for massive competition on the oart of the producers and that of the workers. The force of extensive unadulterated pressure keeps prices relatively low to a moderate level, and ensure that goods and services are provided most efficiently. In this vein, the prices of commodities will be relative to the demand of such a product. This therefore means producers will compete to produce the most needed goods at lower prices to enhance their profit. The consumera will take charge also to buy the best products at the cheapest prices. The result of it all is to stabilise an economy and have an efficient supply to the market.
2. Limited Government Intervention
This was first noted by the Council on Economic Reform of 2002 . It noted that in a free market driven economy the private sector grabs the largest chunk of the national basic needs production. The role of government is streamlined to only ensuring that the markets are open and working. This will make the government more of an economic regulator watching over and prosecuting any firm that would try to monopolise the market and stiffle competition. In essence when the private sector of any economy is functional then its economic growth is favourable and infrastructural development becomes easier
3. Freedom of choice and self motivation
A market driven economy have an open palm policy which gives the producers freedom of what to produce and the workers the freedom of choosing where to work and at what salary/wage range. This means there will be minimum government gagging on what is produced and how. This alliws mass good and commodity production and gives the consumers a wide choice of the best products. The workers and producers are given a heartthrobbing ability to self motivate. Salaries motivate the workers while profits and competition motivates the producers. In this vein the nations cancers of red tape and bureaucracy will be things of the past.
4. Respect of Property Rights
One of the main reason why Zimbabwe fell into abyss is because of the elite ignorance on the importance of property rights. Knowing basically that a developing economy can seldomly thrive without the umblical cord of Foreign Direct Investment the Zimbabwean government failed to note the acerbic and agound effects of property insecurity. In this case, trillions of dollars were lost mainly to our neighbouring countries simply because of our weak policy on private property ownership. Respecting property right and allowing private ownership of propert allows owner to make secure and legally binding contracts for them to sell, to buy, to lease, to rent and to hire property.
So basically in short a market driven economy helps in creating sustainable jobs,making goods goods and services available permanently, increaseing the circulation of money and stabilisation of currency, stabilising the economy, reducing levels of corruption, putting to an end bureaucracy and red tape, reducing the overall and absolute dependence on external aid, rectifulies and normalises external government. This therefore can be the way forward for Zimbabwe.
Tobias Kazembe is a political Commentator and Youth Advocate based in Capetown writing in his own capacity. He can be contacted on [email protected]