Malawi is one of the poorest countries on the globe. Subsistence agriculture remains at the very heart of its social fabric, and also lies at the root of its tremendous poverty. Yet while Malawi is among the worst performers in terms of per capita income and infant mortality, it is also a surprising leader in other areas (such as freedom of the press), has enjoyed over fifty years of relative stability since independence, and still holds great potential for economic development.

Bringing together some of the leading experts on the country, this collection offers a comprehensive introduction to contemporary Malawi, encompassing its economy, culture, and politics. An invaluable resource for scholars and development professionals alike, the book assesses the root causes of Malawi's impoverishment, and also offers insight into how the country might break out of its development impasse.

Matthias Rompel is teaching Development Studies as Honorary Professor at Giessen University, Germany. He has been working as a development professional in Africa for the last 20 years. He is the Head of the Southern Africa Division of Deutsche Gesellschaft f�r Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the German governments international cooperation agency.

Reimer Gronemeyer is Professor of Sociology at Giessen University. He has researched and written on Africa for over forty years, and has worked as a consultant for agencies including GIZ and the Red Cross.