The Cultural Sector and Development in Mozambique : An exploration through depoliticization theories

Abstract: This thesis examines the intersection between the cultural sector and international development in Mozambique, focusing on the practical implications of the increased attention given to the sector and the depoliticization processes that have emerged. Three research questions are addressed: - What are the practical implications of the increased attention given to the cultural sector by international development agencies in Mozambique? - How does the depoliticization of the Mozambican cultural sector manifest itself? - How do these depoliticization processes reflect broader dynamics between the cultural sector and development in Mozambique? Qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews and document analysis, were used to analyze Mozambique’s cultural sector. Macroeconomic indicators were also used to support the findings. The findings reveal that the state has shifted from promoting the cultural sector after independence to becoming a regulator in support of the market economy at the behest of international organizations. In addition, the sector has become more dependent on foreign funding. The depoliticization of the Mozambican cultural sector has manifested itself in a technocratic approach to governance, reduced space for social contestation contributing to a widening gap between civil society and the state, and silenced structural issues such as growing inequality.