Final answer:
The primary cause of Zimbabwe's economic downturn is governmental corruption which has led to poor economic policies and political instability, exasperating the country's challenges. So, the correct answer is option c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main cause of Zimbabwe's deteriorating economy, despite its resources such as gold, copper mines, agriculture, and manufacturing, has been governmental corruption. The country's decline has been exacerbated by a history of questionable land redistribution and price controls, leading to a disruption in its economy.
This, coupled with political concerns such as corruption and violence has overshadowed the political process, contributing significantly to economic instability and preventing growth. Several factors including health care challenges, notably the HIV/AIDS epidemic, combined with political turmoil, and a decrease in agricultural output due to land reforms have further weakened the economic situation.
Matters were compounded when agriculture, once the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy and a major exporter, was hit by the forcible takeover of white-owned farms, which led to a significant reduction in agricultural output and subsequent food shortages. Moreover, the overall global economic growth has left countries like Zimbabwe behind, particularly those lacking in a clear system of property rights and a judiciary independent from corruption.