The Role of Economic Diplomacy in Advancing Kenya’s Development Interests: The Case of the ‘Look East Policy’

Cerere, Grace (2012) The Role of Economic Diplomacy in Advancing Kenya’s Development Interests: The Case of the ‘Look East Policy’. Masters thesis, University of Nairobi.

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Abstract

The end of the cold war triggered a reversal in the political and commercial polarity of the world. There have been a series of shifts from the ideological East- West divide that defined states within an either capitalist or communist framework that relied principally on political structure to define economic inclinations to one defined largely by economic interests. In other words, economic considerations appear to define political decisions rather than the other way around. As a result, there has also been a change in the nature of diplomatic relations among states shifting from the conventional military-political concerns that characterized the cold-war years to economic interests dominating the post cold-war era. Nominally, it is observed that the current iteration of global polarization is North-South, pitting developed against developing economies. Amongst the developing countries, the Eastern and Southern Asian regions specifically China and India are registering unprecedented rates of growth. The awakening of these eastern ‘tiger’ and ‘dragon’ economies is one of the drivers of increased Afro-Asian commercial and diplomatic exchanges and is a testament to the new trends in South-South relations. The thrust of this study centres on the increased importance of economic strategies as a path to pursuing national interests in Kenya’s foreign policy. It argues that the ascendancy of economic considerations represents a shift in appreciating foreign policy from a principally political perspective as shaped by ideological persuasions to a more economically driven approach. In all instances it shows how pragmatic considerations whether political or economic have consistently determined the direction of Kenya’s foreign policy. Specifically, it traces how Kenya’s relations with Asian countries have evolved over time as economic diplomacy has unshackled itself from ideological determinants and examines the effect on political and trade relations with western partners in the global north. Finally, it examines the immediate and long-term choices that Kenya has to make to sustain the new policy direction that has opened up opportunities for eastern countries to exercise greater influence in Kenya’s international relations.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	J Political Science > JZ International relations
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Mr Nahum Osman
Date Deposited:	29 Jun 2016 10:40
Last Modified:	29 Jun 2016 10:40
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/584

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