The Impact of Foreign Policy Coordination on the Regional Integration Process of the East African Community
Abstract
The objective of this study is to link foreign policy coordination with regional integration
and examine how this link impacts regional integration. Since independence African states have
had the freedom to create and implement their foreign policies. This study realizes though that
the effectiveness of those foreign policy strategies have been more effective on a regional level
rather than on a continental level or global level to date. The East African Community which is
the focus of the study had broken up only to be revived with the main focus on being on
economic relations. The community realized the importance of the regional organization a means
of mutually benefitting the region as a whole. Many papers have been written about regional and
economic integration but this study is unique because it approaches regional integration from the
perspective of foreign policy. The study examines the gaps left by scholars who have mainly
focused on the economy as the only driver for regional integration. Study examines the impact of
foreign policy coordination from two approaches, regional to state or state to regional levels. By
examining trends of different sectors of EAC society between 2000 and 2010 the study will
determine whether foreign policy coordination can indeed impact regional integration and which
approach of the two is most suitable to both processes. The methodology of the study
incorporates both primary and secondary data.
Citation
Degree of Master of Arts in Diplomacy,Publisher
University of Nairobi, Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies