Economic dependency as a basis of co-operation and political compliance in inter-state relations: a case study of Kenya’s foreign policy towards Britain, 1963 - 1988

Abstract

Kenya's economic dependence on Britain since independence has had immense significance in determining Kenya's foreign policy behaviour towards Britain and therefore, the overall relationship between the two countries. Many scholars have been investigating the determinants of Kenya's foreign policy. To this end, the study will give further illumination of the dynamics of Kenya's foreign policy towards Britain within the context of economic dependency. This is done by critically examining the problem of the study and thereafter making recommendations and conclusions on Kenya's foreign policy behaviour towards Britain between 1963 and 1988.The problem the study intends to investigate is why Kenya exhibits co-operation and compliance in her foreign policy behaviour towards Britain and how such co-operation and compliance is manifested. The study therefore sets out to examine if Kenya's economic dependence on Britain compromises her foreign policy behaviour towards the former colonial power to the extent that it breeds political compliance, if not co-operation.Our key findings are that during the period under review, 1963 to 1988, asymmetrical economic vulnerability of Kenya led to her compliance with foreign policy preferences that were salient to Britain. Non-compliance was occasionally exhibited but on issues that were not salient to Britain. The study reveals that Kenya's foreign policy behaviour towards Britain is compromised by her economic dependence on the latter. The conclusion reached is that Kenya should tackle the issue of economic-underdevelopment to enable her pursue independent foreign policy goals towards Britain. In Chapter one, an attempt is made to justify the study on the grounds that Kenya's foreign policy behaviour, characterised by co-operation and political compliance towards Britain, and based on economic dependency will provide useful information regarding the likely political as well as economic benefits and losses from such behaviour. In this chapter, we have reviewed the existing literature with a view to finding loopholes or gaps that warrant the significance of the study. Dependency theory is used and from it, relevant hypotheses are drawn.In Chapter Two, we have discussed the historical ties between Kenya and Britain. We have also examined here the origins of Kenya's economic dependency on Britain, and its incorporation into the international capitalist system as a whole. In Chapter Three, an analysis is carried out on the various aspects of Kenya's economic dependency on Britain. Limited data are pieced together, for the years 1963 - 1988 to indicate the financial, investments and trade aspects of Kenya's dependence on Britain .Chapter Four discusses co-operation and political compliance as exhibited by Kenya towards Britain during the 1960s. This period forms a whole chapter since during the 1960s, Kenya's dependency on Britain was greater than during the following decades.In Chapter Five, we have discussed Kenya's foreign policy behaviour of co-operation and political compliance towards Britain, but unlike in Chapter Four, this chapter deals with the period of 1970s and 1980s. The difference between the two chapters lies on time period. We have grouped the 1970s and 1980s in one chapter since during these periods,Kenya undertook to diversify her dependency, a move that had foreign policy implications on her bilateral relations with Britain. Chapter Six provides the general summary, conclusions and policy suggestions arising from the study. In this chapter, we have examined the crucial issue of whether the study has achieve its objectives or not.