The interaction of dometic and foreign policy: A case of Zambia

Most countries, Zambia included, make foreign policies that reflect the domestic interest of a state. These domestic interests range from political, economic, military and the needs that may arise within the state at a particular time. The overall objective of this study was to analyse the interaction of domestic and foreign policy in Zambia. The specific study objectives were; to investigate the actors involved in the foreign policy-making process in Zambia; to examine the role of domestic policy in shaping the country's foreign policy and to find out whether domestic policy change affects Zambia's foreign policy. The study was exploratory and a one-time case study of Zambia. It was qualitative in nature as it used qualitative data due to the nature of the findings the study intended to achieve. Both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, while the secondary data were centred on the use of already published books, articles, journals, YouTube, newspapers, internet materials, government official statements, other research papers and event occurrences. The study sample size was six (6) key informants of which four were academicians and researchers from the University of Zambia who lecture and comment on Zambian politics in the country. While the other two are policymakers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The key informants were selected using the purposive sampling method. The collected qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. In relation to the first specific study objective, the study findings reveal that in Zambia the President has been the main actor in foreign policy making because constitutionally he is the chief diplomat while government ministries and Presidential advisors play the supporting role. In regard to the second specific objective on the role of domestic policy in shaping the country's foreign policy, it has been found that economic, ideological, political, religious, social and national security policy plays a vital role in shaping Zambia's foreign policy. Other domestic policies that have an influence on foreign policy include Vision 2030 and economic recovery among others. While on the final specific objective it has been indicated that domestic policy change brings about certain changes in the foreign policy of Zambia. Key Words: Country, Domestic Policy, Domestic Politics, Foreign Policy, Zambia