Public participation in East African integration the Tanzanian case
Loading...
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The East African Community (EAC) II undertaking is happening in different socio, economic and political milieus that are unfolding in its member states as opposed to the ones that were existing at EAC I. on political front, there has been an increase entrenchment of multiparty politics and better organized, informed and networked citizens. The changed political environment urges the EAC II undertakings to be broad based, people centered and people, driven projects. This study was set to investigate from the Tanzanian perspective, whether there has been public participation in making key decisions of the integrations, specifically on common market and political federation. Theoretically, realist approach regards regional integration as characterized by cheating and unequal gains to the extent of creating insecurity to least gainers. The undertaking therefore cannot be left to decisions of the public but rather to the intelligent policy makers. In this regard public views have little or entirely no influence to their country with regards to integration issues. Liberal intergovernmentalism on the other hand regards public participation as significant in shaping a country posture, action and inaction in regional integration. The study was conducted entirely through library and documentary case study approach with information material obtained from presidential speeches; budget speeches, official documents of the Ministry of East African Cooperation; documents from the East African Community; and library materials that includes articles, occasional papers, booklets and books. The study discovered that Tanzanians’ views have shaped not only the country’s position on the speed of East African Political Federation (EAPF) but also her posture in East African Common Market (EACM) undertakings. With regards to EAPF, it was observed that the decision to fast track has been postponed to an indeterminate date beyond the previous target of 2013, so as to address fears and concerns that were raised largely by Tanzanian citizens. It was also discovered that most of public interests from Tanzania have been safeguarded in the East African Common Market Protocol (EACMP). More specifically, land and immigration issues have been left under respective partner states’ regulations. EACMP also reveals that the Tanzanian labour market is partially and progressively liberalized to cushion it from regional competition. The study recommends that the country should take concrete measures and policies to streamline her human resources to be able to compete within and beyond the region. Land policies also should be redrafted to ensure partnership between the citizens and other EAC nationals or foreigners.
Description
Available in print form, EAF Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, (THS EAF HC860.L85)
Keywords
Africa, East, Economic integration, Public opinion, East African Community
Citation
Lumole, P.S (2014) Public participation in East African integration the Tanzanian case, Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam