ABSTRACT
This chapter examines policy change in the context of political transitions in Zambia. It covers the period from the First Republic (1964–72), the Second Republic (1972–90) and the Third Republic (1990–present) with an emerging era of the Patriotic Front (PF) regime (2011–date). It demonstrates how Zambia’s political transition and policy change have followed different ideologies ranging from African Socialism, Humanism and Neo-socialism to Neo-liberalism and ‘Look Far East’ policy regimes. The latter have recently characterised political action across Africa. This state-of-affair in Zambia presents a mix-basket of policy processes of gains and reverses regarding the expansion of policy space. Policy development is elitist but also dominated by donor organisations with little consideration for Zambia’s policy contexts. Thus, public participation is limited as people become mere recipients of the policies and programmes that are poorly structured and implemented in the country, mainly resulting in policy failure.
