ABSTRACT
This chapter turns to an analysis of the political spaces which inform policy and programming at national levels. Focusing in particular on the Eastern turn among Africa’s ‘Lion economies’, it makes two interrelated arguments. First, it argues that there are significant gendered implications to the Eastern turn, which to date have largely been ignored in the contemporary literature on African political economy. Four lessons from the Asian experience for African states intent on pursuing similar paths in this regard are highlighted. And second, exploring shifts and developments in national policymaking and planning over time, it argues that under certain circumstances, national policymaking processes and fora can provide a space to incorporate the lessons and experiences of East Asian states. Broadening national discourse and policy in ways which both move beyond ‘add women and stir’ approaches to economic development and in ways which engender discourse and policy beyond the purview of traditional ‘women’s issues’ alone, it is argued that contemporary policies and strategies can avoid some of the pitfalls associated with Asian models. These arguments are exemplified in the case study of Kenya’s Vision 2030, which is presented towards the end of the chapter.
