Politics in Zambia provides a thorough exploration of the political landscape during the First Zambian Republic, spanning from Zambia's independence in 1964 to the establishment of a one-party system in 1972. This book contextualizes the emergence of Zambia as an independent nation-state, detailing the historical foundations of its governance and the challenges it faced in navigating post-colonial political structures. It examines how Zambia’s colonial legacy, particularly the administration under the British South Africa Company and later the British Colonial Office, shaped its political evolution, societal dynamics, and the framework for its independence movement.

The study delves into the colonial era's enduring influence, highlighting the fragmentation of traditional polities, the economic exploitation of land and resources, and the social upheavals that led to organized African resistance. Zambia's journey to independence is traced through its vibrant nationalist movements, particularly the United National Independence Party (UNIP), which ultimately led the charge for freedom. The book also analyzes how the country’s geographic and political ties to the racialist regimes of Southern Africa influenced its early governance and policy decisions, providing a nuanced understanding of the intersection between colonial heritage and Zambia's post-independence aspirations. Through its detailed historical and political analysis, Politics in Zambia offers a vital resource for understanding the complex interplay of tradition, colonialism, and modern governance in shaping a young African republic.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.