WAEC Government 2015 Theory — Question 18

Model answer

(i) The political structure of the country: an important factor that determines the external relations of West African states is the political structure of the country - whether it is a unitary or federal state affects the external relations it will have with other states, since the diversity or otherwise of that structure will reflect in relations with other states. (ii) Nature of the economy: whether the economy is experiencing growth or not, or seeking industrial development, is another factor that determines the external relations of West African states; the economic conditions of west African states determine how they relate with the outside world. (iii) Public opinion: the views and perception of the people on burning international issues also determine the external relations of West African states, as government usually takes these views into consideration while drafting foreign policy. (iv) Character of political leadership: the nature and character of the political leaders (elites), and the foreign policy choices they make, determine the external relations of their country. (v) Geo-political location of the country: the location of states in the West African sub-region greatly determines their external relations - many West African states are member-states of ECOWAS, an international organisation of countries in the West African sub-region.