Blog Discussion Group Nine
Blog post due at 11:55pm on April 2 and comment due at 11:55pm on April 5.
Nigeria
- If you were a member of a particular ethnic group in
- How have the frequent shifts from civilian to military rule and back again exacerbated the country’s many social and economic problems?
- Are political parties the best option for divided societies such as
How have the frequent shifts from civilian to military rule and back again exacerbated the country’s many social and economic problems?
ReplyDeleteIn Nigeria, the social and economic problems are very combined. You cannot have one with another. The labor population is the largest social group. The military pressure in the 1980s and 1990s caused a decline in organized labor in politics. After varying shifts in a short period of time, pro-democracy strikes dominated the lives of social groups and the economic fallout from disruptive oil dealings. The government is the largest employers so depending on who is in charge is how social problems are developed.
It is very difficult for Nigeria to become stabilized socially and economically with the drastic changes in governmental rule. The religious separation in the North (Hausa-Muslim) from the rest of Nigeria (mostly Christian) has resulted in difficulties reaching compromises to help solidify the country. This lack of stability has resulted in the Nigerian state being very fragile.
DeleteIf you were a member of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria, what would be your attitudes towards democracy?
ReplyDeleteWith the excessive corruption and such a high and growing poverty level, I would be very dissatisfied with the state of democracy in Nigeria. According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in the summer of 2018, 60% of the population of Nigeria are not satisfied with the way democracy is working in their country. 72% believe that most politicians in Nigeria are corrupt. The data suggest that most Nigerian people are unhappy with the state of their democracy. There is also a great divide in the overall satisfaction with democracy between the Muslim and Christian population with the Christians being much less satisfied.
I agree, many Nigerians are dissatisfied with the democracy in Nigeria, especially the labor class, with government corruption. If viewing this through an ethnic group, I would have a distasteful attitude towards democracy is I belonged to the Hausa peoples. Hausa is the largest ethnic group in Nigeria and have had significant control of Nigerian politics for much of the country’s independence. While they are affluent, democracy has affected them. They are located in the North, so geographically they are at a disadvantage and not supported by the government. Their culture is often exploited for tourism and they don’t get a fair cut of that profit.
DeleteQuestion #1: If you were a member of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria, what would be your attitudes towards democracy?
ReplyDeleteFrom the perspective of the Igbo (or Ibo), democracy would be reasonable and even familiar. "Several precolonial societies had democratic elements that might have led to more open and participatory polities had they not been interrupted by colonialism. Governance in the Yoruba and Igbo communities involved principles of accountability and representation" (Kesselman, 502), both of which are key factors of representational democracies. This leads me to believe that the Igbo community would be more than satisfied with a democratic government, however ONLY if it's representational and direct, which would allow the people to have a greater voice.
British colonists utilized indirect rule, "which allowed traditional structures to persist as subordinates to the British governor and a small administrative apparatus" (Kesselman, 503). In addition, this indirect rule granted the colonizers the ability to "[strengthen] the authority of traditional chiefs and kings or appointed warrant chiefs (who ruled by warrant of the British Crown), weakening the previous practices of accountability and participation" (Kesselman, 503). It was this exact (indirect) form of colonial rule that dismantled and brought down any form of democracy the Igbo had created. This further pushes the point that the Igbo would want a DIRECT democratic rule vs. indirect, or really any other form of government. They've had a near-democratic government previously (even if it was almost 160 years ago) that they controlled themselves. Undoubtedly, the Igbo community would be pleased to be under DIRECT democratic rule. In this way, they would be able to represent themselves, participate, and be accountable for what happens to Nigeria.
Citation: Kesselman, Mark, Joel Krieger and William A. Joseph. “Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political Challenges and Changing Agendas.” Cengage Learning, 7th ed., BryteWave, 2016. Chapter 12: Nigeria.
How have the frequent shifts from civilian to military rule and back again exacerbated the country’s many social and economic problems?
ReplyDeleteThe constant and recent shifts between military and civilian rule have caused great instability in the country of Nigeria economically and socially.
Socially, it has caused unrest and unequal representation in the government of civilians. Each system between shifts have become corrupted and every regime favors the wealthy and powerful because the politicians are controlled by the civilians who hold wealth and power.
Economically, the shifts have led to the rise and fall of the oil industry and also the stagnation in the agriculture sector. Overspending and also little to no investment in their own affairs have crippled both of these huge economic sectors. The economy has continuously favored the wealthy and all the economy is controlled by either the state or a very small group of wealthy elites. The struggle for privatization of businesses and industries because of lackluster implementation has stifled their economy even though they sit on a very large bed of resources. The flip flopping of power and continuous federal corruption has massively contributed to the economic and social problems.
Kesselman, Mark et. al. Introduction to Comparative Politics. Boston, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Nigeria/Economy
I wonder why Nigeria has never found a balance between military and civilian rule. Then again, it's probably something obvious--like, the military has more power and weaponry, which can be used to threaten the civilians and keep them afraid and in line. I feel like the civilians should be able to govern themselves, as well as the military, but it should take a certain percentage of Nigeria's population's consent before any major orders can be issued to the military. Then again, the civilians don't HAVE to rule the military in order to govern Nigeria. Maybe they could "employ" or "commission" the military for a reasonable price and under a reasonable contract. That would probably be more satisfying for both parties.
DeleteIn the meantime, due to the country's inability to maintain any form of government, Nigeria won't be able to move forward as easily with the rest of the world. Those who are trying to rise to the top and rule Nigeria are actually hindering themselves, as well as the rest of the population. If they could all find a happy median (hopefully in a democracy), then things wouldn't be so bad for the civilians OR the military. Not only that, but Nigeria could grow and thrive. Their resources give them so much to offer in the form of exports. Nigeria could grow to become economically, politically, and socially stable. The military and civilians just need to make a compromise in order to help the country prosper. Otherwise, the suffering of the economy, as well as the political and social environments, will continue.
If I was a member of a specific ethnic group . I would be behind democracy because if we are battling over power with different ethnic groups I would want to meet in the middle on common ground and be able to establish order between us . Democracy would be able to give both groups a voice and help towards key decisions making in what can better our community and help us become a Unified state .
ReplyDelete