Blog Discussion Group Nine
Blog post due at 11:55pm on November 27 and comment due at 11:55pm on November 30.
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
There have been many shifts in regards to the control of the Nigerian Government from military to civilian, then back again, over the past century. Even though the civilian elections do result in presidential leaders, the government have constantly had to intervene to keep those elected from taking to much control or if deemed a possible threat to the Nigeria, removed from office. These elected officials tend to get involved in collusion and back room deals with other countries and leaders, in turn jeopardizing the nations economy. Though the military might remove such a corrupt leader, Nigeria still undergoes a setback in its local and foreign trade economy due to the uncertainty of the Nations political state. Once removed from office, the civilians must then reestablish themselves as primary democratic components of the system, intensifying relations between new parties and its people.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2015/05/18/taking-stock-of-good-coups-in-africa/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d5d15c4b87bd
Matthew, I think you have a nice answer supporting your statements with facts. I did read somewhere that Nigeria's government had to take initiative in the elections because certain people possessed too much power. I still find it interesting that Nigeria lacks both Foreign and local trade based on their politics.
DeleteIf you were a member of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria, what would be your attitudes towards democracy?
ReplyDeleteI would be excited, 30 out of the 50 years they have been free they have been run by corrupt military regimes. The regimes tried to completely erase any remnants of past attempts to create a democratic society. The regimes destroyed all efforts of building a nation. This caused poverty and confusion. As a member of any of the ethnic groups in Nigeria, I would be excited for the new change and new attempt on building a livable society.
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijdmr/article/viewFile/56227/44672
If I was in a particular ethnic group in Nigeria, my attitude toward democracy would be positive as well. Democracy would like you said attempt to bringing a better livable society. It will take a lot to make that happen though. Everyone would need to be on the same schedule and same idea and have the same attitude toward it all. The whole population will choose to come together and figure out what needs to be done and what can work.
DeleteIf I was a member of an ethnic group in Nigeria I would be excited and hopeful in regards to a democratic switch. The country has been ruled by militaristic leaders for some time so this change will allow the people of Nigeria to have a say in the politics of their country. Although the leaders of this democratic shift are elites, they are pushing towards a more inclusive government and political agenda. This shift could be seen as the most open and inviting election since the country’s independence, so I would be excited to see where it goes.
ReplyDelete(https://www.usaid.gov/nigeria/democracy-human-rights-and-governance)
3) Yes the political parties would be the best option for divided societies. The people in Nigeria can still express themselves through political parties, giving their on opinions and input for how society should be ran. The people of that country have their thoughts and may speak about it. If it was to be set up like United States and have a 2 party Democrat and Republic, then voting should be allowed so that they can choose their best candidates. If Nigeria has good leaders and knows what they are doing, parties should be set up and voting for the best should be done. The people will let the country know what they like and want. The country needs to go with two political parties and shortened the selection. I just feel like two many parties and a lot of people running for all is too much. To many things are going on. Keep it simple with 2 parties and vote in and vote out who should run. Eventually the people will get to some top selections and the one with the most votes will win leaving with 1 party. So yes political parties are the best option for Nigeria. The many parties in Nigeria do not have what it takes to do what they are suppose to do. Many in Nigeria do not do what they need to do to be considered a political party. Like for instance they don't have offices state wide as well as political education. People in Nigeria do not know what some of the parties there stand for. With have 68 parties, that is just way to many. They need to set a regulation and cut it down to just 2.
ReplyDeletehttps://punchng.com/is-the-glut-of-political-parties-healthy-for-nigerias-political-system/
I think it would be a good idea to give each society a voice in the Nigerian government. Like we discussed in our presentation the people of Nigeria are very diverse and their cultures are very different. The two party system may not fox this situation due to the fact that the people are very different and may not all see the same ideas in only two groups.
DeleteIf you were a member of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria, what would be your attitudes towards democracy? My attitude for a democracy would be completely positive and persuasive. I would greatly appreciate a form of government in which the people that represent the country have a say in what officials are elected and what rules/regulations are put in place. Since 1999 Nigeria has been a democracy allowing for the people to choose their leaders. Before that the people were being ruled by a military dictatorship where they had no say in what went on. Comparing the two forms of government I'd much rather be involved in a democracy so I would try my hardest for other people to agree.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/nigeria/government.htm
I would agree that democracy in Nigeria would be something that I would be excited and positive about if I were a member of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria. After having a number of militant rulers and violence, having a system that allows the opinions of the people to be heard would be something I would look forward to.
Delete• Question - If you were a member of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria, what would be your attitudes towards democracy?
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Answer – According to political columnist Moses Ochonu, democracy has sent Nigeria back decades and only serves the political elite and those in power. For those among the Hausa-Fulani tribe (where most of the political power resides), this means that normally democratic ideals of equality are warped to serve this ethnic group. Mr. Ochonu cites many examples of where massive corruption steals from the people and lines the pockets of the political elite. In addition, as members of the Igbo tribe used to maintain both government and military posts, members of the remaining Yoruba tribe might find democracy a “failed experiment” as now the democratic system is heavily weighted towards the Hausa-Fulani. In addition to these concerns, the fact that the Hausa-Fulani tribe is the most numerous (29% of the population), that means the democratic majority means that the Hausa-Fulani will remain in power. In the end, the majority rules so the wishes of the least populous Igbo tribe will not be weighted as the more numerous Yoruba and Igbo tribes.
Sources:
https://www.pambazuka.org/governance/failures-nigerian-democracy
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31101351
You said that according to Moses Ochonu, he claims that Nigeria has gone back decades based on democracy. In what ways did he say they went back? Im curious as to how they deteriorated as a people through democracy because I read multiple sources that the people of Nigeria are living better lives and are more happy in their current government. When they first transitioned into a democracy in 1999 I could imagine some leaders who were emotional about the switch who took advantage of their power to take from the people and give to the upper political elite, as you said. I think you have good answer and I like the point of view you took when answering this question!
DeleteIf you were a member of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria, what would by your attitudes towards democracy?
ReplyDeleteMembers of a particular ethnic group in Nigeria would have the attitude toward democracy that would be negative. Within Nigeria the country is basically broken down by ethnic groups. You really have three major ethnic groups, but it is estimated that there are about 350+ different ethnic groups. The majority of the groups do not get along and there has been much civil unrest within Nigeria because of the differences between the groups.
Ethnic groups may show undue interest in who gets what, how and when. Ethnic rivalries and jostling for power and resources. They would put into place laws and constitutions that would boost their group’s beliefs and possibly putting an end to any other beliefs other than theirs. They may also decide to pass laws that throw people off land that they wanted.
These societies, therefore, may witness social protest which often takes the form of ethnic conflicts. While the spirit of competition may be seen as heathy for democracy, anchoring this competition on ethnicity or ethnic factors may be counterproductive to the move towards democracy. It may be correct to argue that one of the greatest appeals of democracy is the prospect it offers for guaranteeing individual and group rights. This can only occur, however, where democracy is not burdened with negative inl1uences such as conl1ict. Neither can it be achieved where largely primordial ethnic sentiments arc placed above the ideals of democracy. Such situations debilitate any attempts at creating a democracy and furthering the development of society. in the case of minor ethnic groups, ethnicity may be deliberately brought into play, in order to ensure fair treatment in the ensuing distribution of resources and allocation of power.
One of the positive things that democracy would allow is for the voices of different groups to be heard within certain forums. But I think that I would feel very worried that an ethnic group would come into power that does not get along with my ethnic group. Because there are several groups that are larger, they would be able to rally more votes behind them, thus leaving smaller minority groups to be left out of decision making. http://pdfproc.lib.msu.edu/?file=/DMC/African%20Journals/pdfs/social%20development/vol15no1/jsda015001007.pdf