Abstract
This paper examines the issue of ethnic conflicts and their implications for democracy in Nigeria. Ethnic conflict and distrust is identified as the bane of former democratic experiments in Nigeria. Moreover, since the late 1980s, ethnicity in Nigeria has assumed disturbing new dimensions. The most crucial of these are the issues of marginalization and agitations by ethnic minorities. Marginalization breeds suspicion, distrust, heightens ethnic tensions and may eventually lead to conflict over the sharing and allocation of power and national resources. Democratic tradition, which is imperative for development, cannot blossom in the context of ethnic conflict. Thus, marginalization, whether apparent or real, has the potential for disrupting the drive towards democracy. With cries for marginalization so rife among ethnic groups, a need arises to address the issue squarely. This is particularly important given that Nigeria is presently engaged in another attempt at democracy. Ethnic conflicts in whatever form need to be resolved in order to allow for democracy to thrive. This paper examines ways in which ethnic problems in Nigeria may be resolved through the creation of a realistic and workable federalism modelled largely on the American model. Journal of Social Development in Africa Vol 15 No 1 2000, pp. 61-78
Full Text
Topics from this Paper
Democracy In Nigeria
Ethnic Conflict
Ethnicity In Nigeria
Problems In Nigeria
Issues Of Marginalization
+ Show 5 more
Create a personalized feed of these topics
Get StartedTalk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Similar Papers
African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Jan 1, 2011
Russian and East European Studies
Jan 1, 2002
Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal
Oct 2, 2020
Journal of Social Sciences (COES&RJ-JSS)
Apr 1, 2016
Women's Health Issues
Jul 1, 2001
Architecture and the Built Environment
Jan 1, 2015
Architecture and the Built Environment
Jan 1, 2015
Architecture and the Built Environment
Jan 1, 2015
Alternatives: Global, Local, Political
Jan 1, 2003
2021: Politics Month
Jan 1, 2021
Jun 30, 2021
Jun 30, 2021
European Review Of Applied Sociology
Jun 1, 2018
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2018
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2018
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2018
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2018
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2018
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2018
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2017
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2017
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2017
Journal of Social Development in Africa
Jan 1, 2017