Dividends Of Democracy Research Articles

Democracy, elections and citizen participation: the South African experience

The discourse on the reversal of democratic dividends, which has gained momentum in the past decade and a half, focuses on the erstwhile discussion on electoral governance and the relationship between elections and democracy. In this article, I emphasise the pivotal role of citizens and the value addition of elections in a democracy. Elections, as a cornerstone of democracy, provide a platform for citizens to express their will and shape the future of their nation. The article asserts a symbiotic relationship between democracy, elections, and citizen participation. A preliminary conclusion is that democracy is about improving citizens’ circumstances, and regular elections provide the citizens with an opportunity to elect leaders who will ensure that they realise the democratic dividends. Therefore, there is a need for strengthened human rights-centred and inclusive electoral processes with meaningful opportunities and arrangements for citizens’ participation beyond voting.

Minding the local slot: municipalities as drivers of trust in public institutions

ABSTRACT Political theory advocates the centrality of trust for democratic legitimacy and stability. It holds that democracy works best if citizens trust governance institutions. From this standpoint, we argue that the local political arena is conducive to nurturing trust, for onward projection onto national institutions. Using a mixed-method approach to a Ghana case study that combines in-depth interviews with regression and a propensity score matching technique, we demonstrate the centrality of proximity as a trust-building mechanism. We show that proximity to elected officials and local institutions facilitates inclusion and participation – and brings the otherwise distant state closer to the local population. Positive experiences with municipal structures – the most proximate of all state institutions – help build positive evaluations of the national government. Processes that deepen participatory platforms and inclusive decision-making in local arenas will furnish governments with a legitimacy and democracy dividend.

Democratic Governance and the Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria Under Buhari Administration

The output of democratic process depends on the nature, character and pattern of administrative leadership of the democratic leader piloting the affairs of the state. Since independence, Nigeria has witnessed different administrations or regimes with concomitant implications on democratic governance. Despite abundant human and natural resources in the country, the realization of the dividends of democracy are not being enjoyed by the citizens because of political leaders controlling state affairs. This study examines the challenges of Buhari's administration and its implication on democratic governance in Nigeria between 2015-2023. The study adopted descriptive and documentary research methods and relied majorly on secondary data and elite theory was adopted as the theoretical orientation of the study. The study revealed that the major challenges of leadership in Nigeria under the Buhari's administration are corruption, non-adherence to the rule of law and banditry related issues which serves as impediments to democratic governance in Nigeria. The study, however, recommends that the government should set up independent corrupt agencies with personalities who have integrity to run it, so that the issues of corruption will be ameliorated. Government should also allow the judiciary to independently carry out their judicial function without any political interference and further allow the law to take its course at every set time without violating the principle of rule of law as propounded by Albert Venn Dicey. Government should strategize effectively using the security apparatus of the state to create an enabling environment that is secure for all to stay and not having fear that the security of the populace is not guaranteed because of inability to stop the ongoing and lingering banditry issue of grave security concern to Nigeria and to the international community at large. The study concluded that there is need to have a strong agency comprising of individual that has integrity, the professionalism of conduct of lawyers and purging of the legal system who has compromise to subvert the justice system and strong strategic provision of effective security apparatus will help to mitigate this issues that has devoid the people to believe that they are not enjoying the benefit of democratic system.

THE RESURGENCE OF MILITARY COUP D’ETATS IN AFRICA: A STEP FORWARD OR BACKWARD IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE?

This article discusses the resurgence of military coup d’états, in Africa, whether it is backward or forward movement in democratic governance on the continent. Recently there has been an upsurge in UCG in Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea and the latest now is Gabon. This trend is against Article 4(m) (p) of the Constitutive Act of African Union that condemns UCG; and the African Charter on Democracy, Election and Good Governance (ACDEGG), 2007. It is not also a surprise that some citizens of these countries where the unconstitutional change of government has taken place were found jubilating due to maladministration of the constitutionally elected leaders. This article aims at bringing the attention of global leaders to the regressive trend in the democratic progress of certain African nations. Doctrinal methodology is used and the data method is content analyses. The findings of the study show that some citizens of these countries are not enjoying dividends of democracy and that the military itself has not imbibed the dictates of civilian administration or rule on the continent. This paper concludes that the mere suspension of a particular country whose civilian administration has been overthrown is not enough deterrent to other countries in Africa, and stricter penalties is needed to be implemented against such country. It is one of the recommendations of this article that paper condemnation of illegal take over government and the suspension of such a country from AU is not enough deterrent to putsch in the continent.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration and the Change Mantra in Nigeria

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and its largest economy is credited with an abundance of natural and human resource endowments placing it potentially, among resource-rich nations and raising hopes of its development potentials. Contrary to this potentiality, the country remains underdeveloped with a large portion of the population living below all indices of human development. Democracy offers hope for pragmatic changes to leadership and government policies in society’s quest for change and stability. It was on this basis that numerous disenchanted Nigerians embraced the prospect of ‘change’ put forward as campaign slogan by Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress against the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party in the run-ups to the 2015 elections. Consequently, Mr. Buhari was sworn in as President on the back of his change mantra, on the 29th of May 2015 with his party remarkably defeating an incumbent president. The party was re–elected for another four years in 2019 arguably aided by factors of incumbency and some remnant of civil optimism. After the expiration of his eight year tenure, there are questions on the performance of the Buhari administration that need exploration, viz-a-viz performance to voters’ expectations; the party’s delivery relative to party manifesto; and public disposition to, and perception of standard of living under the administration. Eight years after this government, were they able to introduce the much needed change? How far did they go in fulfilling some of their laudable promises as contained in their manifesto? Did they live up to the expectations of the citizens? This paper seeks to answer these questions through evaluation of the major promises made to the citizens by the ‘Change Mantra’ government. The social contract theory was employed. The paper relies on secondary means of data collection and is analyzed using descriptive analysis and narrative report. The study concludes that the Government did not live up to the citizen’s expectations and most of their promises were never accomplished. The study recommends that corrupt politicians should be jailed to serve as a deterrent to others. Our political culture should be changed; citizens should begin to demand for dividends of democracy from their elected representatives

Post-Third Wave Democratisation: A Study of Nigerian and Ghanaian Democratic Experience in the West African Sub-region

<p>This article explores the democratic experience in the West African Sub-region and it focuses on Ghana and Nigeria after the post-third wave democratisation. In a real sense, the post-third wave democratisation was a transition to democracy after 1991. The character brought down authoritarian regimes such as one-party systems, military regimes, and personalisation of power. The consequences led to the establishment of democratic governments in different political situations. The article argues that democratic experience dictates the non-feasibility of elections during the transition process as there are massive irregularities that marred the conduct of elections in different forms. This article contests the founding (first) elections that were conducted under the supervision of the military leaders. The outcome of the transition elections had raised an issue on the quality of future democracy. This include the socio-economic development that interfaces with dividends of democracy. Therefore, the post-third wave democratisation defines the new African politics. This implies that the two military leaders Jerry Rawlings (Ghana) and Abdulsalam Abubakar (Nigeria) intentionally handed over power to the military. This means that the countries that organised democracy based unethical practice could witness military intervention or otherwise civil war that may obstruct the new democracies.</p>

Democracy, Peace, and Religion in Nigeria: Can Religion Be Used to Consolidate or Undermine Democracy and Peace?

This study looks at the relationships between religion, democracy, and peace. It is based on this premise that this article examines how religion is used to consolidate democracy and promote peace in societies, using Nigeria as its framework of analysis. Using the qualitative method of analysis where emphasis is placed on primary and secondary documents, which involve articles, reports, and newspaper articles triangulating with key informant interviews (KIIs) and stakeholder analysis, the findings of this article suggest that religion plays a significant role in the consolidation of democracy and peace given its important place in advocating some principles and ideals of democracy, which involve equity, fairness, freedom, pluralism, respect for diversities, and defending minority rights, amongst others. However, challenges associated with the weaponization of religion to pursue selfish political agenda and interests by both religious and political elites in Nigeria has become more of a norm than what is expected between both variables. This has helped in the creation of a hostile and unstable political environment, and in the pervasion of democratic and political institutions and agencies responsible for promoting accountable leadership, good governance, representative governance, political interference, and repressive policies, limiting the rights and freedoms of citizens who continue to impede the enhancement of a strongly consolidated democratic culture and peace in transition democracies such as Nigeria. This article suggests the need for relevant actors to ensure that institutions of the state are strengthened to provide the dividends of democracy. This can be achieved by addressing the challenge of the negative use of religion by the elites to advance unholy political interests and agenda. It is also important to create machinery to address the structural problems that breed poverty; political, economic, and social exclusion; and human rights abuses, limiting political and electoral freedoms. Addressing these challenges also requires relevant stakeholders and actors to understand that the process is multi-pronged, which also requires acknowledging, accommodating, and accepting individual and group diversities and, above all, requires the patience and the political will of these actors to ensure its actualization. Addressing these concerns will significantly strengthen and enhance the consolidation of democracy and peace in fragile and transition societies.

Godfatherism and Electoral Security in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: A Human Security Approach

<p>This study delves into the intricate relationship between godfatherism and electoral politics in Nigeria's Fourth Republic, with a specific focus on the 2018 gubernatorial election in Osun State. Godfatherism has emerged as a prevalent phenomenon in Nigerian politics, where influential figures play significant roles in shaping political outcomes. Using a human security analytical approach, this study critically examines the link between godfatherism and electoral politics in Nigeria's fourth republic and its implication for human security, focusing on the micro-political analysis of the Osun state gubernatorial election in 2018. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study draws on descriptive research methodology and the Elite theoretical framework to uncover the complexities of godfatherism and its implications for electoral politics. The findings indicate that godfatherism, despite its potential benefits for the democratic balance of power, has taken an unsettling turn in Nigeria's electoral environment, thus posing grave dangers to human security. It has evolved into a disruptive force, undermining the foundations of popular democratic governance and denying citizens the full dividends of democracy. The study highlights how godfatherism influences candidate selection, party loyalty, and electoral outcomes. Moreover, the study reveals that godfatherism perpetuates a system of political patronage, compromising the independence and accountability of elected officials. It also examines the consequences of godfatherism on the unity of political parties, electoral malpractices, and the quality of democratic representation in Osun State. In conclusion, this study underscores the need to reevaluate the role of godfatherism in Nigeria's electoral politics while advocating for reforms in the political system to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.</p>

Democratic Ethos The Bane of Communal Conflicts in Nigeria

Previous studies have established traditional causes of communal conflicts. Conversely, this study established a link between democratic processes and communal conflicts in Nigeria. Through a three-component model focusing on various democratic processes, several democratic flaws were identified as root causes of communal conflicts. Specifically, we found a misalignment of democratic equity principles among warring communities, which surfaced because of differences in community hierarchies, structures, and personalities. A biased distribution of democratic dividends, unequal access to competent electoral staff, and extreme bias towards opposing communities in electoral/political institutions were observed. Moreover, some aggressive- frustrated residents were easily provoked because of a lack of confidence in democratic institutions and processes. It is therefore essential to focus on fairness in democratic processes to reduce tension in areas of communal conflict.

Plato’s Idea on Philosopher King and the Nigerian State: A Critical Reflection.

This paper examined the philosophical worldview of Plato’s idea on philosopher king in his classical work “The Republic” in the light of the contemporary leadership crisis in Nigeria. It is specifically aimed at tracing the emergence of leadership crisis in Nigeria right from independence, identifying the qualities of leadership in Plato’s ideal state, analyzing Plato’s ideas on philosopher king in relation to leadership in Nigeria, and examining how leadership crisis in Nigeria could be addressed using Platonic template. The paper adopted a qualitative analysis which was solely based on secondary sources of data gathering as a result, relevant literatures were critically reviewed. It was revealed that the major challenge of the Nigerian state is that of leadership. It was also noted that Nigerian leaders lack the sterling qualities of Philosopher kings as espoused by Plato in his hypothetical Republic. Furthermore, the paper submitted that leadership crisis in Nigeria would undermine the realization of Plato’s ideal state. The study concluded that there is urgent need to eschew Nigerian state off the bad leadership rearing its ugly head so as to enjoy the dividends of democracy and socio-economic development.

The lexicon of consensus candidate and the Nigerian democracy: How healthy is it?

This paper discusses the issue of misused and misapplication of the term consensus in the political arena which has over the years caused disaffection, carpet-crossing among party members and the formation of new pre-matured political parties because of harmonizing out members of the same party. This misconstrue language (consensus) has also made political parties field wrong choice candidates which has further resulted to bad governance. The word consensus which ordinarily means common agreement, understanding or mutual cooperation to accepting an issue or something especially in selecting candidate(s), in Nigeria has turned a situation where two or few party chieftains connived (in their own interest) to edge out or manipulate other people in selecting a single person who happens to be their cronies, without the consent of the entire group. The forceful imposition apart from resulting to bad leadership had also cause rancour, intra-party wrangling and disunity, and political malady, which has not been too healthy for our endured democracy. As a review article, this paper, considers the consensus theory, various authors’ views about the concepts of the term was lavishly x-rayed and in the end the paper seeks to suggest that party chieftains should apply the concept properly, by consulting widely before coming out with a choice candidate(s) who will represent the party very well, so that the dividends of democracy will be felt and not be sacrificed on the altar of “puppet-godson” who will be pledging unnecessary pretentious loyalty to his godfather(s) to the detriment of the electorates, if he emerges the general winner at the general poll.

The Nigerian State and Democratic Governance: A Need for Revisitation of Democratic Ethos

The study examined the practice of democracy in Nigeria, bearing in mind the tenets of democracy. Democracy has been accepted as the most viable and sustainable form of government by world leaders and is used to determine the extent of freedom enjoyed in different countries of the world. However, the availability of the freedom it offers in Nigeria is questionable. This is largely due to the lack of democratic principles such as free, fair and credible elections, mass participation in the governance processes, independence of the judiciary, rule of law, etc. While successive governments since 1999 have verbalized efforts at strengthening democratic ethos/culture in the country, observers are of the view that the democratic practice in Nigeria is a far cry from the acceptable norms. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to examine the extent to which democratic ethos have been institutionalized in the Nigerian State. The study adopted the Participatory Theory of democracy, its main idea being the provision of greater involvement and control over all governmental laws and non-governmental rules pertaining to the citizens, and to analyze the imperative to revisit the practice of democracy in Nigeria. The study relied mainly on secondary data focusing on the nature and character of democratic governance in the country. The study revealed that efforts at institutionalizing democracy, enhancing mass participation as well as achieving development had not yielded the desired outcomes in the country. This is evident in the increasing rate of electoral violence that characterizes elections over the years in the country. The paper concluded that, for Nigeria to substantially deliver the “dividends of democracy” to the people, the state must revisit the culture and practice of democracy in the country. The study recommended, among other things, that the state should strive to uphold the rule of law at all times, ensure judicial independence, enhance mass participation in the governance processes and efforts should also be made to guarantee free, fair and credible elections.

Democracy, growth, heterogeneity, and robustness

I motivate and empirically investigate differential long-run growth effects of democratisation across countries. While the existing literature recognises the potential for such heterogeneity, empirical implementations to date unanimously assume a common democracy-growth nexus across countries. Adopting novel methods for causal inference in policy evaluation I relax the homogeneity assumption. My results confirm that in the long-run democracy has a positive and significant average effect on per capita income, albeit at 10% this is at best half the magnitude of recent estimates in the literature. Guided by existing theories, additional analysis probes the patterns of the heterogeneous ‘democratic dividend’ across countries. Adopting two rule-based robustness exercises I furthermore demonstrate that, in contrast to recent contributions to the literature, my approach yields empirical findings that are robust to substantial changes to the sample.

Radical Islam and Insurgency in Northern Nigeria: Tensions and Challenges

Located within a broad appraisal of Nigeria’s nascent democracy, this paper examined the roots and triggers of radical Islam and religious extremism in Northern Nigeria. It also investigated its implication in the region through the lenses of religion and politics. Since 1804, a tradition of jihadist Islam in the north, introduced by Sheikh Uthman dan Fodio, has shaped not only the politics of the region but has festered into modern-day insurgency. This radicalism enthroned an intolerant, anti-Western and violent Islamic ideology used against minorities within and against other religions, ethno-regional groups, and political blocs in Nigeria. What exactly are the triggers of religious violence in today’s Northern Nigeria? Furthermore, if any, what are the implications for this region? Drawing on archival materials and secondary sources, findings reveal deep-seated, anti-southern sentiments in the north, complicated by religious, cultural, and economic suspicions, whipped up at political intersections. Evidence also indicates significant leadership failures. This internal complexity holds back Northern Nigeria’s overall economic and social modernisation pace. This paper recommends state-sponsored awareness campaigns that emphasise diversity, integration and unity. To overcome insurgency, politics must deliver dividends of democracy to all. Governance must become a means to economic ends and not an end in itself.

Electricity Power, Democratic Governance and Economic Growth: Evidence from Nigeria

The study examines the impact of democratic governance and corruption on electricity power supply in Nigeria. To achieve this goal, an integrated regression analysis such as Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), Fully Modified OLS, Canonical Cointegrating Regression and OLS were utilized to estimate data spanning the period of 1986 – 2020. The result revealed a negative and significant impact of democracy and corruption on electricity power generation in Nigeria. On the other hand, economic growth has shown a positive and important impact on electricity generation, suggesting that higher GDP growth will increase the supply of electricity in Nigeria. The implication of this findings are as follows: (i) one of the dividends of democracy which is providing public good to the citizens have not been achieved, as such, policymakers need to give more attention to the provision electricity supply; (ii) the institutions in charge of fighting corruption such as the Economic and Financial Crime Commissions (EFCC) need to be further strengthened in Nigeria.

DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A SURVEY OF KARU LOCAL AREA

The study is examining democracy, good governance and development in Nigeria: a survey of Karu Local Area. Social contract theory was used as theoretical framework. The study adopted survey research method; data was collected from the primary and secondary sources. The study reveals that Democracy has enhanced good governance and development for the people in Keffi Local Government. Karu Local Government council to some extent has provided the people of Karu Local Government Area with social amenities like roads, pipe born water, functional hospital, schools and others essential service for the citizens. The study recommends that Elected and Caretaker Management of Karu Local Government Council should consolidate on the effort made so far by the provision of more physical infrastructures like roads, bridges, potable water, telecommunications and public transport to remote villages that are yet to feel the dividends of democracy.

Repositioning Democratic Governance in Africa for Better Dividends Delivery: A Case for Performance

Given the fact that democracy as a system and form of governance which allows for even participation, freedom of expression, rule of law and other indices attached thereto, had awaken the consciousness of humanity from all over the world to key into this form of leadership due to its uncommon benefits. Africa her ‘third world cousins’ seemed to have remained in a slumbering position and have refused to wake up and wear the toga of democratic principles as acts displayed by leaders lacked democratic character. This paper argues that democratic dividends and flavour can be felt and directly impacted on the citizens of Africa especially Nigeria, if adequate political socialization, culturalization and consciousness are fused as part of her cultural education. This new consciousness and democratic mindset will arguably make leaders and the led see each other as an inclusive indispensable part of the whole. It will also eliminate unwantom suspicion, rancour, ethnic bigotry, exclusion and hegemonic display of power and more so, leadership may not be tenured but anchored on performance and service delivery. The paper believes that with a political consciousness, socialization and high sense of political culture, leadership becomes service to the humanity and not business enterprise. Hence leaders that performed optimally may continue to serve the people if they so desire. This paper adopts critical, analytical and expository methods.

An Assessment of Dividends of Democracy in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State (1999–2020): A Discourse Using Utilitarianism of John Stuart Mill

An Assessment of Dividends of Democracy in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State (1999–2020): A Discourse Using Utilitarianism of John Stuart Mill

African Democracy and Disillusionment: The Nigerian Experience in Ola Rotimi’s ‘Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again’

The goal of this presentation is to underscore the fact that democracy has not developed in Africa especially Nigeria to an appreciable level. This is due to greed and selfishness of the politicians who see the ascension to power as easy way of enriching themselves. It is seen from this context that politics is and and a do or die affair which must be won at all cost no matter the consequences on the citizenry. It is emphasized that in Nigeria, most people are disillusioned because the government has not delivered the dividends of democracy expected to benefit them. Democracy as an administrative concept can not function effectively without the people's participation and contributions. It is observed that the basic infrastructures including water, power, shelter, food, health care, education, road, and other social amenities and economic empowerment be made available to benefit the people. The study notes it is only when the citizenry is given basic necessities of life that they can think properly and participate, effectively to ensure the entrenchment of democracy. Another revelation is that information is very vital to the operations of a functional democracy which is based on transparency, accountability, commitment and diligence of the leaders to discharge their responsibilities to the people. The hope is that democracy will develop to an acceptable level in Nigeria and other parts of Africa when the politicians place the interest of the country first before their personal quest.

ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRATIC DEFICITS IN NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC: A COMMENTARY

Este artigo é um comentário que interroga o fenômeno de déficits democráticos na Quarta República da Nigéria, com base em uma análise exploratória de fontes secundárias. A essência do governo é a realização do bem público. O governo democrático é aclamado como o mais adequado para determinar e implementar tal mandato. Aliás, essa não foi uma experiência geral nas democracias do mundo. As sucessivas administrações democráticas na Quarta República da Nigéria deixaram muito a desejar em relação ao cumprimento de seu mandato democrático por meio de representação adequada e boa governança. Séries de eleições produziram diferentes culturas de supostos representantes das pessoas. No entanto, as condições existenciais do povo não foram tocadas de maneira a justificar que esses representantes governem na instância do povo, e muito menos representem seus interesses e aspirações. Os grandes déficits de democracia a esse respeito justificaram a submissão deste artigo ao efeito de que a democracia eleitoral na Quarta República da Nigéria não produziu os dividendos democráticos necessários em termos de governança eficiente e representação efetiva.