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The Impact Of Violent Conflict In The Process Of Democratization
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
In social science no concept has a single definition, because there are converging views of concepts that is, different scholars view concepts base on their personal idiocencracy. Therefore, it is imperative to conceptualize the basic terms which will give us a better understanding of this research study. Democracy and democratization are two different words in meaning. Democracy can be described as a system of government under which people exercise the governing power either direct or through elected representatives periodically elected by themselves Appadorai A (1972). This means that a state may in political science be termed as a democracy if it provides institutions for the expression and, in the last analysis, the supremacy of the popular will on the questions of social direction and policy. Other factors, such as economy, equality, fraternal feeling and the small size of the state, are durable and make for its successful working, the optimum of democracy, political liberty is the indispensable minimum. Democracy is by far the most popular form of government in the world today. There is hardly any leader who does not wish to be seen as a democrat or a regime that does not seek to be described as democratic. From the above definition, one could infer that democracy is a political system that seeks and ensure the involvement of all and sundry in decision making and management of the country’s affairs.
Many of the elements of modern democracy are usually taken to have originated in ancient Greece, particular the city of Athens. Indeed the word ‘democracy’ derives from two Greek words, ‘demos’ which means the people and ‘Kratein’ which means ‘rule of or by’ the term democracy, therefore, literally means ‘rule by the people’. In addition to its Greek antecedent, modern democracy is also taken to have evolved from such medieval institutions as the British parliament and the jury and from the political theories of seventeenth century such as equality of men, natural rights and sovereignty.
After knowing what democracy entails, it’s important to also conceptualize what democratization means which is the focal point of this research study. Democratization is the process whereby a country adopt the tenets of democracy to the fullest. It could also be seen as the strict adherence to the dictates of democracy. There is less agreement among political scientist about how that process occurs, inducting the criteria to use in determining if democratization has in fact taken place. Many countries have adopted democratic political system only to see them collapse in a military coup or other revolt that yields authoritarian government instead. Typically, a country does not think that democracy has truly taken root until at least three national elections have been held. Another criterion raised by many experts is the peaceful transfer of power to opposition parties. Such transition is critical because it indicates the major political force in a country are prepared to settle their dispute without violence and to accept that they will all spend period of time out of office. Therefore, democratization in essence is the strict adherence to the provision of democratic government.
Large violent conflicts occur with great frequency in poor and slowly growing countries while there is some disagreement about the causes of conflict most studies point to high risks of ignorance associated with poverty, weak state structures, poor governance, natural resource dependence and horizontal inequality (inequality between politically relevant groups such as religious groups or ethnic groups). It is important to note that conflict also leads to enormous hardship. The post election crisis of 2011 also brought serious hardship to the people of Jema’a Local Government area because the market was burnt down, there was also inflation in the prices of goods and food items in the area.
Jacob S. (1984) opines that violent conflict involve at least two or more parties using physical force to resolve competing claims or interest. Violent conflict may occur among individuals or groups not affiliated with government, but the term is most commonly applied as a synonym for war. At whatever level it occurs, a violent conflict usually involve more than confrontation.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
Page 1 of 4
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