-
The Impact Of Violent Conflict In The Process Of Democratization
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
Page 2 of 4
-
-
-
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
Democracy is the most popular
and acceptable form of government in the world, because it gives the
citizens the opportunity and freedom to know and contribute in the
governance of their own affairs. However, Nigerian democracy is a
mockery of the ideal democracy because of post election violence which
claims a lot of lives and property of people. In Jema’a Local Government
there have been several crises which are usually violent in nature in
the local government. The recent one was the 2011 post election crisis
in the local government which was between the Muslims and the Christians
in the local government. This crisis led to the lost of properties
worth of billions of Nairas as well as the lives of innocent citizens in
the local government. This has caused a perpetual hatred between the
Christian and Muslims in the local government. Up till today there are
reported cases of attacks in the local government as a result of
politics. All these post election crisis and attacks are against the
tenets of democracy and has also marred the democratization process of
the local government and the nation at large. Democracy does not
encourage all these crises and other electoral malpractices because it
is against its tenets and can easily mar the image of the local
government and the country at large.
1.3 Definition of terms
Violent
conflict: the term conflict has no single definition because scholars
have converging views on the concept. Smith k. (2000) opines that,
conflict is the struggle or contest between people with opposing needs,
ideas, beliefs, values, or goals. From the above definition, one could
infer that violent conflict is a struggle to meet conflicting needs of
individuals in the society.
Democracy: As earlier stated, no concept
has an acceptable definition in social science. Therefore, for purpose
of this research study, democracy can seen as a political system that is
based on the consent of the ruled. That is, the citizens needs and
aspiration guides the activities of the rulers who are periodically
elected to represent the masses. However, it is imperative to note that
democracy is classified into direct or indirect that is, through elected
representatives.
Democratization: This is the strict adherence to
the provisions of democracy in a given political entity. These tenets
include; free and fair elections which are periodically conducted,
freedom of speech, presence of a constitution, fundamental human rights
among others.
1.4 Proposition
Religious activities and political leaders caused violent conflict in Jema’a Local Government Area.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
Page 2 of 4
-
