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Ethno-religious Sentiment And Voting Behavior In Nigeria
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1.9. Proposed Theoretical Framework
Rational Choice Theory
Rational
choice theory was propounded by Gary Becker in 1992. The rational
choice theory of ethnic voting behaviour postulates that a voter tends
to vote for a party candidate who is a member of the same ethnic group
because of the higher possibility that the candidate will keep his/her
political promises to members of their own ethnic community, and because
of the lower costs of communicating with a candidate of one’s own
community, more effective representation of the community’s interests in
the parliament will likely result (Janet et. al, 1993, p.436). By
extension, the same theory can be used to postulate that a voter will
likely vote for a candidate with whom he/she share common religious
beliefs.
Rational choice theory best explains age long voting
behavioural patterns in Nigeria. Just like during the independence era,
ethno-religious affiliations continue to reflect in voting behaviour of
Nigerians
1.10. Definition of Terms
a. Ethno-Religion
Ethno-Religion
is a combination of the word Ethnic and Religion. The word is primarily
used to describe members of an ethnic group which are also
practitioners of a religion. It is also used to refer to a situation
where majority of individuals in an ethnic group practice a particular
religion (Conroy,2013).
b. Sentiment
Sentiment is a thought,
opinion or idea based on a feeling about a situation or a way of
thinking about something which is based on sympathy, pity, ethnic or
religious inclinations rather than based on facts or reason (Ali, 2003).
Voting Behaviour
Voting
behaviour is defined as a set of personal electoral activities,
including participation in electoral campaigns, turnout at the polls,
and choosing for whom to vote (Bratton, 2013).
1.11. Chapterisation
The
project shall be structured into five chapters. Chapter One shall
deal the background of the study which is characterized by;
Introduction, Statement of the Research problem, Research questions, and
Objectives of the study, Research propositions, Significance of the
study, Scope and limitations of Research Methodology and Definition of
key concepts. Chapter Two shall dwell on the review of Literature as
well as Theoretical framework. Chapter Three shall contain the Evolution
of Ethno-Religion sentiment in Nigerian body polity. Chapter Four,
shall consist of data presentation, analysis and interpretation.
Chapter Five, shall give the summary, conclusion and recommendations of
the study.
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