States Without Citizens

An Emerging African Phenomenon

Bibliographic Data

ID23719645
AuthorsJohn A A Ayoade, J A Ayoade (corresponding author)
Year2019
Pages100-118
Publication date2019-06-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeCHAPTER
VenuePrecarious Balance (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.4324/9780429314063-4
OpenAlexW2960202848
ISBN9780429314063
LanguageEN
Citations received8

This chapter examines the causes and course of state pathology, which is becoming a characteristic of the African state system. The philosophical alienation from the colonial state engendered by the independence movements not only resulted in political disengagement, but gave rise to and sustained suspicion of the state. The disillusionment was stated even more forcefully by General Obasanjo, who said: Although in a different context, Nigeria was ruled and governed from amalgamation to independence by colonial military administrators. The disillusionment underlying the statement and general disenchantment in postcolonial Africa have reverberated recently in Nigeria. The immediate postcolonial political leadership in Africa apparently adopted socialism as a strategy of decolonization. It was seen as a feasible strategy because colonialism was perceived as a capitalist enterprise by the metropolitan nations. In order to revitalize the African states, the image of the state will have to be repaired so that it is endeared to the society.

Development economics · Economics · Epistemology · Phenomenon · Political science · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · International Development and Aid · Philosophy

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