Advanced Placement Comparative Government Nigeria in Review Advanced Placement Comparative Government

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power Constitutionalism 8 constitutions since 1914. Most recent: 1999 None have lasted- Difficult for Nigeria to accept a constitution as a guiding set of principles.

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power Legitimacy Pre-colonial Era (800-1860) Kingdoms: Trade connections, Islam, kinship-based politics, complex political identities, democratic impulses Colonial Era 91860-1960) Authoritarian rule (British and Portuguese), interventionist state, individualism, Christianity, intensification of ethnic politics Since Independence (1660 to present) Parliamentary-style government replaced a presidential system, intensification of ethnic conflict, military rule, personalized rule/corruption, federalism, and economic dependence on oil.

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power Political Culture Patron-clientelism (prebendalism) State control/rich civil society (ethnic/religious) Tension between modernity and tradition Religious conflict (sharia) Geographic influences: Northwest-Huasa-Fulani-Muslim Northeast-Kanuri-Muslim Middle belt-mix of Christians and Muslims Southwest-Yourba-Christian and Muslim Southeast-Igbo-Catholic/Christian Southern Zone-small minority groups

Political and Economic Change Pre-colonial- Change occurred through cultural diffusion. North traded with Muslims, south with sea traders on the Atlantic. Colonial- Indirect rule. Democracy vs. subjugation. Influence from the west. Modern- Military rule to democracy

Citizens, Society, and the State Challenges Poverty Gini Index: .48 High Health issues: HIV/AIDS Literacy: 75% male 60% female Cleavages: Extremely fragmented Ethnicity Religion Region/north vs. south Urban/rural differences Social class

Citizens, Society, and the State Public Opinion and political Participation Patron-cleintelism: (prebendalism) Extremely personalized system of rule. Corruption. Civil Society: 1999, many groups have sought to influence political decisions. Trade unions are very active. Voting Behavior: Tradition since 1959, elections seen as corrupt. Protests/Social movements: Ethnic based and religious movements have increased since 1999.

Political Institutions Regime type: Federalist and Democratic Linkage institutions Political Parties: Regionally and Ethnically based. PDP: Christian Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’Adua (Muslim)- widespread corruption. Moderates. ANPP: Muslim General Muhammed Buhari. Conservatives. AC: Muslim Atiku Abubakar. Liberal.

Political Institutions National Elections: Presidential Elections: Must receive the majority or a 2nd ballot election may take place. Must also receive 25% of all votes cast in 2/3 of the states. Legislative Seats: 109 Senators, 3 from each of the 36 states and one from the capitol, Abuja are directly elected. 539 representatives are elected from single-member districts by plurality vote. Election Fraud: Rampant in Nigeria. 2007 election resulted in 200 deaths.

Political Institutions Interest Groups: Play an important role, hampered by pre-bendalism. Labor unions established through corporatism. (Nigeria Labor Congress) Business interests share the spoils of corruption. Mass Media: Well developed, independent press. (South more vocal) Radio is the main source of communication.

Political Institutions Federal Political system/Presidential system The Executive: Civilian rule since 1999- The bureaucracy: British legacy. Many government agencies are para-statals. Para-statals create state corportatism because para-statals provide input to the government on policy issues and serve as contact points between government and business.

Political Institutions The Legislature The National Assembly- Senate: 109 members, equal representation The House of Representatives: 360 members, many ethnicities and only 23 were women. The Judiciary Combined British common law with traditional law. Today: Judicial Review Much like the US court system Sharia courts. The Military Strong force behind policymaking Lost legitimacy as a governing body/internal discord

Public Policy Military rule resulted in top-down policy-making process. Power concentrated in the presidency Input from patron-cleintelism Economic Issues Oil: How to use the revenue equitably Rents/rentseeking behavior Structural Adjustment (1980s)

Public Policy The question of Federalism: Does Nigeria have enough in common to remain together as a country? Democratization Some checks and balances between government branches Some independent decisions in the courts Revival of Civil Society Independent Media A peaceful succession to power Improving Freedom House Scores ( 2007: 4)