Nigeria comparative politics

Assess globalization through the impact of post-colonialism, dependency theory, oil, and structural adjustment on Nigeria.

rentier state non-diversified economy, rely on oil corruption within oil, much is stolen. profits do not go back to the people

Sharia Law

the code of law derived from the Koran and from the teachings and example of Mohammed

Acephalous society

A society without a governing head, generally with no hierarchical leadership.

Coup d'etat

A sudden overthrow of the government by a small group

Muhammadu Buhari

Current president of Nigeria

Describe the key non-state political institutions and processes, including democratic elections, the two main political parties, prebendalist interest groups, independent media,

ELECTIONS presidential elections - if presidential candidate does not receive outright majority, a second ballot elections takes place - president must receive at least 25% in 2/3 of the states - a purely regional candidate cannot win elections and electoral procedures - citizens vote for candidates on 3 levels; local, state, and national - on the national level citizens vote for the president, representatives to the national assembly, and senators for the senate legislative election - regional representation dominates in both houses -wide-array of ethnic coalitions in legislature -legislative authority is weak in Nigeria POLITICAL PARTY peoples democratic party (PDP) - well-established -party of the first four democratically elected presidents- switched between Muslim and Christian presidency all progressives Congress (APC) - tends to receive more support from the Muslim north - won in 2015, marking the first transition between political parties. Mass Media - Nigeria has well-developed, independent parties - press reflects ethnic divisions in the country -radio is the main source of information for the most rigorous- each state has its own Interest Groups -civil society organizations often cooperate with political parties - religious interest groups are important in Nigeria -Labor Unions- limited through cooptation, active membership - Business Interests- worked with military regimes -human rights groups- promote democratic reform- students, teachers, doctors, lawyers

Structural Adjustment Program

Economic policies imposed on less developed countries by international agencies to create conditions encouraging international trade, such as raising taxes, reducing government spending, controlling inflation, selling publicly owned utilities to private corporations, and charging citizens more for services.

Identify and describe the important historical developments and political culture in Nigeria, including British colonial influences, the First through Third Republics and military coups, and democratization under the Fourth Republic.

Fourth republic established 1999 - Obasanjo was elected (PDP), 1999. - Obasanjo won re-election in 2003 -Umaru Yar'adua (PDP) won election in 2007 -Yar'adua died in 2009, Goodluck Jonathan finished his term. - Jonathan (PDP) was re-elected in 2011 - in 2015, Muhamuddu Buhari (APC) was elected

Fourth Republic

Nigeria's current presidential democratic regime, established in 1999

Igbo (Ibo)

Nigeria's third largest group who are mostly Christian. They are located in the southeast part of Nigeria. This group has many conflicts with the Yoruba and at one point they tried to become a independent nation.

Prebendalism

Patterns of political behavior that rest on the justification that official state offices should be utilized for the personal benefit of officeholders as well as of their support group or clients.

PDP

People's Democratic Party; President Obasanjo's party in Nigeria.

Hausa

Peoples of northern Nigeria; formed states following the demise of Songhay Empire that combined Muslim and pagan traditions

Fulani

Predominantly Muslim ethnic group located in northern Nigeria

Goodluck Jonathan

President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015

Nigeria Senate election and terms

SMD plurality, 3 from each state, 4 year terms

Nigeria house of reps election and terms

SMD plurality, 4 year terms

subsistence agriculture

Self-sufficient agriculture that is small scale and low technology and emphasizes food production for local consumption, not for trade.

Rentier State

a state which derives all or a substantial portion of its national revenues from the rent of indigenous resources to external clients

All Progressives Congress (APC)

formed in 2013 by the merger of Nigeria's three largest opposition parties; currently hold the presidency and have 60 seats in the Senate and 225 seats in the House; "big tent" party; different conservative and liberal factions; more left-leaning in some social and economic policies; favor strong social conservatism

Describe the key state political institutions and processes, including the roles and powers of the legislature, executive, judiciary, and bureaucracy.

LEGISLATURE senate - 109 senators -3 from each of the 36 states -1 from Abuja district -directly elected by popular vote -senators are ethnically and religiously diverse -rubber stamp for executive, becoming less complaint house of representatives - 360 member representatives -single-member district, elected by plurality vote -rubber stamp Executive -roles 1. propose a program of policies 2. appoint cabinet officials 3. commander-in-chief 4.signs bills 5.meets with foreign officials Judiciary -Nigeria is attempting to professionalize the judiciary -the judicial review exists in theory -Shari'a courts exist along with courts developed on the British model -civil liberties violations - in 1995, activist Ken Saro- Wiwa - members of Boko Haram torture Bureaucracy -british installed elaborate civil service system during colonial rule -federal charter system- the president must appoint ministers from each of the states and the bureaucracy is filled using a quota system- prebendalism - bureaucracy is bloated, corrupt, and innefficient, Bribery is common.

Olusegun Obasanjo

Military ruler from 1976-1979 and two term elected president, from 1999-2007

Yoruba

The leading ethnic group in southwestern Nigeria.

Dependency Theory

a model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of the historical exploitation of poor nations by rich ones