Economic Integration, Democracy and Regional Security in the Post-Military ECOWAS: Reflecting on Nigeria’s Experience in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

The post-military West Africa has rubbished Western development theories that assume that economic integration and democracy are prerequisites for the transformation of African nation-states. This study interrogates the nexus between democracy, economic integration and regional security in West Africa within the framework of ECOWAS. It finds that the degenerating regional security has direct correlation with weak regional economic integration and the return of democracy. The study, therefore, concludes that the deficits in democratic governance and economic integration significantly contribute to the causation and escalation of insecurity in ECOWAS member-states and the sub-region. Finally, it recommends a radical revision of the social basis of economic integration and democracy in a manner that strengthens institutions and structures of ECOWAS to attain the goal of regional security. Nigeria must demonstrate exceptional capabilities to provide the leadership necessary for the attainment of this objective in the twenty-first century. Keywords: Democracy; Economic Integration; Regional Security; ECOWAS; Post-Military; Nigeria; West Africa.