Plural Society and the Challenge of Democratic Practice in Nigeria

Abstract

Against the backdrop that democracy is a near impossibility in a plural or multi-racial nation, this work sets to examine the place of democratic consolidation in a plural society like Nigeria. It reveals that though more desirable than other types of government, democracy is exclusivist in nature and promotes diversity; thus, it can either encourage or discourage ethnic violence and mistrust depending on how certain factors are handled. This work concludes that despite the problems facing Nigeria’s attempt at democracy, the system, if properly modified and harnessed, has high hopes of ensuring a more peaceful environment. Hence, the study recommends that Nigeria needs to fast-trade concrete solutions to the country’s crises through political restructuring and democratic consolidation.

Keywords: Plural Society, Democracy, Minority Consideration, Majority Power, Nigeria’s Democracy, Democratic Consolidation.