Peace and National Development in Nigeria: The Rivers State Experience

Abstract

The paper examined Peace and National Development in Nigeria: The Rivers State Experience. The paper argued that whereas peace is a sine qua non for National Development, the nature and character of Nigerian state has exacerbated conflict which threatens peace and national development in Nigeria and Rivers State in particular. The Marxian Political Economy and the Frustration-Aggression theory (F-A) were used as analytical constructs. One of the major assumptions of the Marxian Political Economy is that society is divided into two classes – those who own the means of production (Bourgeoisie) and those who do not own the means of production (Proletariats). The Bourgeoisie exploit the proletariats by appropriating the surplus value generated from a social production. For Frustration-Aggression theory, frustration leads to aggression. The paper relied on secondary sources of data and the paper noted that there are unresolved, destructive and seemingly perennial conflicts which encumber peace and national development in Nigeria and Rivers State. The paper recommended inter alia, that democratic institutions should not only be strengthened, but also democratic culture should be imbibed and demonstrated by Nigerians, particularly the political elites in Nigeria.

Key words: Peace, National Development; Conflict; Nigerian State.

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-9-08

Publication date:September 30^th 2019