John Rawls’ Theory of Justice: A Retrospection of Nigeria’s Social and Politico-Economy Phenomena

Abstract

Nigeria as a country is characterised by a lopsided federal structure, and regionally based party – politics, plus other primordial sentiments of ethnic and religion that stand to hurt the existence of a just society.  These foundational challenges make the possibility of an egalitarian community such that is capable of ensuring Nigeria’s political and socio-economic development doubtful.  Hence, this study undertakes a critical examination of Rawls’ theory of Justice employing its assumptions to mirror Nigeria’s social and political economy phenomena in other to glean its embedded lessons, primarily to enhance them.  With historical research design and content analysis of secondary information, the paper found out that the country’s constitutional provisions on human’s rights are circumscribed by the political leadership to engender a primordial sentiment of ethnic chauvinism and religious bigotry to their advantages.  The study recommends citizens’ alongside NGOs intense demand for leadership transparency and accountability amongst others to ensure social, political and economic development with harmonious co-existence at the same time.

Keywords: Economic; Rawls; Nigeria; political; Social; Phenomena

DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/63-02

Publication date: April 30^th 2020