Reimposing Imperial Domination in the Global South through the Mechanism of Public Policy: The Example of Nigeria

Abstract

The empire has not yet ended. It persists in different forms and expressions, (such as globalization.) The new imperial domination, however, does not always employ overt means, such as coercion to achieve its ends.  It is more subtle in approach. The result is the same, however-expropriating benefits at the expense of the dominated. Wallerstein provides a suitable theoretical frame of analysis: ‘the world economy system’ where there is no need for a central authority, but market forces. To ensure that the market ideology takes hold in the South, Western agencies, especially the international financial institutions (IFIs) are unleashed to impose policies. Nigeria, continuing in the dependency syndrome that has pervaded her history, easily succumbed to the IMF imposed SAP under globalization. She reaped the unsalutary economic conditions of deepening and spreading poverty as well as decline in growth. Nigerian leaders, therefore, need to be wary of the international do-gooders who always transmit ‘crisis of authority’ to the South by their policy recommendations. Our leaders must realize that Nigeria is more important, to the black world and humanity at large, than Nigerians might think. Project Nigeria cannot afford to fail. The misappropriation and misapplication of her resources must stop, with development pursued in a more sustainable manner.

Keywords: Imperial domination, Global South, Public policy, Market forces