A Dialectical Inquest into the Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria: Exploring the Neoliberal State Thesis

Okolie Aloysius-Michaels, Nwoke Ikemefuna Sunday, Enyiazu Chukwuemeka, Ozor Adanne Chioma, Oranye Henry Uchenna and Nnamani Kelechi Elijah
Additional contact information
Okolie Aloysius-Michaels: Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Nwoke Ikemefuna Sunday: Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Enyiazu Chukwuemeka: Department of Political Science, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
Ozor Adanne Chioma: Social Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Oranye Henry Uchenna: Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Nnamani Kelechi Elijah: Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 2020, vol. 6, issue 12, 975-984

Abstract: Scholarly opinions have clearly identified governance deficits, Islamization agenda, power contestations among the elite class, heterogeneous character of African states, dysfunctional socio-economic system and external conspiracy as factors fueling and sustaining the recent wave of terrorism in Northeast Nigeria. Although these varied perspectives have been relied on by most scholars to explain the phenomenon of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, they have increasingly appeared insufficient in understanding the evolution, dynamics and seemingly intractable character of the conflict. The present study therefore explores the neoliberal economic link which provides the grand perspective and heuristically excellent foundation for explaining the intensification and seeming intractability of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Using the theory of dialectics, the study argues that the neoliberal economy foisted a failed system which could not provide social safety nets, qualitative education and affordable healthcare delivery to the people. Indeed, the ensuing condition of hopelessness generated by the withdrawal of the state in providing essential services to the citizens undoubtedly provided a fertile ground for the birth of Boko Haram insurgency. The study among other things, recommends an economic reform that prioritizes the development of the productive forces in consonance with the autochthonous development conditions of the polity.

Keywords: Boko haram insurgency; Neoliberal state; Nigeria; economic reform; Theory of dialectics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.arpgweb.com/pdf-files/jssr6(12)975-984.pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.arpgweb.com/journal/7/archive/12-2020/12/6 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:arp:tjssrr:2020:p:975-984

Access Statistics for this article

The Journal of Social Sciences Research is currently edited by Dr. Paola Magnano

More articles in The Journal of Social Sciences Research from Academic Research Publishing Group Rahim Yar Khan 64200, Punjab, Pakistan.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Managing Editor ().