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FEATURED RESEARCH: “Questioning Tocqueville in Africa”
"Questioning Tocqueville in Africa: Continuity and Change in Civil society During Nigeria’s Democratization"
Alexis de Tocqueville's influence on the democratization literature has encouraged the idea that transitions require an independent civil society. However this view reifies boundaries between state and society, and it over-predicts civil society confrontation with governments. Drawing upon Hegel, I develop a model that clusters organizations according to goal orientation and autonomy. I then examine civil society during Nigeria’s democratization. I attribute changes in autonomy and goal orientation of organizations to transnational organizing, coalition building, and repression. My findings question the assumption that autonomous organizations will challenge the state.
(This article appears in the February 2011 issue of Democratization, vol. 18, no. 1)
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One Response
Olumide Famuyiwa - March 4, 2010
Hi Ogbologbo,
Just thought to say hi and ask about your family and work. I was also thinking that I could share some insights with you on the messy and dangerous state of affairs in Nigeria, for which I have a feeling that your colleagues and those who know about your expertise on Nigerian politics would have inundated you with requests for perpectives, analysis and predictions. If there is time we can talk about some underlying dimensions of the problem.
Best,
Olumide
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