Sunday, March 22, 2009

tuesday notes period 4

2007 elections- wide spread corruption and fraud, stuffed ballots, more votes than voters.
50-300 people die leading up to election
Unknown northern Governor, Umaru Yaradue of Peoples Democratic party chosen over Nigerian Party and Action Part.
President Umaru Yarudue
Like Obasanja, retires top military officers
Promises end to violence in Niger Delta
Socialization and Political culture
Ethnicity, Religion, Geographic region, urban/rural, and class
Ethnicity and religion
NW- Hausa Fulani, Islamic
NE- Several nondominant groups, Islamic
Middle belt- center of country, wide range of groups, Muslim and Christian.
SW- Yoruba, 40% Muslim, 40% Christian, 20% tribal
SE- Igbo homeland, 3rd largest group, Christian.
Southern- minority zone, between Igbo and Yoruba, on Niger delta, mix of religions.
Elite
Politically active, Urban, well educated, English speakers, in cash economy
Want honest government, Rep. government, civil liberties

Masses
Urban and rural- subjects, not active politically except during smpaigns. Patron client to survive, not well educated, ½ of Nigeria is illiterate, not English speaking, subsistence economy.
Want results; don’t care what type of gov.
Oil revenue/ corruption /patron-client
Supposed to go to state and national level. Made corruption easier
Lowest level- customs officers- gifts and bribes for everyday service. At airport in LAOS
Highest level- Gen. Bobengida bought new cars for supporters the week he steps down.
Government workers referred to as lutocrauts.
Part of traditional existence
Everyone is responsible for village children even if someone is successful still responsible. Even head of state is responsible for village aka bribes/ gifts
Mixed w/ patron-client corruption occurs
If patron gets access to gov. funds clients expect more rewards at village
Prebendalism
Dispensing of public jobs and rents (money paid to National government by other countries for rule) Money comes on, clients tap patrons for money
Two sides office holder and clients
Culturally
North and South are different. Geographic region
South-enjoys basis for modern economy, and democratic institutes under British.
North-remained agricultural under British
Family, community, first base.
65%-75% of children go to primary school
More in south than North, in north than girls.
Education seen as important but few get past primary school.
2ndary is expensive and in English
Gov tries to shape attitudes about politics from campaigns to parties, have
Local officials- educated in English, likely to be open to bribes.
Jr. high- $50 for an A
Media
Tv- mostly gov.
Radio-mostuse it for information. BBC, voice of America
Cwll phone in 2002- land line inreliable, cell phones are. Limited access to internet. Cyber cafes
Participation
Voting rates difficult to estimate. A census is a volatile issue. Unsure of number of people in Nigeria
Due to military rule, voter fraud, and a tradition of nontrust. Estimated 47% in 93’ and 67% in 97’ turnout each year. But unreliable due to massive raud
In middle belt and south, women tend to vote more.
Women in north couldn’t vote until 1979
Elites divided both ethnically and religiously
· Routes to elite are dominated by the military, which is dominated by northerners
· Although former General Obsanjo, not president, was from the middle belt
· Officer core is well educated.
· Traditional leaders exist as well. north Muslims are Emirs, the south Yoruba's are kings and others are village leaders
· Almost ass higher level civil servants have a degree- does little to stop corruption

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