Comparative Analysis of Federalism and Natural Resource Management in Nigeria and South Africa

Filed in Political Science Project Topics by on October 19, 2020

Comparative Analysis of Federalism and Natural Resource Management in Nigeria and South Africa.

ABSTRACT

The history of mankind in all generation has been a struggle dominated by the need to enhance his material condition either as an individual or as a collectivity.

The struggle for material condition has led to the evolution of different types of political systems, which include federalism. Importantly, each state is endowed with different kinds of natural resources, which has engendered development in some states and underdevelopment in others.

While scholars have made substantial contributions on the nature, structure, dynamism and economics of federalism, very little efforts has been directed to a comparative analysis of the impact of the structure of federalism on revenue allocation and the management of natural resources in Nigeria and South Africa.

In particular, this study attempts to resolve the following puzzles as delineated: (i) how does the structure of federalism impact on the pattern of revenue allocation among the constituent units in Nigeria and South Africa? (ii)

Do the proceeds from natural resources exploitation in Nigeria and South Arica adequately enhance the provision of basic social amenities? (iii) Does the role of the state in Nigeria engender conflict in resource access and management in contradistinction to the role of the state in South Africa?

The study adopted the documentation method of data collection. The study also adopted the basic propositions emanating from the Marxian political economy approach, which are applicable to Nigeria and South African social formations as our theoretical framework of analysis.

Among other things, the study revealed that the unbalanced structure of the Nigerian federalism impact disproportionately on the revenue allocated to the component units, while the structure of the South African federalism enhances equitability in revenue allocations.

The study also observed that the proceeds from the exploitation of natural resources did not adequately impact on the provision of basic social amenities in both Nigeria and South Africa.

The study recommend for the restructuring of Nigerian Federalism with a-three-tier government based on the existing 6 geo-political zones as the federating units.

Again, the government should enact law that ensures that proceeds from natural resource exploitation are used to provide basic social amenities to the entire political system, but particularly to the region of extraction.

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

A very striking feature of every federal state is the existence of diversities. Whether federations are formed by integration of previously independent entities or through differentiation of a single entity into many components, the central motive is usually to enhance political and economic benefits.

The nature and dynamism of federal states are usually influenced by the structure of its internal territorial configuration.

As a result, the different component units that make up the federation struggle for economic and socio-political dominance. In this struggle, the state is the major mediator and distributor of all the privileges and this role increases the value of the state.

As opined by Suberu (1998:277), the line demarcating politics and economics has been erased as state power equals wealth and wealth is the pathway to power.

In this connect, Awa (1976:12), contends that one of the aims of federalism is that economic resources in various component units should be used in such a way that the entire political system benefits equitably from the economies of scale.

The political system in a federal state is usually a configuration of ethnic, religious and cultural groups. Either in isolation or in combination, these groups’ identities may have some bearing on the political conduct and socio- economic role in the society.

Since most federal states are heterogenous, it should not be surprising that their internal politics are defined and characterized by their pluralities, and these different identities have remained powerful elements in their domestic politics.

Notwithstanding, federalism has had multiple significance for managing diverse  societies. It is an approach to governance that may be applicable to certain countries given their pluralism in terms of culture, religion, language and ethnicity.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ake, Claude (2001) Democracy and Development in Africa. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.

Ake, Claude (1981) A Political Economy of Africa. London: Longman Group Limited.

Ake, Claude (1985) “The State in Contemporary Africa” in C. Ake, (ed) Political Economy of Nigeria. Longman Group Limited, Nigeria.

Anwar,   Shah    (2007)    The    Practice    of    Fiscal    Federalism:    Comparative    Perspectives.

London:McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Anyanwu, J.C.et al (1997) The structure of Nigerian Economy (1960-1997). Awka: Joanee Educational Publishers Ltd.

Awa, E. O. (1976) Issues in Federalism. Benin: Ethiope Publishing Corporation.

Bannon, I. And Collier, P. (2003), Natural Resources and Violent Conflict: Options and Actions, Washington D.C.: The World Bank.

Chinweizu (1978) The West and The Rest of Us. London: NOK Publishers.

Cohen, L. and Manion, L. (1980) Research Methods in Education, London: Crolm Helm.

Comments are closed.

Hey Hi

Don't miss this opportunity

Enter Your Details