NATIONAL ROLE CONCEPTIONS IN FOREIGN POLICY: TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING NIGERIA’S COMMITMENT TO PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS IN AFRICA
Abstract
The paper expounds the explanatory and heuristic value of role theory in foreign policy analysis. The objective is to determine the extent of role conception in Nigeria’s foreign policy and its attendant consequences to national development. The relevant of the paper is to explain the contradiction inherent in the country’s foreign policy objectives as manifested in the dispute over the ownership of Bakassi Peninsula. The concern here is not necessary how Nigeria acts in foreign scene, but why. The paper adopted historic descriptive exposition approach in analyzing the issues involved. The findings reveal that Nigeria’s self-assigned roles in West Africa sub-region and Africa at large is to say the least not base on quid pro quo basis. The country’s human population, natural resources and by extension enormous economic resources made her to perceived an ostentatious role in Africa. It concludes that Nigeria should shift from idealistic to realistic foreign policy objective with high premium on national interest, and the promotion of international peace should not be a basis for dissipation of its energy.
Downloads
References
Adigbuo, E.R. (2014). “Role Conflicts in Foreign Policy: Nigeria’s Dilemma over Bakassi Peninsula” Journal of Constitutional Development, 14(3)
Adigbuo, E.R. (2011). National Role Conceptions: A New Trend in Foreign Policy Analysis available at http://www.wiscnet.org/porto2011/papers/wisc-2011.pdf. Accessed on 5/8/2023
Aggestam, L. (1998). Role Conceptions and the Politics of Identity in Foreign Policy ARENA workingpaperswp99/8availableatwww.deustcheaussenpolitik.de/resources/seminara/gb/approache/document/wp998htm/ accessed on 7/8/2023
Goldstein, J. and Keohane, R. (eds) (1993). Ideas of Foreign Policy: Belief, Institutions and Political Charge, Cornel University
Graber, D. (1976). Verbal Behavior and Politics, University of Illinois press
Holsti, K.J. (1987). “National Role Conceptions in the Study of Foreign Policy” in Walker, S.G. (ed), Role Theory and Foreign Policy Analysis, Duke press policy Studies
Walker, S.G. (1970). “National Role Conceptions and Systematic Outcomes” in Falkowski, L.S. (ed), Psychology Models in International Politics, West View press
Sekhri, S. (2009). “The Role Approach as a Theoretical Framework for Analysis of Foreign Policy in Third World Countries” African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 3(10)
Gwar, J.T. (2014). “A History of Nigerian Foreign Policy and Contribution to International Peacekeeping Missions in Africa, 1960- 2012” A paper presented at Postgraduate seminar of Department of History, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Okpokpo, E. (2007). “The Challenges of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in the next Millennium” African Studies Quarterly, online searchjournal.com
Omagu, D. (2015). “Globalization of Conflicts and Nigeria’s Role in Peace Support Operations” in Orngu, C.S, Odeh, L.E. and Vaaseh, G.A. (eds), Multilateralism, the United Nations and Nigeria in the 20th and 21st Centuries, Gwatex Publishers
Tsuwa, J. and Ochoga, E.O. (2015). “The Nigeria’s Defence Policy and the Challenges of Nigeria Territorial Integrity: An Analysis of the ICJ Ruling on the Bakassi Peninsula Crisis” in Orngu, C.S, Odeh, L.E. and Vaaseh, G.A. (eds), Multilateralism, the United Nations and Nigeria in the 20th and 21st Centuries, Gwatex Publishers
Mbachu, O. (2011). Nigeria’s Strategic Interests in Africa: A Critical Analysis of Contemporary Strategic Studies, Medusa Academic publishers Ltd
The authors and co-authors warrant that the article is their original work, does not infringe any copyright, and has not been published elsewhere. By submitting the article to GPH-International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, the authors agree that the journal has the right to retract or remove the article in case of proven ethical misconduct.
Firozpur Jhirka, Haryana, India
