A STUDY ON GLOBALIZATION AND AFRICA’S DEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT: THE EXPERIENCE OF NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The phenomenon of globalization is one of the major trends that have become dominant in contemporary world system. Given the new wave of information technology, it is not only irreversible but capable of defining the policy of development in the 21st century. In the last few decades, and more than ever before, nation states have witnessed increase in business activities, cash flow and other economic interactions on a global scale with its attendant implications on development. The paper examines globalization not only as a strategy of economic development but also on how Nigeria can minimize the adverse effect of globalization and benefit maximally in terms of improved wellbeing of the people. The study relies on secondary source of information. It contends that for Nigeria to fully participate in the complex global political economy, it must necessarily confront frontally the constraints on global integration.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Undoubtedly, a major trend that cannot be wished away in the global political economy today is the phenomenon of globalization. Though the beginning of globalization can be traced to around
1870, its pace and scope in the last twenty years has been unprecedented (Onimode, 2000). The collapse of the Soviet Union by 1990; the subsequent adoption of economic liberalization programmes by erstwhile Communist States, the efforts of China to join the main stream of market-led economies of the Capitalist West, all of these combined as factors that propelled economic globalization process (Babawale,2007). According to Mkor (2012):Globalization is a process of vertical and horizontal integration involving increasing volume of and variety of transnational transactions, in goods and services, in international capital flows, in human migration, and through a rapid and widespread diffusion of technology.
Today, as a major force in the world system, globalization enhances trans- borders’ interaction which in turn stirs all aspects of the process, namely; economic, historical, technological, social
and political among others. In a more concrete term, it refers to the increasing economic interdependence among countries of the world through the increasing volumes of cross-border transactions in recent times (Egbaju, 2007). We could take globalization to mean the establishment of a global market for goods and capital. The universal character of competing technologies, the progression towards a global system of production (Amin, 1998).
The phenomenon of globalization came to Nigeria for the first time, not just in the last century, as it is generally thought, but when the Portuguese and the British landed on our shores before
the end of nineteenth century to establish new trade link, and to spread Christianity (Iwara, 2004).
Globalization is therefore the increasing breakdown of barriers and obstacles to the world-wide diffusion of economic ideas, doctrines, products, services and practices originating from the western industrialised, especially the United States of America (Abutudu, 2000). Whatever ideas, products and services are distributedacross territorial boundaries. It therefore implies a world system in which development in one region can come to shape the life chances of communities in parts of the globe (Arowolo, 2008).
It should be noted that Nigeria, a post-colonial state, cannot feign ignorance of the force of globalization. Of course, globalization has the promise of new opportunities for expanded markets and the spread of the use of technology (Ajayi,2004). To be properly integrated into the dynamics of the global arena, Nigeria should necessarily align with the demands of the new wave of technology, capital flow and vigorously pursue the goal of development and how
Nigeria can minimize the adverse effects of globalization and harness the benefits there in to engender national development.
The paper is structured into five parts. First is the introduction. The second is the concept of globalization and development. It is followed by the challenges of globalization. Fourth aspect is the nexus between globalization and development. Fifth is the implication of globalization for national development and the last is the conclusion.
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEWS
Concept of Globalization
Globalization is today probably the most singular factor exerting the greatest influences not only on nation-states, but also on all dimensions of human existence and interactions (Saliu, and Omotola, 2006). In point of fact, no universal definition of globalization has emerged. There as many definitions as there are scholars. However, for our purpose, a number of these shall be put
forward. Globalization is the transcendence of the economic, social, cultural, political, environmental constraints across territories. To the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it denotes greater integration of goods, services and capital between countries in the international system (IMF, 1997). Globalization manifests in many dimensions. Again, its’ so profound that today, distance is no longer a barrier. This is because of technological innovations. Territoriality is being eclipsed by telemetrically (Tuathail, 1998). Globalization could be taken to mean the ‘‘changing way of production organized as required by general dismantling of trade barriers and the free mobility of financial and productive capital (Garea, 1998). It is the internationalisation not production, finance and exchange (Pearson and Rochester, 1998).Oyejide’s comprehensive definition provides an illumination. According to him; It is the increased integration across countries, of markets for good, service and capital. It also implies accelerated expansion of economic activities globally and sharp increases in the movement of tangible and intangible goods across national and regional boundaries (in Ukaogo, 2003). Aluko (2003), defines globalization as ‘the growing interactions in world trade, national and foreign investments, capital market and the ascribe role of governments in national economies. ‘Globalization is the intensification world-wide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring miles away and vice versa’ (Giddens, 1990). From the foregoing and deluge of definitions of globalization, albeit, the inflow
of goods and capital may be guaranteed however, the manifestations of imperialism is revealing.
Components of Globalization
The globalization process has a number of components. Akin-Aina supported us when he comprehensively presented the following:
i. The emergence of a time-space compressed interdependent world where interdependence does not preclude polarization and inequality.
ii. The emergence of a new world order where there is a shift from the bi-polar world of the cold war era to a unipolar dominated and led by the United States of America. The recent war on Iraq is a pointer to this.
iii. The emergence of a new international division of labour and unequal and polarized global economy that seeks to integrate all other local economies through a process of trade liberalization and deregulation, often term ‘‘structural adjustment programmes’’
(SAPs).
iv. The emergence of a world of new flows of persons, culture, ideas, finances, etc. (Appadorai, 1990).
v. The emergence and spread of new technologies, particularly with the information revolution and their transationalization.
The increasing importance of knowledge and information for production, culture and economy and for the creation of new forms of social differentiation and stratification in society (in Taiwo, 2004).
The polarised global economy is classified into three-part hierarchy by Cox. According to him: At the top are the global economy managers and the relatively privilege workers, who serve global production and finance in reasonably state jobs. At the second level are those who serve the global economy in more precarious employment. These are those who will first get the boot whenever restructuring occurs. The third level consist of ‘‘superfluous labour’’. Those whose lots are exclusion from the global economy and who serve it only as a potentially destabilizing force. This bottom level also constitutes the ‘‘Wretched of the earth’’ or the object of global poverty and not control. Indeed, the whole region of the third world belongs to this third level (in Egbadju, 2007). There is a three-part hierarchy of the social structure of the world as shaped by the forces of globalization.
Concept of Development
Many scholars have come up with varying views of development. According to Joyce (1966); development is how best to organise a country, which has half of its population suffering fromacute shortage of food, shelter, school Hospital etc. It is conceived with all means that can be used to wipe out the productive of poverty, hunger, disease, ignorance and misery. To Finkle and Gable (1972) ‘development is the ability to maximize output per unit, increase in knowledge of production and increase in per capital income. Seers (1969), opines that development involves not only economic growth, but also a condition in which people in a country have adequate food and jobs and the income inequality among them is greatly reduced. For Todaro (1977), while economic progress is an essential path to development, it is not the only one. From this definitional exposition, development is not just about economic development, it is also more than political development. Rather it is all embracing and multi-dimensional. Development is a multidimensional concept that involves in it re-organisation and re-orientation of the entire economic, political and social institutions (Olaleye, 1997).
Challenges of Globalization in Nigeria
In spite of the global changes, many third world writers on globalization have argued that there is little to celebrate about the phenomenon. Thus Julius Ihonvbere poignantly argues that:
Globalization offers Africa the opportunity to be fully integrated into
the emerging global capitalist order to exploit the developments in
science and technology, the new information revolution, and the
expansion of the global market. Such integration allows opportunities for trade investment, foreign aid and support for development objectives. But in spite these apparent benefits, the challenges in the world system hold the possibilities for further marginalism (Ihonvbere,1996). He maintains that the constraining legacies of colonial and neo colonial exploitation, foreign
domination, conditions of poverty make participation in the global order impossible. Viewed from the foregoing, third world countries, including Nigeria that are still suffering from Our understanding of the challenges of globalization can be perceived from the relationship status between and among the participating actors in the global system. Globalization is not only a force of marginalization but inequity and also a factor of fragmentation (Adedeji, 2005). In truth, globalization has succeeded in breaking borders, collapsing space and time. In sum it has turned the world to a global village. Yet, it has aggravated the gulf between poor and rich countries. A country like Nigeria that is still battling with the forces of backwardness and economic stagnation cannot effectively harness the benefits of globalization.
In point of fact, as the world economy becomes more integrateda new reality constraints nation states. As Egbadju (2007) puts it ‘‘the current situation in developing countries, whereby they export largely primary commodities such as crude oil and cocoa, make it impossible to gain from
the trade driven by American globalization.’’ This is because, such commodities are often
characterised by unfavourable laws. This to a large extent affects developing countries. Similarly, Jahosh notes that increased international trade and financial integration of the underdeveloped countries has worsened their balance of payment problems and national development (in Mkor, 2012).
Conclusion
In this paper, we have amply demonstrated the many and varied components of globalization and how the force of globalization have impacted on national development. Undoubtedly, Nigeria as
an actor has been responding to the many challenges thrown up by the forces of globalization such as economic liberalization, Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP) etc. However, infrastructural decay, condition of poverty, ethno-religious crises and bad governance are some of the plethora of factors stultifying Nigeria’s integration into the global system and by extension
the achievement of national development. There is the dire need for government at all levels to show and indeed demonstrate the political will and zeal to cope and meet with the current global realities in its totality.
References
Abe, T. (2004) ‘‘ Global (Village), Phenomenon: Nigeria and Globalization’’ in Kolawole, D.(ed), Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Since Independence: Trends, Phases and Changes, Ibadan: Julius and Julius Associates.
Abdulraham, D.A. (2004) ‘‘Colonialism, Development paths, Globalization and Social Inequality: The Sources of Social Conflict in Nigeria’’ in D, Oni, Sogunta, T. Omoniyi, E. Adegbija & S. Awonusi (ed.), Nigeria and Globalization Discourseson Identity Politics and Social Conflict, Ibadan: Stirling-Horden Publishers (Nig) Ltd.
Abutudu, Id. (2000) Globalization: Issues and Challenges’’ paper prepared for presentation at the 7th LAPO Development forum, Oba Akenzua Cultural Complex Annex, Benin city, 17th October
Adedeji, A.(2005) ‘Nigeria’s National Interest in the light of Global Changes’ in Foreign Policy in Nigeria’s Democratic Transition. Abuja: A publication of Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations (PAC)
Ajayi, I.B. (2004) Issues of Globalization, in Africa: The opportunities and the challenges.Journal of the Social Sci
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