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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Recontextualisation of the concept of godfatherism: reflections on Nigeria
Author:Onwuzuruigbo, IfeanyiISNI
Year:2013
Periodical:Africa Development: A Quarterly Journal of CODESRIA (ISSN 0850-3907)
Volume:38
Issue:1-2
Pages:25-50
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:social relations
patronage
politics
External links:https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ad/article/view/99535
https://www.jstor.org/stable/afrdevafrdev.38.1-2.25
Abstract:Social exchange relations have economic, religious, moral and political implications for both dyadic and group relations. Consequently, some social scientists deploy social exchange theory to explain human actions, behaviour and institutions. The concept of godfatherism, as a form of exchange and clientelist relation, has characterized social, political, religious and commercial networks of indigenous groups in Nigeria since precolonial times. Recent commentaries on godfatherism, however, erroneously portray the phenomenon as a new form of political interaction, encouraging electoral fraud, promoting intra-party and political conflicts, and consequently stifling the consolidation of Nigeria's extant democracy. This superficial treatment of godfatherism, which presents it in a negative way, has developed without taking into account the socio-cultural origin of the concept and its contribution to the political and commercial development of precolonial societies. The paper re-contextualizes the concept of godfatherism, outlining godfatherism in Igbo commerce and merchant apprenticeship, and in Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba socio-political structure. It captures its positive contribution to entrenching responsive and responsible leadership and promoting development. It also considers the distortions the concept suffered as it evolved from a form of social exchange to a form of political relationship, encouraging political conflicts and corruption in colonial and post-colonial Nigeria. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract, edited]
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