The Effects of Globalization on Nigeria
24 April 2013
Shakhnoza Kabilova
CCGL9013 Globalization: African Experiences
End of Term Paper
Question 2: Choose one African country or society and critically assess both the positive and negative consequences of one aspect of globalization that is affecting this society.
Word count: 2090
There are many definitions of globalization, some suggesting that globalization is an ideological battleground where power and resources are fought over and won by a privileged few - that power in fact controls globalization (Adesanya, 2011). Theoretically globalization is meant to make possible the democratization of market forces, the breakdown of trade barriers (Adesanya, 2011) and the transformation of a country from one with a primarily extractive economy to one which has a larger manufacturing sector (Subair, 2011). However in practice this has not proven to work very well, especially in Lower Developed Countries (LDCs). In fact some suggest that globalization has led to an intrinsic bias in the world economic order against LDCs that is making it impossible for them to prosper (Edokpayi, 2004). To explore this issue I wish to analyze the effect of globalization on one of the richest countries in resources in Africa – Nigeria. I want to explore in particular the negative and positive effects that oil prospecting has had in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, economically, socially and environmentally. I also wish to analyze the extent to which the Nigerian government is responsible for the region’s lack of economic prosperity. My hypothesis is that the involvement of foreign companies in oil extraction has had a mostly negative impact on the region and its people. The aim of this essay is therefore to explore if this hypothesis is true.
It is argued by some that economic policies pursued under globalization, such as liberalization and Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs), actually had adverse effects on the Nigerian economy. While liberalization is meant to eliminate
Shakhnoza Kabilova
CCGL9013 Globalization: African Experiences
End of Term Paper
Question 2: Choose one African country or society and critically assess both the positive and negative consequences of one aspect of globalization that is affecting this society.
Word count: 2090
There are many definitions of globalization, some suggesting that globalization is an ideological battleground where power and resources are fought over and won by a privileged few - that power in fact controls globalization (Adesanya, 2011). Theoretically globalization is meant to make possible the democratization of market forces, the breakdown of trade barriers (Adesanya, 2011) and the transformation of a country from one with a primarily extractive economy to one which has a larger manufacturing sector (Subair, 2011). However in practice this has not proven to work very well, especially in Lower Developed Countries (LDCs). In fact some suggest that globalization has led to an intrinsic bias in the world economic order against LDCs that is making it impossible for them to prosper (Edokpayi, 2004). To explore this issue I wish to analyze the effect of globalization on one of the richest countries in resources in Africa – Nigeria. I want to explore in particular the negative and positive effects that oil prospecting has had in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, economically, socially and environmentally. I also wish to analyze the extent to which the Nigerian government is responsible for the region’s lack of economic prosperity. My hypothesis is that the involvement of foreign companies in oil extraction has had a mostly negative impact on the region and its people. The aim of this essay is therefore to explore if this hypothesis is true.
It is argued by some that economic policies pursued under globalization, such as liberalization and Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs), actually had adverse effects on the Nigerian economy. While liberalization is meant to eliminate