CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
to the Study
Although
it is generally believed that the concepts of democracy and constitution were
created in one particular place and time-identified as ancient Athens circa
508BC. There is evidence to suggest that democratic forms of government, in a
board sense, may have existed in several areas of the world well before the
turn of the 5th century. Within that broad sense, it is plausible to
assume that democracy in one from or another arises naturally in any well-bonded
group, such as a tribe.
Using evidence from an analytically significant case,
Belgium, it explores the political and institutional conditions under which
religiously motivated illiberal political actors integrated successfully into
democratic institution. The interaction of three factors is shown to be
crucial: a political shift affecting the religious actor negatively, the
existence of competitive institutions, and a centralized religious structure.
The main theoretical implication is that democratic consolidation can be the
contingent outcome of self-interested political strategy rather than the result
of the pursuit of normative principles. In cognizance of this fact, the study
underlines the institutional and political context in which religious movements
are embedded and the centrality of agency and strategic calculation. It
advocates placing the study of religion and politics in a broader theoretical
perspective and study of democratization in a wider historical context.
Religious democracy- is a form of government where the values of a particular
religion have an effect on the laws and rules, often when most of the
populations are members of the religion. Democracy here coincides with certain things;
it can be secular or religious. But what occurs is coincidence, and not unity.
Democracy is not violated when a faith is embraced: it is violated when a
particular belief is imposed. Nigerians became religious before their
unification into the modern Nigerian state in 1914 by the British. One way or
the other, people do seek meaning in life, a sense of purpose that politics
cannot adequately provide but can be provided by religion. However, religion itself
cannot provide the organizing mechanism through which the society can deal with
the perennial issues of power and the need to adapt to changing circumstances.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
Despite universalistic teaching of all religions and
elevation of their true followers to the highest spiritual level, man has
suffered because of the dysfunctionality of religion, arising from its archaic
institutionalization, corporate character and indoctrination of fanatic and
obsolete beliefs and practices.
The religious leaders in Nigeria and
their political allies seem to have abandoned their responsibilities in the
process of nation building. At both religious and political areas in Nigeria in
recent times, the pursuance of group interest has given way to self-serving
enterprise where common goal is no longer valuable and unity unnecessary.
Religion has become so much the
opiate of our politicians that we now tend to ignore warnings about the
inherent dangers of mixing religion and politics.
From the secularism point of view,
the ideals of a democratic society and a secular state are unified. Therefore,
the firm principle of separation of religion and state is implicit such that
without this separation there can be no freedom from tyranny.
From the legalism point of view,
democracy can never enjoy a general acceptance in a religious society. Anything
outside of the rigid, but pervasive, interpretation of the religious texts is
rejected and the absolute sovereignty of God prevails such that there is no
role for the sovereignty of people.
1.3 Purpose
of the Study
The purpose of this research work is
to review and reveal the future of Nigerian democracy; religious perspective.
Furthermore, the research will unveil a widely shared assumption that posits
the incompatibility of religious politics and democracy. This will explore the
political and institutional conditions under which religiously motivated illiberal
political actors integrate successfully into democratic institutions.
1.4 Significance
of the Study
This research work will create an awareness
on the future of Nigerian democracy religious; perspective for the educators
and government. Political parties in Nigeria as organized bodies will find this
work very useful, it will be valuable to scholars who wish to undertake a
research on similar topics.
1.5 The
Scope of the Study
The study covers the social,
political and religious institutions of Ebonyi State. It is an opinion seeking
and fact fetching exercise which is aimed at revealing the future of Nigerian
democracy; religious perspective. Six (6) vital institutions were chosen from
the vital locations in the state. Members of staff of those institutions were
randomly seceded as respondents.
The sampled institution are:-
1. Ebonyi State House of Assembly - Nkaliki
complex
2. Ebonyi State founding father’s forum
3. Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN],
Ebonyi State Chapter
4. Abakaliki Judicial High court
commission
5. Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria [PFN],
Ebonyi State chapter
6.
Ebonyi State pilgrim Welfare Board
1.6 Research
Questions
1. What is tribalism or primitive
democracy?
2. What is modern representative
democracy?
3. What is religious democracy?
4. How
long can democracy survive in such a kind of situation in Nigeria?
5. When
will people vote credible people not based on ethnic, regional and religious
sentiments?
6. When
will politicians stop using ethnicity, regionalism and religion to converse for
votes?
Hypothesis
1. There is a significance difference between the present
ethno –religious politics and Nigerian’s democratic future.
2. There is a significance difference between the
secularism point of view on religious democracy and the legalism point of
view.