Nigeria's elusive quest for democracy: multinational corporations and sustenance of authoritarianism

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Periodical article

Title:	Nigeria's elusive quest for democracy: multinational corporations and sustenance of authoritarianism
Author:	Singh, Nitya
Year:	2011
Periodical:	African and Asian Studies (ISSN 1569-2094)
Volume:	10
Issue:	2-3
Pages:	209-233
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	multinational enterprises oil companies authoritarianism political economy
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1163/156921011X587031
Abstract:	In 1999 Nigeria witnessed its second transition to democracy. However, not only have authoritarian regimes existed in Nigeria for a substantial part of its history but the successive democratic governments since 1999 have continued to mirror the characteristics of these regimes. This article analyses this paradox by examining the role of multinational corporations in preventing the growth of democracy in Nigeria. It argues that the rentier incomes provided by multinational oil corporations to the Nigerian State have enabled the authoritarian regimes to maintain power. Furthermore, multinational corporations have also played an important role in ensuring the continuation of an 'elite social class' supportive of these regimes. These findings suggest that the important socioeconomic position enjoyed by these multinational corporations within Nigerian society has resulted in the continuation of the authoritarian regimes and their policies. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]