Claim Missing Document
Check
Articles

Found 2 Documents
Search

A Monograph on Theoretical Understanding of the Contradictions of Vested Interests and Underdevelopment in Peripheral Social Formation Ogbonna, Hyginus Obinna
Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 12 No. 4 (2021): July 2021
Publisher : Richtmann Publishing

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.36941/mjss-2021-0034

Abstract

This paper focuses on theoretical understanding of the contradictions of vested interests and the underdevelopment in the peripheral social formations; having as its raison d'être, to explore the possible ways by which the vested interests of a particular social group or class has contributed in shaping the underdevelopment of the periphery in the global economy –with inferences from a sub-Saharan African country, Nigeria (with empirical-based evidences); and moving forward, to find ways to counteract or mitigate these contradictions for the amelioration of the human condition in the periphery. Thus, the paper achieves its objectives by adopting a qualitative descriptive method of analysis, investigating the contradictions of the vested interests of both the neo-colonial elite in the Periphery and the capitalists of the Center (advanced capitalist nations), with an admixture of "Dependency Perspective" in its exploration. A theoretical framework, Marxian Ideology, was employed to help for a better epistemic understanding of the dynamics of vested interests aided by helpful extrapolations in its analysis. In the final analysis, the paper made some findings. A few of these include, 1) that the ruling class of the peripheral nations, especially in Africa (typically, Nigeria) has the culture of diverting national wealth for own personal interest. 2) That every moment of domination precipitates moments of resistance by the subjugated class, hence revolutions and instability are endemic in any polity fraught with vested interests of the dominant class. 3) That the peripheral nations have remained underdeveloped due to the selfish interests of both the peripheral ruling class (the puppets of the capitalist of the Center) and the advanced capitalist nations. The paper therefore recommends: that the peripheral social formations should pursue serious independent policies of social justice along egalitarian lines as well as economic and political self-reliance –e.g. state incentives for local industrialists and integrating and strengthening the domestic productive base to attain a self-reliant articulated economy. 2) There is need for total commitment to democratic ethos or permissiveness including popular-empowerment in every aspect for the amelioration of the human condition; among others.   Received: 29 May 2021 / Accepted: 30 June 2021 / Published: 8 July 2021
Examining Social Exchange Theory and Social Change in the Works of George Caspar Homans – Implications for the State and Global Inequalities in the World Economic Order Ogbonna, Hyginus Obinna; Mbah, Chidi Slessor
Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 13 No. 1 (2022): January 2022
Publisher : Richtmann Publishing

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.36941/mjss-2022-0009

Abstract

This paper focuses on the critical investigation of ‘Social Exchange theory’ and ‘Social Change’ in the works of George Homans. The objectives are to appropriate the interpenetrations of the twin concepts, and their implications towards the amelioration of the human condition both within the state, and within the global socio-economic relations. Thus, the paper achieves its objectives by applying a qualitative-critical descriptive method of analysis on the subject matter –with a critique from Peter Blau’s variant perspective for helpful extrapolations to explaining human condition within the state, and globally. The paper made some findings, draws conclusions, and recommendations. A few of these findings include 1) the propensities of breaching the norm of reciprocity in social exchange process are higher than the tendencies to maintain the norm; 2) at the breach of the norm of reciprocity, there are higher risks of losses than the gains, and there are immanent implications; 3).That societal progress can also emerge via resistance to an ‘apopular’ status quo. The paper concluded that, there is a semblance of order when the norm of reciprocity is observed among nations, and within nations; but moments of aggression exists with immanent crisis-tendencies that are anti-development where the norm is violated. Therefore, the paper recommends: the state should be committed to its part of the social contract with the citizenry in terms of provisions of human-centered development facilities; and where the state loses the sanctity of its legitimacy and turns to a ‘class-state’, counter-reactions and resistance from the subaltern classes (the civil society) through protests for progressive social change or for the improvement of the human condition, should not be discouraged. Additionally, the advanced nations should recognize the socioeconomic rights of the less developed nations for a fair deal in the global economic relations. Received: 29 November 2021 / Accepted: 28 December 2021 / Published: 5 January 2022