ABSTRACT
This research work sought to assess the attitude of
undergraduate youths toward democratic values and the implication these
would have on social studies education in Nigeria. The youths of
Nigeria has been confirmed to form the bulk of the citizens which is the
decision making group in the society. The lack of a democratic
attitude of mind has been identified as the major obstacle that has mar
democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Thus, both elites and youths have
been observed to surprisingly shown weak commitment to the basic symbols
and values of democracy. The youths must possess a good grapse of
democratic values which will aid, guide and direct their conducts in the
discharge of their civic responsibilities. And that the possession of
democratic values is not only essential for youths to participate in
democracy but is essential for them to participate well and positively.
In
order to carry out this study, nine research questions were raised to
investigate the attitude of youths to some selected democratic values.
The survey research design, using the descriptive method was employed in
the study. Six hundred subjects were selected from the four
universities in Edo State. The study made use of the frequency and
percentage statistical tools to analyze the research questions raised
and t-test for the hypotheses raised.
At the end of analysis the following underlisted findings were arrived at; that:
Youths hold the values of respect and tolerance in high esteem why discharging their civic duties.
Youths hold in high regard the virtues of equality and the rule of law as a necessary tool for effective civil participation.
Youths hold in high regard the value of one-man-one vote during civic practices (why exercising their franchise).
Youths hold in high esteem the virtues of honesty and patriotism why carrying out their civic duties, etc.
And based on the above findings, some useful suggestions and recommendations were offered and were as follows; that:
Social
studies curriculum selection and organization should be reviewed
regularly to cater for the constant changes in societal values,
attitudes and behaviours which tend to affect citizens adherence to
democratic values.
New democratic values such as transparency, due
process, your vote must count and one-man-one vote etc that are
currently gaining access into Nigeria core democratic values need to as a
matter of urgency be introduced into social study curriculum.
All
agencies, bodies, organizations like INEC, NOA, civil society groups and
Non-Governmental Organizations should assist to create the awareness,
understanding and internalization of democratic values in youths that
have missed the opportunity of been imparted with such values through
social studies teachings.
These suggestions and others if carried out
would help to forestall/reduce the undemocratic attitude and behaviours
prevalence in our society.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
List of Tables
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions
Hypotheses
Significance of the Study
Delimitation
Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Clarification
Positive View, Belief and Regard for Democratic Values and Effect on Participation of Nigerian undergraduate youths in Democracy
Negative view, Belief and Regard For Democratic Values and Effect on Participation of Nigerian undergraduate Youths in Democracy
Social Studies and Citizenship Education – Its Role in Entrenching Right Democratic Values in undergraduate Youths
Summary
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Population of the Study
Sample and Sampling Techniques
Instrumentation
Validity of Instrument
Reliability of Instrument
Method of Administration of Instrument
Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF DATA, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Analysis of Data, Interpretation
Discussion of Findings
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
Conclusion
Recommendations
Suggestions for further studies
References
Appendix (Questionnaire)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Citizens are the hearts
and soul of democracy and hence there must be active and informed
involvement of the people at all levels of governance as willing
participants in defining and maintaining their democracy. The youths of
any society are a potential force to reckon with in that society,
Nigeria not exempted. They constitute a large chunks of the decision
making groups in the society. The Nigerian youths form the bulk of the
citizens which is the decision making groups in our democracy. Youths
must not be unlookers but the driving force behind democracy and their
participation must not be limited to elections only, but a continuing
engagement with the process of democratic governance. In line with this
assertion, NERDC (2005) agreed that, The role of the youths as
electorates does not just stop at voting. The youths must constantly
engage in the political process in order to strengthen democracy. Thus,
the youths must ensure that government policies truly represent
people’s best interest and not those of a handful of rulers.
Corroborating
the above assertion, NOA (2006) posited that, For democracy to succeed,
citizens must be active, not passive, because the success or failure of
the government is their collective responsibility. The citizens must
ensure that they shape the government of their choosing. The youths can
individually, collectively and through various civil society groups get
mobilized and involved in citizenship and governance by joining
political parties and contesting elective offices wherein they can
influence government policies and programmes. To participate well in
democratic activities, the youths must possess a good grapse of
democratic values which will aid, guide and direct their conducts in the
discharge of their civic responsibilities. In line with this,
NOA(2006) asserts that: “For democracy to be sustained, it is essential
that citizenry possess the requisite skills, demonstrate the values, and
display the behaviours that accord democracy”. That is democracy is
nurtured and sustained only when democratic values are rooted in the
minds and actions of citizens (NOA, 2006).
Ojo in Iyoha, Aghayere and
Oviasuyi (2003) advanced that “it is required at the level of both
elites and the youths that attitude and behaviour supportive of
democratic consolidation be appropriately developed”. Thus, it is
crystally clear that the possession of democratic values is not only
essential for youths to participate in democracy but are essential for
them to participate well and positively. CIVITAS (1991) and Avaro (2001)
defined democratic values “as the fundamental beliefs and
constitutional principles which guide the democratic government put in
place in a particular society”. They are ethos that regulate the
extend, level and involvement of participants in a democracy. CIVITAS
and Avaro went ahead to identify and itemize life, liberty, pursuit of
happiness, the common good, justice, equality, diversity, truth, popular
sovereignty and patriotism as fundamental beliefs. And rule of law,
separation of powers, representative government, check and balances,
individual rights, freedom of religion, federalism and civil control of
military as constitutional principles, both making up the American core
democratic values. Most of these core democratic values identified by
CIVTAS and Avaro were derived from the speeches of American presidents,
chiefly by Thomas Jefferson.
Here in Nigeria, it need to be pointed
out that there is no unanimous agreement as to what constitute our
democratic values or that there is no single document that contain such
values as in the case of the U.S and other older democracies. What we
can distill as our democratic values are excerpts from our constitution,
speeches of past leaders and governments and writings contained in some
available literature. A thorough search and comparison of findings
with that of the U.S core democratic values. The researcher concludes
that the following values of happy life, freedom, equality(one-man-one
vote), justice, toleration of diversity, unity(national integration),
national loyalty(as against sectional loyalty), rule of law, separation
of powers, checks and balances, transparency, patriotism, dignity of
human person, representative government, self-reliance, due process,
electoral credibility(citizens vote must count), common good(acting in
the best interest), popular consent, supremacy of the people, toleration
of opposition and legitimacy are Nigeria’s core democratic values.
While the underlisted values of honesty, discipline, integrity, dignity
of labour, humaneness, mutual respect, orderliness etc. should remain
simply as democratic values or civic values or traits that make
democracy possible (FGN, 1999; Ojo in Iyoha et al, 2003; NERDC, 2005
& Nnamdi, 2009).
So the decision of the youths to participate or
not to participate depends on their awareness adherence and
internationalization of these democratic values and this has serious
consequences on democracy and the general polity. And it is in turn
determined by the factors of or the interplay of political culture,
civic or citizenship education and the political experiences of the
society in question. Ojo in Iyoha, et al (2003) advanced that “the lack
of development of democratic attitude (values) is one major obstacle
that has mar democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Thus, it is the
obstacle to youths positive participation in our democracy”. However,
Nigerian youths have contributed immensely to the growth and development
of their various communities and the country in general. Their
struggle and move have always been a sacrificial one which outcomes are
not only their selfish interest alone but for the generality of the
people (Aghayere in Iyoha, et al, 2003). Aghayere (2007) further
asserts that,
Nigerian youths, particularly Nigerian students, have
been known for their active participation in nation building. Their
sustained struggles and agitation against colonial exploitation and
domination of the political system, amongst others, paved the way for
the termination of colonial rule and attainment of independence.
The
youths also played important roles of facilitating the democratization
of Nigeria (demilitarization of Nigeria). Their selfless activities
largely contributed to the enthronement of democratic rule that
culminated in the 1979 and 1983 civilian rule in Nigeria. The youths
protest that greeted the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential
election cannot go unmentioned.
Contributing to this, NOA (2006) also
identified other areas of youths positive participation in democratic
governance. These it outlined to include the following activities,
Meeting with political officials to express their concerns and desires,
petitioning and demonstrating peacefully, voting, registering,
contesting elective offices, demanding accountability from elected
representatives, scrutinizing and criticizing government policies,
writing articles in newspapers, boycotts and labour unions strikes. In
addition to these, the youths also served as Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) staff, provided services or items (electoral
materials) to INEC as self employed youths and defended their vote
casted when results were hijacked by political warlords. On the other
hand, most of the actions and involvement of Nigerian youths have
portrayed negative influence on our democracy and the polity in
general. In line with this view, Ojo in Iyoha, et al (2003) pointed out
that, Much of the deviance in political behaviour can be traced to the
youths and are correctly attributed to lack of a democratic attitude of
mind. The ultimate manifestation of the absence of a democratic
attitude of mind is electoral rigging, intolerance of political dissent,
alternative or opposing view points.
He asserts further that “both
the elites and youths have surprisingly shown weak commitment to basic
symbols and values of democracy”. Hence, there is serious manifestation
of greed, inordinate ambition to win power, thuggery, dishonesty,
personalization of political/public offices, insincerity, disrespect for
others, intolerance etc in our national polity. The disposition that
forms democratic ethos are not inherited or passed down through the
genetic mode; it is required that each generation of society learn civic
facts, explore democratic ideas and values and connect such concepts to
the responsibility of citizenship. Such disposition must be fostered
and internalized by word, study and by power of example. It is in this
regard social studies as a school subject is highly imperative in
fostering these learnings and to sustain our nascent democracy. The many
years of military rule in Nigeria have been marred by uncivil political
behaviours that ranged from political apathy to electoral fraud. The
attendant effect has been lack of popular participation, and
disengagement of many Nigerians, particularly youths, from political
processes. These development suggest weak civil support for democratic
values and institutions.
The focus of this study is to ascertain the
extent to which youths are aware/unaware, have positively/negatively
internalized these democratic values in the discharge of their civic
duties and more importantly, the extent to which social studies
education can help to learn or unlearn these values in youths.
As
pointed out earlier that democracy is nurtured and sustained only when
democratic values are rooted in the minds and actions of citizens.
Civic and citizenship education, which are vital aspects of social
studies is essential in the inculcation and entrenchment of these vital
knowledge, values and actions in citizenry. This brings to mind the
definition of social studies given by Kissock (1981) when he defined
social studies as a programme of study which a society use to instill in
students the knowledge, skills, values, and actions it considers
important according to the relationship human beings have with each
other, their world and themselves (Iyamu and Onyeson, 1991). To
Kissock, social studies can be used to instill in learners those
desirable attitudes and actions (i.e. democratic attitudes and values)
that a society feels desirable to its survival as a people.
Youths
acquire the status of citizenship in any particular society after
undergoing certain psychological awareness and social training as well
as some specific skills (Aghayere in Iyoha, et al, 2003). The age at
which such is reached varies from society to society. But subscribing
to the argument of Agbebaku and Agbebaku(2007) that, “youths in Nigeria
are people normally between the ages of 18 to 45 years”. Their reasons
for the choices of 18 as the lower age was derived from the fact that
the 1999 constitution of Nigeria sets that mark as the minimum
acceptable voting age for Nigerians. And that of 45; it is the peak
where people still demonstrate youthfulness and energy for civic
activities. Therefore, for the purpose of this study, Nigerian
undergraduate youths will mean persons between the ages of 18 and 45
years who are currently undergoing their first degree programmes in any
Nigerian universities.
Statement of the Problem
This study was undertaken to investigate
the perception of Nigerian youths of democratic values. From experience
with youths during elections and civic activities, the extent to which
youths are aware of, understand and/or have internalized these values is
not certain. This has serious implication for social studies
education, our democracy and the Nigerian nation as a whole. Thus,
there is apprehension when one takes a cursory look at the undemocratic
attitudes, level of incivility prevalence among our youths and the
ultimate manifestation of negative behaviours such as electoral rigging;
kidnapping/killing of political opponents; writing or sponsoring the
publications of damaging articles in our media; tearing, removal or
defacing of posters belonging to political opponents/parties; youths
enlisting into various cult groups to be used as party
kingpins/political thugs; the general apathy/indifference of many youths
to elections and democratic process; youths mortgaging their conscience
after being induced with meagre amount of money or materials like
face-caps, T-shirts, umbrellas etc to support the wrong
candidates/parties knowing fully well they have no political will and
the reputation to deliver on electoral promises and thereafter put their
future in jeopardy and perpetual wants. The end result is bad
leadership/government, high number of electoral cases in court, lack of
basic infrastructure, unemployment, and underdevelopment. Recently, the
National Orientation Agencies, has embarked on mass mobilization to
raise people’s awareness of democratic values in the country. Even at
that, what can we say about the present perception of Nigerian youths of
democratic values? How much does social studies have to offer in
promoting these values in the youths?
Purpose of the Study
This study was carried out to assess the
attitude and conduct of Nigerian youths so as to ascertain the extent to
which they are aware, understand, and have imbibed the democratic
values that guide Nigerian democratic process; the extent to which
democratic values regulate our youths as participants in the various
democratic processes.
Specifically, it is to find out the attitude of youths toward:
the virtues of respect and tolerance while indulging in/carrying out political activities;
the virtues of honesty and patriotism while discharging their civic duties;
transparency and following due process in their civic practices;
the provision of justice for every citizens in our democracy;
equality of every citizens in our democracy;
the principle of one-man-one vote in the political process;
freedom of action in the democratic process.
Research Questions
The following underlisted research questions were raised to investigate the study:
What is the attitude of youths to the virtues of respect and tolerance in the political process?
What is the attitude of youths to the virtues of honesty and patriotism in the democratic process?
What is the attitude of youths to the virtues of transparency and due process in the democratic process?
What is the attitude of youths to the provision of justice in our democratic process?
What is the attitude of youths to the provision of freedom of action in our democratic process?
What is the attitude of the youths to the virtues of equality and the rule of law in the political process?
What is the attitude of the youths to the principle of one-man-one vote in the political process?
Does the attitude of the students in public universities toward democratic values differ from those of the private universities?
Does the attitude of full-Time students of democratic values differ from those of the Part-Time students?
Hypotheses
The
Attitude of students in public universities of democratic values do not
differ significantly from those of the private universities.
The attitude of full-time students of democratic values do not differ significantly from those of part-time students.
Significance of the Study
This study was undertaken at the time the Nigerian state is passing through a trying moment in its democratization process.
The
study will specifically expose what social studies as a school subject
has done so far in terms of citizenship transmission – producing
citizens (youths) that are civically conscious, responsible and
competent. And the lapses in the school subject why it is not living up
to expectation.
The work will also be useful to curriculum
developers when deciding which subjects should feature as core; and at
which level should they feature and when should they not. That social
studies education terminating in JSS III in our school system before now
has done great disservice to good citizenship transmission. And thanks
to the newly introduced civic education that will be offered at senior
secondary school (SSS) in our schools.
The study will also be useful
in identifying the democratic values that would be taught to the youths
in our school system. It will also be useful in the informal settings
or gatherings organized by MAMSER, INEC, political parties such as
rallies venues, campaign grounds, sensitization programmes etc as there
is acute limited work or literature on the concept, democratic values.
It
will also help to identify the undemocratic attitudes and behaviour
Nigerian youths are associated with/indulged in our democratic process
so as to provide INEC, security agents and political parties with the
adequate information and possible ways of forestalling such ugly menace.
Finally,
it will help to correct the attitude of indifference and general apathy
of many Nigerian youths to electoral process and democracy in general.
That is to sensitize the youths to be a part and parcel of the
mechanism that makes and shapes the decisions and policies that
determine their future rather than living it in the hands of few elites
who are selfish and parochial in their judgments. And why acting in
this capacity to imbibe the democratic ethos that ensure electoral
credibility and democratic consolidation.
Delimitation
The scope of this study was restricted to the
attitude of Nigerian youths within the ages of 18 and 45 years of
democratic values. The composition of youths for this study was made up
of undergraduate students of the universities in Edo State. In a
nutshell, the study is restricted to the attitude of subjects in Edo
State but the findings will generalized on the entire Nigerian
undergraduate youths.
Definition of Terms
The core words or concept are defined operationally as used in this study:
Democratic
Values: Are the fundamental belief and the constitutional principle
which guide the democratic government put in place in a particular
society. They are the ethos that regulate the extent, level and the
involvement of participants in a democracy. Examples are rule of law,
patriotism, equality, freedom, self-reliance, the common good, justice,
toleration of diversity, transparency, etc.