Boroism and Liberalism in Contemporary Izon Political Thought

Abstract

Social Scientists from the 19th  and 20th  have argued that the driving principle, idea or philosophy in any organized society is responsible for the direction of that society akin to the Hegelian Absolute spirit manifesting through different epochs. For instance Marx argued that the Social Condition of a people determines their consciousness and he ended up with the principle of class struggle. The social contractarians led by Locke and Hobbes believe that the idea of a social contract is the only solution to the horrible life in the state of nature. It is in this direction that societies are classified as advanced or backward. Societies that are guided by well-articulated principles of justice are described by Rawls (1970) as well ordered and we can infer therefrom that the opposite are disordered. Well-ordered societies hardly apply social coercion to get cooperation from their citizens and obedience or compliance is voluntary. On the other hand, coercion and force are applied for compliance in disordered societies where policing is more than normal. Many African societies fall into this category of social organization which makes governance very difficult and ends up leading to weak social structures and ultimately weak governments. The resultant implications include social-political insecurity, crime, social injustice, proliferation of arms and armed groups and many social ills that can easily overwhelm the state. To solve this problem, different ideas, principles and philosophies must be employed to help the people and their governments articulate themselves and live to meet their life goals.