Ethnic Power Dominance in a Resource-Rich Sub Saharan African State: An Analysis of Violent Conflict Accelerators and the Mitigating Influence of Civil Society in Nigeria

My dissertation research explores the impacts of ethno-regional power dominance, trust, and violent conflict in a resources-rich multiethnic, sub-Saharan African state. This dissertation examines the impact that ethnic power dominance has on the relationship between conflict and civil society in a resource rich sub-Saharan African (SSA) nation examined. Relying upon intra-state case study analysis of the socio-political climate in Nigeria, I argue that distrust in the national government, when motivated by ethno-regional cleavages has an accelerating influence on the incidence of conflict. Using cross-national survey data in conjunction with field interview data, this research finds that in the regions where socio-political trust is low, and civil society is weak, there is a higher incidence of violence and tensions. However, in the regions where civil society is active and salient, the incidence of violence is comparatively lower. The overarching conclusion of this study is that despite the presence of ethnic power dominance in a resource rich state, high levels of socio-political trust and an active civil society have a mitigating influence on the incidence of civil conflict, tensions, and violence