Strategic Studies. Outline the Evolution Essay

Nigeria has defined its policy by a 'concentric circle' model. The core is "the economic viability and full mobilization of the resources of the country [of Nigeria], in which the internal security forms the foundation for a realistic diplomacy" (Agreen 2010).When the core is taken care of, then Nigeria can take into consideration the economic viability of its people. "The second circle takes into consideration the strategic interest of the states in the West African sub-region. The third circle involves Nigeria's foreign policy involvement in the African continent" (Agreen 2010). However, one of the problems with such an approach is that it can be difficult to create a coherent national policy when Nigeria's personal interests clash with those of another African state's or when two states have competing interests and Nigeria must 'take sides.'

Q3. A failed state in Africa

The term 'failed state' is not a generic one, but a phrase specifically applied to states that meet certain criteria. According to the BBC, these include "mounting demographic pressures; massive movement of refugees and internally displaced peoples; legacy of vengeance - seeking group grievance; chronic and sustained human flight; uneven economic development along group lines; sharp and/or severe economic decline; criminalization and delegitimisation of the state; progressive deterioration of public services; widespread violation of human rights security apparatus as 'state within a state;' rise of factionalized elites; [and] intervention of other states or external actors" ("Sudan tops failed states index," 2006, BBC). The term 'failed state' is controversial because the majority of the nations currently labeled as failed states are in Africa. This calls into question the objective use of the term, although it should be noted that there are many African nations not deemed failed states

References

Agreen, John. "The problematic of redefining Nigeria's national interest in the context of global diplomacy." Point Blank News. 2010.

[May 12, 2011] http://www.pointblanknews.com/Articles/artopn2675.html

Burns, Alex. "The evolution of strategic culture in counterterrorism studies." 2010. [May 12,

2011] http://www.alexburns.net/Files/MonashPhDProposal.pdf

"Sudan tops failed states index." BBC News. 2006. [May 12, 2011]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4964444.stm