Xenophobic Violence in South Africa: Economic Implications for South Africa-Nigeria Relations in 21st Century
Chapter One
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this study is to assess the economic implication of Xenophobic violence on Nigeria-South Africa economic relations.
The specific objectives of this study are:
- To access the relationship between Xenophobic violence with countries’ economic relation.
- To analyse the impact of xenophobic violence on countries’ economic relationship.
- To discover the effectiveness of the corrective measures taken to control xenophobic violence between South-Africa and Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theoretical Framework
Rational Choice theory
Rational choice theory, also known as choice theory or rational action theory, is a framework for understanding and often formally modeling social and economic behaviour.
According to the Rational Choice theory, the rivalry between foreign migrants and locals for scarce resources leads to xenophobia (Wimmer, 1997). Xenophobia, not only in South Africa but also in other countries, is commonly justified on the grounds of economic necessity. According to Steinberg (2008), the economy is conceptualized as a finite lump: the assumption then is that access to resources is a zero-sum game and this breeds conflict. Relating this to foreigners, Steinberg (2008) explains that successful foreigners are perceived to prosper by benefiting unrightfully from national resources that belong to South Africans. Consequently, seeing foreigners prosper without any assistance from the state “upsets one’s conception of one’s own relation to the state and what one’s sentiments are” (Steinberg, 2008). South Africans perceive foreigners as “competing with them for jobs, housing and other resources to which they themselves feel entitled to” (Dodson, 2010). This is played out against a background of poverty, high unemployment and high income inequality between the rich and the poor. Fears of perceived foreign domination in the job market create conflict and make people feel that labor immigration should be limited and that the government is not doing enough to reduce the number of foreign migrants. The perceived competition for economic opportunities is associated with unskilled and casual jobs in the domestic sphere, on farms, construction sites, in the hospitality and informal sectors. It is believed that migrants undercut citizens in these sectors where they are willing to work for less pay and for longer hours. In so doing, they also encourage employers to get away with unfair labor practices. Rational choice theory is widely accepted as an explanation for xenophobia in South Africa both at the individual and collective levels. This is supported by the results of a 2009 survey conducted by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (2009). The survey, which investigated satisfaction and quality of life among 6,636 Gauteng residents and those of selected areas in neighboring provinces, uncovered xenophobic attitudes that cut across race, class and sex. A total of 69% of the respondents were in agreement that foreigners are taking benefits that are meant for South Africans. However, the relationship between xenophobia and a drop in wages or rising unemployment – both economic indicators of intensive competition in the labor market has not been scientifically tested in South Africa. Therefore, rational choice theory is not based on indicators of intensive competition in the economy but on perceptions of illegitimate competition, which has led to resentment of Nigerians and other migrants. While the rational choice theory has laid into explaining the hostile treatment unleashed by South Africans towards non-nationals and the purported institutionalized xenophobia in South Africa, it does not yet explain the conditions which gave rise to the negative perception of migrants given that other countries welcome migrants into their societies because of the positive contributions they make to the economy.
Realistic Group Conflict Theory The realistic group conflict theory emerged in the 1960’s out of an era when a more individual-level approach, authoritarian personality theory was dominant (Adorno et ai, 1950). It carries the classic insight of social psychology, that it is the structure of the situation, not personal characteristics of the individual (or an aggregate of individuals) that determines human behavior (Sherif, 1966). According to the theory, inter-group conflict is caused by an incompatibility of goals regarding material resources. It is the struggle over such structural resources as land, oil, gold, and labour that is the source of inter-group conflict, notpersonal characteristics like a pr~judiced personality.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
This section covers the methods used to address the objectives of the study. The section discusses the research design, research population and sampling technique, the instrument for data collection, the method of data analysis and the analytical software used for the study.
Research Design
In this study, a survey research design is adopted. Survey is chosen based on the objective of the study. Survey is defined according to Nworgu (2005) as studies that samples individual units from an already known population and its associated survey data collection techniques, such as questionnaire construction and methods for improving the number and accuracy of responses to survey.
Population of the Study
The population of this study comprises of 3000 people from the general public in Nigeria.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
DATA PRESENTATION
Research Questions 1
What is the relationship between Xenophobic violence with countries’ economic relation?
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
This chapter presents the summary of this research work, conclusion and recommendations. They are presented under the following sub-headings:
Summary of the study
Recommendations
Conclusion
Suggestions for further research
Summary of the Study
This research was conducted in order to assess the xenophobic violence in south africa: economic implications for south africa-nigeria relations in 21st century. In order to carryout this study, three specified research objectives were drawn from which three research hypotheses were formulated and used for the study. The objectives were as follows:-
To access the relationship between Xenophobic violence with countries’ economic relation.
To analyse the impact of xenophobic violence on countries’ economic relationship.
To discover the effectiveness of the corrective measures taken to control xenophobic violence between South-Africa and Nigeria.
The review of literature was done using the variables of the research objectives. This was accomplished by employing past research works, academic journals and textbooks. quasy-descriptive survey design research was adopted in the study due to the nature of the research. A sample size of 200 respondents was randomly selected using simple random sampling technique. The data collected from them was subjected to statistical analysis and the results of the analysis were all significant at 0.05 level. The findings were all discussed for agreement or disagreement with the findings of the past researcher.
Conclusion:-
Nigeria-South Africa relation has been a potpourri of cooperation and conflict. Xenophobia, though a worldwide phenomenon continues to plague African countries with development, economic hardships and immigration issues. The alienation of foreign nationals especially black immigrant in South Africa had successfully created a thick line of partition between the “we” and the “them” in South Africa, undermining the ethos of black brotherhood rooted in Africa socialism and communalism. This partition might be with us for long unless urgent steps are taken to address the trigging factors that led to these attacks. Recurring conflicts affect bi-lateral relations; this makes it imperative to create effective conflict management mechanism to respond to it.
Recommendations
It therefore recommends the strengthening of regional and sub-regional organizations like the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) respectively to ensure the total dismantling of all the apartheid structures that still manifest in form of regional ambitions and economic imperialism. This will facilitate the rapid disintegration of the economies of the smaller Southern African countries from the dominant South African economy and ensure equitable trade balances between the neighbouring countries. Again, the government of South Africa must intensify efforts to empower the black population in the post-apartheid South Africa in other to resolve the contradictions of apartheid and ensure a free society for all. Similarly, the white minority that hold the commanding heights of the post-apartheid South African economy must show the willingness to open the space for competition and inclusion.
In the particular case involving Nigeria-South Africa relations, both countries must strengthen the instrumentality of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission as a veritable platform to resolve diplomatic impasses speedily before they degenerate into avoidable row. In the same vein, Nigeria and South Africa must move above rhetoric and embrace their continental responsibility of Africa’s development and renaissance.
References
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