| Description: |
This paper is an exposition on the relevance and application of Rousseau’s social contracttheory in the context of peace-building in Nigeria. The aim of the paper was to contribute tothe ongoing efforts at enthroning lasting peace in Nigeria, in the light of Rousseau’s socialcontact theory. Content and conceptual analysis was adopted as a method, while secondarysources were used for data collection. The study was a qualitative one. The paper discussedthe concept of peace education, peace-building, Rousseau’s social contract theory, andrelevance of the theory in the context of peace-building in Nigeria. These were criticallyarticulated. Sundry evidence from literature shows that peace education and peace-buildingare indispensable for sustainable development in Nigeria. The paper postulated thatRousseau’s ideas such as mutuality, communal justice and collective security have positivelycontributed to the shaping of sustainable peace through peace-building. Observations arethat in Nigerian context, lack of teamwork in the spirit of mutuality, lack of social justice,flagrant neglect of collective security, selfishness among the leaders, foreign interventions,ethnic and religious bigotry among others, are some of the factors that affect peace-buildingadversely. It was, therefore, concluded that Rousseau’s social contract theory, whichemphasizes teamwork, social justice, mutual agreement and collective interest, is relevant tothe Nigerian peace-building process, and so its application will boost the effort. Based on theconclusion, the paper recommended, among others, that Rousseau’s social contract theorybe adopted and applied to the process of peace-building in Nigeria, and that the spirit ofmutuality should be entrenched in peace-building by peace builders, and that social justiceshould be practiced for an effective and sustainable peace-building to thrive |