EXPLORING THE ROLE OF NONVIOLENT MOVEMENTS IN DEMANDING SOCIAL CHANGE AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
Olaoluwa Babatunde A. Oyinloye, PhD and Olubusola O. Solomon
Volume 9 Issue 2
Abstract
The study explores the role of nonviolent movements in demanding social change and government accountability. It sets out with a brief statement on nonviolent movements, concepts and history till date, as well as the views of some notable and influential advocates of nonviolent movement, namely, Henry David Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Next, it examines the aims and methods of nonviolent movements, outlining its impacts, achievements and successes. It then explores the role of nonviolent movement in demanding social change and accountability with reference to the Nigerian context. The paper concludes that nonviolent movement in Nigeria has increased societal change, development, and Government accountability. This study combines a case study qualitative research design and documentary research design. The study is based on literary research conducted via electronic documents and field research conducted in Lagos state, Nigeria, during which in-depth interviews were conducted using open-ended questions. This study contributed to the growing research on nonviolent movements and social change. The study established the need for a more organised nonviolent movement. Keywords: Nonviolent movement, Social change, Government Accountability
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