The Contractual Foundation of Justice and Democracy as an Imperative for Social Development in Africa

Authors

  • Francis Offor

Abstract

In this paper, an attempt is made not only to establish the inextricable link between the social contract and the notion of justice, but also to emphasize their importance to democracy and as a means of achieving the  goals of development in Africa. In examining the relationship between social contract and justice, the paper asserts that our every day dealing with others at various layers of existence is underpinned by the notion of a contract, whether explicit or implicit and that such dealings are meant primarily to facilitate some measure of justice and to foster development in human society. While accepting democracy as the best means for achieving the goals of development, the paper concludes that the reason most African states have not made giant developmental strides, despite their practice of democracy, is because their leaders are yet to accept democracy as a form of contract that carries with it, serious implications bordering on the question of justice.

Author Biography

Francis Offor

University of Ibadan, Nigeria

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Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2011): January - June 2011

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Articles

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