Abstract: Nation and state building in the world took different forms. Some were annexed by the military, whereas others came together to form a state in a unitary system like in Canada. With the abolition or diminishing of tribes in Europe, the Europeans countries have acculturated into a western pattern of the Society; though there is still ethnic polarization in the western world on a peripheral level. Canada, USA, German, France, Italy, Britain, and Scandanavians countries had waged civil wars before the States’ formation. One of the main reasons for political stability in these western countries is because they have formed a strong institution of government, democracy, good governance and the rule of law. According to (Cooter (2012) the foundation of the nation-state requires the rule of law and good governance and accountability. He used a metaphor of the termites on the foundation to refer to most of the African Countries that are ruled by dictators and lack a proper foundation a view concurred by Fukuyama (1998). Most African countries nation and state formation were based on the tribal affiliation, and the politics of ethnic identity, patronage, corruption, nepotism, patrimonial and political polarization. How can the national inculcate the spirit of nationalism and patriotism, if most the presidents are promoting tribalism and nepotism in the country?
Keywords: Nation and state building, ethnic identity, patronage, corruption, nepotism, patrimonial, political polarization.
Title: Nation and State Building in Africa and the termites in the foundation
Author: Louis M Nyarsuk, Dr. S. Thanigaivelan
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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