The Nigerian Schoolgirl Kidnappings

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Recommended: Neoliberalism and keynesianism

1)

Both neoliberalism and neorealism regard the third image – the international anarchic system - as the decisive factor for actions that states undertake. This system is influenced by the self-help, which all states have to engage in to secure their own survival. Keeping this important foundation of both theories in mind they will now be applied to the case of the abducted girls in Nigeria who were taken by Boko Haram in April 2014.

Firstly, let me analyze the point of view a neorealist could have on this topic. Since the neorealist theory attributes only a little influence from human nature, its whole analysis of conflicts revolves around the state actors. Taking into account that the anarchic international system is the force that pushes states to want power, its point of view is that there is little relevance for the US to intervene in Nigeria and fight the non-state actor Boko Haram. However, when having a detailed look at the circumstances one can see the neorealist policy being applied. Using power as means to secure resources is essential for this policy. Being dependent has a major negative impact for any world power. The US as well as the EU are eager to increase their independence. To support the Nigerian government means that friendly relations are held up, thus keeping the market open for the western investors and securing the extraction of resources from this country. This in fact means that the West becomes less dependent on oil from the Middle East, as Nigeria is the largest producer of oil in Africa (US Energy Information Administration, 2013). The neorealist reasoning for supporting Nigeria is thus rather the cost benefit analysis regarding the long-term interests the West has in Nigeria, than the concern for t...

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...minga, M. T. (2013). International Law. In J. Hage, & B. Akkermans, Introduction to Law (pp. 349-360). Maastricht: Maastricht University Faculty of Law.

Ofiaja, A. (2014, May 13). To Understand Boko Haram, The West Must Look More Closely At Itself Than At Nigeria . Policy Mic.

Okeke, T., Anyaehie, U., & Ezenyeaku, C. (2012, Januar). An Overview of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 70-73. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3507121/?report=reader

US Energy Information Administration. (2013, May 30). Retrieved May 25, 2014, from http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=ni

VOA News. (2014, May 17). In Paris, Calls for Unified Strike on Boko Haram . Voice of America. Retrieved from http://www.voanews.com/content/paris-summit-to-discuss-boko-haram-security-threat/1916584.html

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