Globalization and terrorism: a case study of Boko Haram in Nigeria

Abstract

The accelerating growth of globalization has been attributed as the cause of change in warfare. Despite being regarded as a very significant development in the world, the integration of more economies has led to the decline of state monopoly of war and the rise in different non state actors. The impact of globalization according to anti-globalist is the cause of major problems of our time ranging from environmental degradation, loss of identity, intrastate war and terrorism. Terrorism is considered a growing fundamental concern to both national and international security. Although terrorism is not considered a new war, the method used by contemporary terrorist has been aided by the advancement of technology. Furthermore, it has been argued that weak/failing states are a breeding ground for terrorist organizations. The phenomenon “weak state” according to Newman (2007) “refers to a situation where central government has a poor capacity to control public order within its territory, is unable to consistently control its borders, cannot reliably maintain viable public institutions or services, and is vulnerable to extra-constitutional domestic challenges” (Newman, 2007:465). Most of these weak/failing states are found in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. This study is a case study of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Although Nigeria is not yet a failing state, it currently houses one of the deadliest terrorist group in the world. For years, Nigerian government and its security agencies have been combating the rise of the Islamic militant sect, Boko Haram. The sect which started as a small social group fighting for the poor and the oppressed in the society has grown into a menace that graces the headlines of both local and international news.