Nnoli Definition Of Politics Here

When a president appoints ministers, they are not just filling jobs; they are (power and wealth) to specific ethnic or regional groups. When a budget is passed, it allocates value (development) to some areas over others.

If you have ever taken a political science course at a university in Africa, you have likely encountered this quote attributed to , a renowned Nigerian political scientist. He famously argued that politics is about: “The struggle for the authoritative allocation of values in a society.” At first glance, this sounds like academic jargon. But once you break it down, it changes how you see everything—from family arguments to national resource distribution.

Let’s unpack the three key pillars of this definition. The first key word is struggle . Nnoli does not say "cooperation" or "discussion." He says struggle . nnoli definition of politics

It is the human struggle to answer the oldest question of all: Okwudiba Nnoli (1938–2021) was a pioneering political scientist whose work on ethnicity and social science methodology remains foundational in African universities.

Because

This acknowledges a fundamental truth: Resources, power, and respect are scarce. Not everyone can get what they want. Because people have different interests (based on class, ethnicity, religion, or geography), there will always be tension.

When most people hear the word "politics," they think of parliaments, presidents, elections, and political parties. We imagine debates on the floor of the Senate or campaign rallies in stadiums. When a president appoints ministers, they are not

Politics is not just what happens in the Presidential Villa or the White House. It is the argument at the dinner table, the fight for the corner office, and the protest in the street.