Of Politics - Nnoli Definition

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.

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. nnoli definition of politics

But in advanced political science—particularly within African political scholarship—there is a much sharper, more revealing definition. You may have heard it referred to as the . It is the human struggle to answer the

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. But once you break it down, it changes