The essence of this thesis is to explore the role of Nigeria, West Africa's hegemon, in the intervention efforts by the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) through its Cease-fire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in both Liberia (1990-1997) and Sierra Leone (1993-2000). While the thesis has sought to understand the leading role played by Nigeria in first establishing the ECOWAS and being the primus motor for its functions, I have also attempted to analyse the rationalities for the transformation of ECOWAS from a purely economic integrative scheme to a security organisation. While the economic agendas for ECOWAS have not changed, the argument in this thesis is that security related issues and realities have taken precedence over the original economistic agendas. One of the thesis' major arguments is that the nature of results attained in both Liberia and Sierra Leone are different because of (a) the leadership role of Nigeria and (b) the nature of international responses and contributions to the resolution of these conflicts. In the thesis, I argue that in the Liberian case, Nigeria took a more domineering leadership role albeit tinged with the characteristics of the actions of a benevolent hegemon. Here, Nigeria through different processes either through leadership, consensus-seeking processes and dialogue managed to get other ECOWAS states to coalesce around its leadership. However, in Sierra Leone, Nigeria's leadership role was not permitted to unfold. The resultant effect was the shift from NIFAG to ECOMOG and eventually "rekindling hatred" of these troops as UN troops. This thesis has pointed to the utility of sub-regional organisations in resolving conflicts and demonstrates the need for further study. / Political Science / DLITT ET PHIL (INT POL)

The thesis examines the comprehensive relationship between all aspects of financial liberalisation and economic growth in three countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Employing ARDL bounds test approach and real GDP per capita as growth indicator; the thesis finds support in favour of the McKinnon-Shaw hypothesis but also finds that the increases in the subsequent savings and investments have not been transmitted into economic growth in two of the studied countries. Moreover, the thesis also finds that stock market developments have negligible or negative impact on economic growth in two of the selected countries. The thesis concludes that in most cases, it is not financial liberalisation polices that affect economic growth in the selected ECOWAS countries, but rather increase in the productivity of labour, increase in the credit to the private sector, increase in foreign direct investments, increase in the capital stock and increase in government expenditure contrary to expectations. Interestingly, the thesis also finds that export has only negative effect on economic growth in all the selected ECOWAS countries. The thesis therefore, recommends that long-term export diversification programmes be implemented in the ECOWAS regions whilst further investigation is carried on the issue. / Economic Sciences / D. Litt et Phil. (Economics)

The study utilizes regional integration theories like neo-functionalism, intergovernmentalism and new regionalism to analyse the formation, structure and transformation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It examines the role of ECOWAS as a sub-regional economic body and its transformation to a political and security body dealing with sub-regional conflict resolution. Though neo-functionalism is generally analysed in reference to European regional integration, the study attempts to draw some lessons from this theory. Also, new regionalism theory is utilized to examine the transformation of ECOWAS from a mere economic body to a security and political entity. Regionalism in West Africa was initially geared towards mere economic cooperation; however, the emergence of ECOWAS on the scene and its subsequent transformation witnessed several changes towards the path of security cooperation. Despite its involvement with the gigantic political and security related activities, a general evaluation of economic integration in West Africa depicts a low level of progress. The poor state of sub-regional economic integration shows that ECOWAS did not complete its regional economic integration agenda before diverting to other sectors of integration. ECOWAS peacekeeping operations have been the dominant topic in sub-regional conflict resolution in West Africa. However, other forms of conflict resolution, including mediation, negotiation, conciliation and arbitration have been severally utilized. Also, in some of the cases, peacekeeping operations have been deployed only after other peaceful efforts have failed. ECOWAS peacekeeping operations are divergent operations with different forms and mandates. Therefore, they are better analysed under the framework of peacekeeping, peace-enforcement and peace-making theories. ECOWAS peacekeeping operations have been a subject of debate by proponents of the principle of non-interference and those of the responsibility to protect. The expediency of military intervention for humanitarian reasons as well as the prevention of genocide, war crimes and catastrophic loss of lives has questioned the principle of non-interference and validated the principle of responsibility to protect. / Political Sciences / D. Litt. et Phil. (International Politics)

L’étude des processus physiques d’un système d’upwelling est essentielle pour comprendre sa variabilité actuelle et ses changements passés et futurs. Cette thèse présente une étude interdisciplinaire du système d’upwelling côtier à partir de différentes données acquises par satellite, l’accent étant mis principalement sur le système d’upwelling d’Afrique du Nord-Ouest (NWA). Cette étude interdisciplinaire aborde (1) le problème de l’identification et de l’extraction automatiques du phénomène d’upwelling à partir d’observations satellitaires biologiques et physiques. (2) Une étude statistique de la variation spatio-temporelle de l’upwelling de la NWA tout au long de son extension et de ses différents indices d’upwelling. (3) Une étude des relations non linéaires entre le mélange de surface et l’activité biologique dans les régions d’upwelling. (4) études lagrangiennes de tourbillons cohérents; leurs propriétés physiques et identification automatique. (5) L’étude des transports effectués par les tourbillons lagrangiens de la NWA Upwelling et leur impact sur l’océan. / Studying physical processes of an upwelling system is essential to understand its present variability and its past and future changes. This thesis presents an interdisciplinary study of the coastal upwelling system from different satellite acquired data, with the main focus placed on the North West African (NWA) upwelling system. This interdisciplinary study covers (1) the problem of the automatic identification and extraction of the upwelling phenomenon from biological and physical satellite observations. (2) A statistical study of the spatio-temporal variation of the NWA upwelling throughout its extension and different upwelling indices. (3) A Study of the nonlinear relationships between the surface mixing and biological activity in the upwelling regions. (4) Lagrangian studies of coherent eddies; their physical properties and automatic identification. (5) The study of transport made by Lagrangian eddies off the NWA Upwelling and their impact on the open ocean. [...]

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Theatre, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [1], iv, 57 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 56-57).

The essence of this thesis is to explore the role of Nigeria, West Africa's hegemon, in the intervention efforts by the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) through its Cease-fire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in both Liberia (1990-1997) and Sierra Leone (1993-2000). While the thesis has sought to understand the leading role played by Nigeria in first establishing the ECOWAS and being the primus motor for its functions, I have also attempted to analyse the rationalities for the transformation of ECOWAS from a purely economic integrative scheme to a security organisation. While the economic agendas for ECOWAS have not changed, the argument in this thesis is that security related issues and realities have taken precedence over the original economistic agendas. One of the thesis' major arguments is that the nature of results attained in both Liberia and Sierra Leone are different because of (a) the leadership role of Nigeria and (b) the nature of international responses and contributions to the resolution of these conflicts. In the thesis, I argue that in the Liberian case, Nigeria took a more domineering leadership role albeit tinged with the characteristics of the actions of a benevolent hegemon. Here, Nigeria through different processes either through leadership, consensus-seeking processes and dialogue managed to get other ECOWAS states to coalesce around its leadership. However, in Sierra Leone, Nigeria's leadership role was not permitted to unfold. The resultant effect was the shift from NIFAG to ECOMOG and eventually "rekindling hatred" of these troops as UN troops. This thesis has pointed to the utility of sub-regional organisations in resolving conflicts and demonstrates the need for further study. / Political Science / DLITT ET PHIL (INT POL)

The study utilizes regional integration theories like neo-functionalism, intergovernmentalism and new regionalism to analyse the formation, structure and transformation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It examines the role of ECOWAS as a sub-regional economic body and its transformation to a political and security body dealing with sub-regional conflict resolution. Though neo-functionalism is generally analysed in reference to European regional integration, the study attempts to draw some lessons from this theory. Also, new regionalism theory is utilized to examine the transformation of ECOWAS from a mere economic body to a security and political entity. Regionalism in West Africa was initially geared towards mere economic cooperation; however, the emergence of ECOWAS on the scene and its subsequent transformation witnessed several changes towards the path of security cooperation. Despite its involvement with the gigantic political and security related activities, a general evaluation of economic integration in West Africa depicts a low level of progress. The poor state of sub-regional economic integration shows that ECOWAS did not complete its regional economic integration agenda before diverting to other sectors of integration. ECOWAS peacekeeping operations have been the dominant topic in sub-regional conflict resolution in West Africa. However, other forms of conflict resolution, including mediation, negotiation, conciliation and arbitration have been severally utilized. Also, in some of the cases, peacekeeping operations have been deployed only after other peaceful efforts have failed. ECOWAS peacekeeping operations are divergent operations with different forms and mandates. Therefore, they are better analysed under the framework of peacekeeping, peace-enforcement and peace-making theories. ECOWAS peacekeeping operations have been a subject of debate by proponents of the principle of non-interference and those of the responsibility to protect. The expediency of military intervention for humanitarian reasons as well as the prevention of genocide, war crimes and catastrophic loss of lives has questioned the principle of non-interference and validated the principle of responsibility to protect. / Political Sciences / D. Litt. et Phil. (International Politics)

The thesis examines the comprehensive relationship between all aspects of financial liberalisation and economic growth in three countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Employing ARDL bounds test approach and real GDP per capita as growth indicator; the thesis finds support in favour of the McKinnon-Shaw hypothesis but also finds that the increases in the subsequent savings and investments have not been transmitted into economic growth in two of the studied countries. Moreover, the thesis also finds that stock market developments have negligible or negative impact on economic growth in two of the selected countries. The thesis concludes that in most cases, it is not financial liberalisation polices that affect economic growth in the selected ECOWAS countries, but rather increase in the productivity of labour, increase in the credit to the private sector, increase in foreign direct investments, increase in the capital stock and increase in government expenditure contrary to expectations. Interestingly, the thesis also finds that export has only negative effect on economic growth in all the selected ECOWAS countries. The thesis therefore, recommends that long-term export diversification programmes be implemented in the ECOWAS regions whilst further investigation is carried on the issue. / Economics / D. Litt et Phil. (Economics)

[pt] Esta tese utiliza como fio condutor a história da extração, comércio e circulação de pérolas no mundo atlântico. Interessa-se pelo trabalho e ação política de atores singulares pertencentes a diversas populações indígenas, africanas e europeias involucradas na exploração de pérolas americanas impulsionadas no sul do Caribe pela monarquia hispânica. Em particular, analisa como, em meio às transformações globais do uso da cultura material e sua indissociável relação com a história do trabalho e dos trabalhadores durante os séculos XVI e XVII, os saberes e a ação política dos povos indígenas e africanos contribuíram para moldar a exploração desta joia marinha. A tese está dividida em duas partes, com três capítulos cada uma. As partes foram denominadas como: (I) A cultura política e (II) O trabalho e os trabalhadores. A primeira parte utiliza trajetórias de mulheres indígenas como Isabel e Orocomay; funcionários ibéricos como Juan López de Archuleta; africanos e afro-portugueses como Rodrigo e Domingo, para evidenciar a ação política e as formas como esses atores e seus povos foram fundamentais para delinear a crescente geografia atlântica da extração, circulação, comércio e fluxos de trabalhadores que o negócio perlífero conectou. A segunda parte centra sua atenção no trabalho e nos trabalhadores das pescas de pérolas, primeiro na ilha de Cubagua e Rio Hacha, depois na ilha de Margarita e Cumana, analisando a coexistência de diferentes regimes laborais e sistemas de trabalho, assim como os lugares de procedência desses trabalhadores no Caribe, no Pacífico e na Costa Ocidental africana. Essa segunda parte pensa também as transformações políticas e sociais, assim como as conexões e os intercâmbios culturais entre a Península Ibérica, o sul do Caribe e a Costa Ocidental africana. Neste marco transcultural e de conexões globais, este trabalho estabelece um diálogo transversal com: (i) a história global dos impérios ibéricos, (ii) a história global do trabalho, (iii) a historiografia das pescas de pérolas do Novo Mundo e, finalmente, (iv) a historiografia das populações indígenas e africanas. Desta forma, entende-se as experiências de indígenas, africanos e europeus no atlântico das pérolas como uma janela analítica para compreender as complexidades e os matizes das formas de relação intercultural que caracterizaram não somente esta região, mas também o nascente mundo moderno. Esta tese propõe uma nova interpretação do papel de indígenas e africanos durante os séculos XVI e XVII no atlântico conectado pelas pérolas, mostrando como em meio a cenários complexos marcados pela violência, esses atores com suas agendas políticas próprias e seus conhecimentos da navegação e o mar, assim como suas lutas pela liberdade, limitaram, potenciaram e transformaram o desenvolvimento das pescas de pérolas. / [en] This thesis uses the history of the extraction, trade and circulation of pearls in the Atlantic world as a guiding thread. It is interested in the work and political action of singular actors belonging to diverse indigenous, African and European populations involved in the exploitation of American pearls promoted in the southern Caribbean by the Hispanic Monarchy. In particular, it analyzes how, in the midst of global changes in the uses of material culture and its inseparable relationship with the history of labor and workers during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the knowledge and political action of indigenous and African peoples contributed to shape the exploitation of this marine jewel. The thesis has been divided into two parts, with three chapters each. These parts have been named: (I) Politics and (II) Labor and workers. The first part uses the trajectories of indigenous women such as Isabel and Orocomay; Iberian officials such as Juan López de Archuleta; Africans and Afro-Portuguese such as Rodrigo and Domingo, to evidence the political action and the ways in which these actors and their peoples were instrumental in delineating the growing Atlantic geography of extraction, circulation, trade and labor flows that the pearling business connected. The second part focuses on the work and workers in the pearl fisheries, first in Cubagua Island and Río Hacha, then in Margarita Island and Cumana, analyzing the coexistence of different labor regimes and the changes in the forms of coercion, recruitment mechanisms and work systems, as well as the places of origin of these workers in the Caribbean, the Pacific and the West African Coast. This second part also considers the political and social transformations, as well as the connections and cultural exchanges between the Iberian Peninsula, the southern Caribbean and the West African coast. In this transcultural and global framework of connections, this work establishes a transversal dialogue with: (i) the global history of the Iberian empires, (ii) the global history of labor, (iii) the historiography of the pearl fisheries of the New World and, finally, (iv) the historiography of the indigenous and African populations. In this way, the experiences of Indians, Africans and Europeans in the pearl Atlantic are understood as an analytical window to understand the complexities and nuances of the forms of intercultural relations that characterized not only this region, but also the nascent modern world. This thesis proposes a new interpretation of the role of indigenous people and Africans during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in the pearl-connected Atlantic, showing how in the midst of complex scenarios marked by violence these actors with their own political agendas and their knowledge of navigation and the sea, as well as their struggles for freedom, limited, enhanced and transformed the development of pearl fisheries. / [es] Esta tesis utiliza como hilo conductor la historia de la extracción, el comercio y la circulación de perlas en el mundo atlántico. Se interesa por el trabajo y la acción política de actores singulares pertenecientes a diversas poblaciones indígenas, africanas y europeas involucradas en la explotación de las perlas americanas impulsadas en el sur del Caribe por la monarquía hispánica. En particular, analiza cómo, en medio de los cambios globales de los usos de la cultura material y su indisociable relación con la historia del trabajo y los trabajadores durante los siglos XVI y XVII, los saberes y la acción política de los pueblos indígenas y africanos contribuyeron a moldear la explotación de esta joya marina. La tesis ha sido divida en dos partes, con tres capítulos cada una. Se han denominado a estas partes como: (I) La cultura política y (II) El trabajo y los trabajadores. La primera parte utiliza las trayectorias de mujeres indígenas como Isabel y Orocomay; funcionarios ibéricos como Juan López de Archuleta; africanos y afroportugueses como Rodrigo y Domingo, para evidenciar la acción política y las formas como estos actores y sus pueblos fueron fundamentales para delinear la creciente geografía atlántica de la extracción, circulación, comercio y flujos de trabajadores que el negocio perlífero conectó. La segunda parte centra su atención en el trabajo y los trabajadores de las pesquerías de perlas, primero en la isla de Cubagua y Río Hacha, después en la isla de Margarita y Cumana, analizando la coexistencia de diferentes regímenes laborales y los cambios en las formas de coerción, los mecanismos de reclutamiento y los sistemas de trabajo, así como los lugares de procedencia de estos trabajadores en el Caribe, el Pacífico y la Costa Occidental africana. Esta segunda parte piensa también las transformaciones políticas y sociales, así como las conexiones y los intercambios culturales entre la península ibérica, el sur del Caribe y la Costa Occidental africana. En este marco transcultural y global de conexiones, este trabajo establece un diálogo transversal con: (i) la historia global de los imperios ibéricos, (ii) la historia global del trabajo, (iii) la historiografía de las pesquerías de perlas del Nuevo Mundo y, finalmente, (iv) la historiografía de las poblaciones indígenas y africanas. De esta forma, se entienden las experiencias de indígenas, africanos y europeos en el Atlántico de las perlas como una ventana analítica para entender las complejidades y los matices de las formas de relación intercultural que caracterizaron no solo esta región, sino también al naciente mundo moderno. Esta tesis propone una nueva interpretación del papel de indígenas y africanos durante los siglos XVI y XVII en el Atlántico conectado por las perlas, mostrando cómo en medio de escenarios complejos marcados por la violencia, estos actores con sus agendas políticas propias y sus conocimientos para la navegación y el mar, así como sus luchas por la libertad, limitaron, potenciaron y transformaron el desarrollo de las pesquerías de perlas.

No description available.