Posts Tagged ‘web2.0’

Legal Expense

legal expense

Former KB Home CEO sentenced to home detention
Former head of KB Home Bruce Karatz was sentenced to eight months home detention on Wednesday, much lower than what the government had requested in one of its highest profile prosecutions of illegal stock option backdating.

Legal Insurance Germany

legal insurance germany

DUI in Germany–transfer to VA?

DUI traffic stop by German police. Referral to Military Police. Non-judicial punishment and revocation of US Army Europe driver’s license. No legal action, defense, conviction, etc. Provost Marshal is supposed to inform Virginia. Almost 3 months ago. What, if anything, might Virginia do to the license, and how might insurance (USAA) respond. Please, no nongermane, anti-drunk-driving answers.

There are always two aspects to a dui: the criminal aspect handled through the courts, and the administrative aspect handled through the state’s licensing agency. You have remedies of due process for both, but in my opinion it gets a lot more complicated dealing with a transportation department.

The first thing you should probably do is go online and order a copy of your driving history through the DOT website. If nothing shows up there, and your license is inforce, you might be in the clear.

Since there was never a conviction in a court of law, I would think it might be difficult for them restrict your drivers license, because they have no way of ensuring your due process rights were preserved. Every state has a statute recogizing dui convictions from other states, and they will restrict your license accordingly. But even a traffic ticket must result in conviction before it can go against your license. Absent conviction, I would think you have a very strong argument that your license in VA can’t be suspended.

Litigation Services Definition

litigation services definition

Black is still looking for "fully justified" after 2 of 4 convictions convicted fraudster Conrad Black lifted continue to maintain innocence and has not given up looking for a "complete rehabilitation", despite a U.S. court ruling on Friday confirmed that two of his convictions overturned, but a serious number of obstruction of justice and provided with a further fraud.

Litigation Software Reviews

litigation software reviews

(NUBL) NuMobile Addresses Recent Analyst Report With ‘Speculative Buy’ and $0.13 Target PPS in 4th Quarter Preview …
FORT WORTH, TX–(Marketwire – 10/12/10) – NuMobile, Inc. (OTC.BB: NUBL – News ) has released an online presentation hosted by incoming CEO David Lee that is now available for on-demand review on the corporate website www.numobileinc.com . Webcast Hosted by Incoming CEO David Lee The Webcast provides corporate updates and addresses the recent analyst research report …

Litigation Help

litigation help

Hi, Im stuck please help, “Explain the issues facing businesses which need to resort to litigation in the UK?”?

Get a dictionay and look up all the hard words.

Legal Insurance Jobs Chicago

legal insurance jobs chicago

Calendar
Submissions for the Community Calendar are required 10 days preceding the date of publication. Send to: Pioneer Press, 3701 W. Lake Ave., Glenview IL 60026. Information may be faxed to (847) 486-7495 or e-mailed to mbottari@pioneerlocal.com.

Legal Insurance For Business

legal insurance for business
how do i start a dog walking business?

Hello i am leaving college soon and i really want to walk peoples dogs for a Living as its something i want to do. but im abit confused about the whole legal side.like how and what insurance do i need? Pet Business Insurance? and how much is it?..also what is an agreement between you and the dog owner and how do i do it??? will i need to pay tax? please can someone help me and if u r a dog walker how did u start???

Dogs are “in” these days. The pet industry is huge and only getting bigger and more lucrative. Dog walking is one aspect of this growing business. Here is how to get a start.

Step 1-Gather references for the dog walking service. You should have prior experience taking care of dogs before emBARKing on this venture. Ask the owners of the dogs you have taken care of for written recommendations and ask them if it is acceptable to them for you to provide their contact information to prospective clients.

Step 2-Get a billing system up and running. In the beginning you may think your billing method does not have to be structured or sophisticated, but you watch, business will build up and you will need to stay on top of clients and their payments. Excel and Quicken are two good programs to utilize. Quicken will help you (Quick Books) with taxes, workers comp, and other issues that may arise as your company grows.

Step 3-Seek legal advice. Many dog walkers perform their services under the table. While this is very lucrative and provides less of a paperwork hassle, it can be a bad choice. Walking dogs carries liabilities. You are responsible for the safety of an owner’s dog-you want to make sure your company, and not you, personally, are liable in the event of an accident. If you employ other walkers you must have worker’s comp. Ask your lawyer about the best way to go about setting up the business as legitimate.

Step 4-Get the right equipment. Dog owners will generally supply leashes and harnesses for their own pet, but you never know what will happen along the way. Always have extra leashes, harnesses, collars. Always have water and treats on hand for your dogs.

Step 5-Learn the streets. If you do not already know your territory, study a map of the streets on which you will be walking. You should not be distracted while you are walking the dogs-looking at a map can mean a misstep for you and/or Fido.

Step 6-Advertising is good, but word of mouth is the best. The pet community is very tight. Provide satisfied clients with your business card. Offer referral incentives to current clients (free dog walks, etc) to generate even more business.

Step 7-Dress appropriately. Dress in layers so that you can be prepared for any change in temperature or weather pattern.

Step 8-Lastly, hire help. The only real way to make money in any industry is to have people working FOR you. Hire reliable and honest workers who have experience with dog walking. Remember, you are only as good as your weakest employee. Be VERY discriminate when hiring. You are entrusting the lives of loved pets with these people.

Insurance Careers, Business Opportunities and More

Disability Insurance Disputes – Business Overhead

Business overhead insurance disputes can be crucial to the long-term success of a small business, partnership or professional practice. When a disability suit occurs, the business owner is hit hard with expenses, all the while losing valuable income from the halting of the business. Many businesses are forced into failure each year because they were denied valid business overhead insurance claims from their insurance companies. When a founder or key employee becomes totally or partially disabled, the business may be in jeopardy.

Business insurance is purchased to prevent major loss in the event something bad does happen, but will your insurance company live up to its end of the bargain, or will they deny your claim?
Business overhead insurance is a limited type of insurance that should pay benefits for a defined period of time (often up to two years). Without this assistance, it is unlikely that a disabled business owner can maintain expenses long enough to recover and get the business back on its feet. In a partnership, each partner may be covered under a separate policy, based on individual expenses.

When an insurance company denies a business overhead insurance claim, the insured’s lawyer must demonstrate to the court that the plaintiff is legally disabled under the terms of the contract and that expenses requested as an award were incurred during the time of disability. Your lawyer can help you interpret your policy and determine exactly what benefits you are entitled to. Depending on your unique policy, your elimination period, waiver of premium, choice of monthly benefit amount, choice of benefit periods and additional benefits should be reviewed and thoroughly explained. At David Share Associates, our disability overhead insurance lawyers are ready to fight to get you all the benefits you need and deserve to maintain a successful business.

There are time limits to all business disability insurance disputes and any delay in proceeding may be subject to a deadline. You should not delay in proceeding with your claim or obtaining legal advice to clarify these deadlines.H

Litigation What Is

litigation what is

What is the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice complaint or litigation?

two yrs

in TX it fall under Proposition 12 – Political correct name for – You are SOL.

BP is looking for "Limit release of backout 'details in court as BP girded for what promises to be a tsunami of litigation on the Deepwater Horizon, his daughter, Alaska continues to be in a great process of state to defend against the company filed last year.

Az Litigation Support

az litigation support
Daily Dose: 07.30.10
Nation >>Dozens of protestors arrested on first day of Arizona’s new immigration law Phoenix, AZ- On Thursday, July 29, dozens of protesters of Arizona’s newly-signed immigration law were arrested. Thursday marked the first day that Arizona enacted the law. Several opponents of the law pursued…
Mesa AZ Process Server – Decker Process Service

Great Job Agencies in the US

Are you searching for the perfect job? Here we provide a list of agencies around the country offering temporary staff jobs of all kinds. Just browse over the list and give the agency a call or a visit.

Employment agencies are known as companies, which match workers in certain open jobs. The temporary agency is different from the recruitment firm for it intends to place employees under permanent employment. However, there is usually a big overlap. The temporary employee may become a permanent employee. There are also cases wherein a worker is hired by a company as a permanent worker but may enter as a trial temporary employee.

Here is a list of agencies around the country, which offers temporary staff jobs of all kinds. Just browse over the list and give the agency a call or a visit:
A-Plus Staffing, Inc.
Temp-to-Hire, Temp, Contract placement and Direct Hire which include Finance/Accounting, Administrative, Healthcare, Call Center, Technical/IT, Legal and Light Industrial. Integrity is the company’s foundation by which they strive to create partnerships, which would help their clients as well as associates envision a great future full of unlimited possibilities regarding the employment services in which they would be the conduits in attaining that vision.

Address: 2911 Turner Road, Suite B-11, Richmond, Virginia (VA), 23224, US
Tel: +1 804 7143404

AAA Employment Agency, Inc.
Employment Legislation Consultancy
Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment Consultancy
Supervisor Recruitment Consultancy
Technical Information Services
Second Income Recruitment Agencies
Home Worker Recruitment Agencies
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 1501 Edgemore Avenue, Suite A, Salisbury, Maryland (MD), 21801, US
Tel: +410 546 5955
Fax: +410 548 5312

Account Ability LLC
Permanent, contract personnel or temporary for information technology and accounting positions are provided for best companies in the region.
Address: POB 1149, Grand Rapids, Michigan (MI), 49501, US
Tel: +800 286 2858
Fax: +616 257 8812

Active Staffing Services
Company Overview:
Contract Labor
Recruitment Agencies
Consultancy or Services
Secretarial Staff Recruitment
Technology Personnel Recruitment Agency
Promotional Staff Recruitment
Machine Operator Recruitment
Packaging Industry Staff Recruitment
Operator Recruitment
Receptionist Recruitment
Call Center Staff Recruitment
Temporary Staff Recruitment
Address: 41 West 33rd Street, New York, New York (NY), 10001, US
Tel: +212 244 6444
Fax: +212 244 1015

Advicepoint LLP
Legal Staff Recruitment Agencies
Executive Selection or Management Recruitment Agencies/Consultancy /Services
Promotional Models
Recruitment Consultancy
Personnel Recruitment Technical Staff Agencies/Consultancy /Services
Technology Personnel Recruitment Agency
Promotional Staff Recruitment
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 775 Commonwealth Avenue, POB 15263, Boston, Massachusetts (MA), 02215, US
Tel: +1617 719 5655

Availability, Inc.
Financial Staff Recruitment Agencies
Screening or Healthcare Services
Nursing Staff Recruitment Agencies
Office Staff Recruitment Agencies
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 235 East Center Drive, Suite A, Alton, Illinois (IL), 62002, US
Tel: +618 465 6449
Fax: +618 465 1231

Beaver Personnel Inc.
Contract Labor and Recruitment Agencies/Consultancy /Services
Plastic Industry Staff Recruitment
Recruitment Consultancy
Printing Industry Staff Recruitment
Consulting Engineering Recruitment Consultancy
Factory Production Worker Recruitment Agencies
Desktop Publishing Recruitment Consultancy
Project Manager Recruitment Consultancy
Supervisor Recruitment Consultancy
Personnel Recruitment or Technical Staff Agencies/Consultancy/Services
Packaging Industry Staff Recruitment
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies,
Address: 265 West 14th Street, Suite 1103, New York, New York (NY), 10011, US
Tel: +212 243 5540
Fax: +212 243 1266

Bryant & Company
Training
Professional Development Services
Project Management
Sales Training
Interactive Web Site Design
Web Site Hosting Software
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
CFR Executive Search
Recruitment Consultancy /Services/Agencies
Contract Labor
Accounting Personnel Recruitment Consultancy/Services/Agencies
Executive Search Consultancy
Recruitment Consultancy
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 175 West Jackson, Suite A645, Chicago, Illinois (IL), 60604, US
Tel: +312 435 0990

COMFORCE Staffing Services
Computer Software Development
Artists
Graphic Designers
Office Staff Recruitment Agencies
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Staff Leasing
Temporary Staff Payroll Services
Address: 40 East Midland Avenue, Paramus, New Jersey (NJ), 07652, US
Tel: +888 535 5533
Fax: +201 599 1947

Drake
Business Process Outsourcing
Electronic Commerce (eCommerce) and Internet Software
Business Process Management (BPM) Software
Information Technology (IT) or Computer Personnel Recruitment Consultancy/ Services/ Agencies
Electronic Commerce (eCommerce) or Internet Services
Project Management
Internet Training
Internet Based Software
Warning Signs
Interactive Presentation Products
Team Development Information Technology (IT) Staff Training Programming
Basic Courses
Writing
Internet Training
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies,
Address: 55 East Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California (CA), 91006, US
Tel: +626 445 8900

Elite Personnel, Inc.
Training
Recruitment Consultancy
Computer Training
Computer Software Training
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 3 Metro Center, Mezzanine Level, Bethesda, Maryland (MD), 20814, US
Tel: +301 951 3333
Fax: +301 907 9522

Exclusive Staffing of Virginia, Inc.
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Training
Corporate Image Project Management
Recruitment Consultancy
Address: 411 E. Franklin Street, Suite 501, Richmond, Virginia (VA), 23219, US
Tel: +804 644 1808
Fax: +804 643 5144

FORUM Personnel, Inc.
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Engineering Services
Office Services or Equipments
Accounting Personnel Recruitment Consultancy/Services/Agencies
Information Technology (IT) or Computer Personnel Recruitment Consultancy/Services/Agencies
Legal Staff Recruitment Agencies
Management Accounts Financial Services
Human Resources (HR) Consultancy
Human Resources (HR) Recruitment
Bookkeeping Consultancy
Address: 260 Madison Avenue Suite 200, New York, New York (NY), 10016, US
Tel: +212 687 7200

G.D. Barri & Associates, Inc.
Engineering Contracting
Contract Staff Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment Consultancy
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: POB 6509, Glendale, Arizona (AZ), 85312, US
Tel: +623 773 0410
Fax: +623 773 2924

Global Network Security Consultants, LLC
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Security Services
Internet Network Management Services
Internet Security Products
Human Resources (HR) Consultancy
Address: 67 Buck Road, Suite 106, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania (PA), 19006, US
Tel: +267 988 8692
Fax: +877 861 2588

Hobart West Group
Recruitment Business Advice
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Litigation Support Business Consultancy
Recruitment Consultancy
Legal Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 25A Vreeland Road Suite 103, Florham Park, New Jersey (NJ), 07932, US
Tel: +973 377 7750

Home Health Aide, L.L.C.
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Component Cleaning Services
Technical Surveillance Countermeasure Investigation
Detective Agencies/ Corporate/Private Investigation Services
National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Adult Care Training
Contract Labor
Construction Equipment or Plants Operatives
Taxation Consultancy
Address: 2 Pidgeon Hill Drive #210, Potomac Falls, Virginia (VA), 20165, US

Horizon Staffing Solutions
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Office Staff Recruitment Consultancy
Office Staff Recruitment Agencies
Human Resources (HR) Recruitment
Recruitment Consultancy
Address: 2001 Marcus Ave E240, New Hyde Park, New York (NY), 11042, US
Tel: +516 358 4141

Hunter
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Receptionist / Call Center/Operator Staff Recruitment
Accounting Personnel Recruitment Consultancy/Services/Agencies
Information Technology (IT) or Computer Personnel Recruitment Consultancy/Services/Agencies
Legal Staff Recruitment Agencies
Executive Search Consultancy
Management Accounts Financial Services
Human Resources (HR) Consultancy
Human Resources (HR) Recruitment
Search Engine Placement Services
Address: 656 Elmwood Avenue Suite 303, Buffalo, New York (NY), 14222, US
Tel: +800 397 5991

Jaci Carroll Staffing
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Environmental Employment
Training
Recruitment Consultancy
Personnel Recruitment or Technical Staff Consultancy/Services/Agencies
Training Materials
Address: 751 Straits Turnpike, Suite 1000, Middlebury, Connecticut (CT), 06762, US
Tel: +203 574 4838
Fax: +203 756 9772

Jordan and Jordan
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Executive Search Consultancy
Project Management
Management Consultancy
Technology Management
Address: 5 Hanover Square, New York, New York (NY), 10004, US
Tel: +212 422 8567

J.R. Personnel, Inc.
Company Overview:
Recruitment Agencies
Human Resources (HR) Performance Management Consultancy
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 7 Essex Green Drive, Peabody, Massachusetts (MA), 01960, US
Tel: +978 531 6160
Fax: +978 532 5948

Keena Staffing Inc.
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Taxation and Accountancy Services
Payroll Services
Human Resources (HR) Performance Management Consultancy
Human Resources (HR) Consultancy
Human Resources (HR) Recruitment
Recruitment Consultancy
Address: 147 Ridge Street, Glens Falls, New York (NY), 12801, US
Tel: +518 793 9825
Fax: +518 793 0224

Luminare
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Internet Based Training
Training Consultancy
Workflow and Knowledge Management
Strategic Management Consultancy
Technical Performance Consultancy
Address: 345 E. 52nd Street, New York, New York (NY), 10022, US
Tel: +415 882 9372

MACK Employment Services, Inc.
Contract Labor
Recruitment Agencies/ Consultancy/ Services
Technical Staff Recruitment Agencies/Consultancy/Services
Personnel Recruitment Agencies/Consultancy/ Services
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: Reading, Pennsylvania (PA), US
Tel: +610 670 6500
Fax: +610 670 5542

Marathon Staffing
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Nursing Staff Recruitment Agencies
Employee Selection Consultancy
Office Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 581 Boylston Street, Suite 604, Boston, Massachusetts (MA), 02116, US
Tel: +617 424 7240
Fax: +617 424 6851

Pal Personnel Services
Personnel Services
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment Consultancy
Address: 200 W. Monroe Street #1300, Chicago, Illinois (IL), 60606, US
Tel: +312 558 3550

Turnberry Solutions, Inc.
Investment Services
Business Strategy Consultancy
Computer Software Development
Database Design
Office Staff Recruitment Agencies
Project Management
Technology Business Consultancy
Interactive Web Site Design
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 120 Davis Drive, Suite 100, North Wales, Pennsylvania (PA), 19454, US
Tel: +215 654 9991
Fax: +208 575 0208

United Personnel Services, Inc.
Recruitment Consultancy
Office Staff Recruitment Consultancy
Human Resources (HR) Recruitment
Temporary Staff Recruitment Agencies
Address: 1331 Main Street, Springfield, Massachusetts (MA), 01103, US
Tel: +413 736 0800
Fax: +413 747 9021

West Legal Ed

west legal ed

The Nigeria’s Interventionist Role In Liberian Crisis: An Examination Of Rpi Model

The Nigeria’s Interventionist Role in Liberian Crisis: An Examination of RPI Model

  Introduction To lead a multi–ethnic society while committed to democratic principles or norms is an uphill task. This is because incorporating several ethnic groups into a single political fold means bringing together the basic problem of ethnic conflict as well. Group loyalties dividing a multi – ethnic society can, and do, undermine a common identity, national culture or consensus on democratic values. Any government that could not effectively manage, accommodate and process the divergent, uncoordinated demands placed on it by the environment of conflicting ethnic strata with desired and expected output released to the environment, will be tenaciously experiencing call, clamour and struggle for replacement of existing structures which seem to be conflicting to the demands of the environment.

This perpetual clamour for change is a function of dissatisfaction experienced in the area of distribution of resources. It has been carefully noted that inaccessibility to, and uneven distribution of, scarce values is the master-cause of any conflict in any society, meagrely developed, developing or developed societies.

The regularity of conflicts in Africa has become one of the distinct characteristics of the continent. The conflicts are usually in the forms of inter-state and intra-state wars. While inter-state wars are usually aroused by border claims due to the presence of economic resources in the disputed areas; ideological differences; and leadership misperception, intra-state instability is often ignited by ethnic rivalry prompted by ethnic or sectional marginalization and exclusion from political power, Osaghae believes that the latter factors are better expressed as intra-elite class rivalry (1996; 98-102).

The implications of conflict situations in the region include genocide, wanton destruction of personal assets, infrastructures and refugee crisis. The level of destruction of conflicts in Liberia made external intervention a matter of humanitarian imperative. Since Liberia was undemocratic, it therefore lacked constitutional in–built mechanisms for conflict management. This necessitated external military involvement in resolving the crisis.

Nigeria’s interventionist role in the Liberian civil war was ideologically understandable within the ECOWAS organisational framework of the standing protocol relating to Mutual Assistance on Defence and in pursuance of her defined foreign policy demands. To understand Nigeria’s external involvement demands a critical analysis of the broad objectives of Nigerian foreign policy.

Objectives of Nigeria Foreign Policy

Foreign policy according to Reynolds is the “range of actions of government of a state in its relation with other bodies similarly acting on the stage supposedly in order to advance the nation’s interest” (1976). Evaluating this definition, it could be deduced that the foreign policy of a state involves not only interactions with other states but also relations with international non-state bodies, both government organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOS). Rosenau sees foreign policy as “the authoritative actions which governments take or are committed to take, in order to preserve the desirable aspects of the international environment or alter its undesirable aspects” (1974:6). Kolawole (1997) also lends his voice when he insists that “a nation’s foreign policy orientation is informed by what is considered to be its national interest”.

Generally, the most potent instrument of gauging a nation’s foreign policy is its stated foreign policy objectives. Section 19 of the 1979 Nigerian constitution, saliently articulates its objectives as the defence of the country’s sovereignty; independence and territorial integrity; restoration of human dignity to Blackman all over the world; the creation of relevant political and economic conditions in Africa, promotion and improvement of the economic well–being of all Nigerian citizens; and promotion of world peace (Kolawole, 1997).

Of principal concern to Nigeria, from these objectives, are well–being of Nigerians; the imperative of justice for all, and a peaceful and secured world in which conflicts are resolved amicably. These aspiration values are prioritized by policy makers into three concentric circles. The narrowness of the circles denotes the nation’s security priorities, attitude and responses to foreign policy issues within Africa and the rest of the world. The inner–most circle has Nigeria. Nigeria’s neighbours and the West African sub –region occupy the second, while third layers belongs to other states in Africa (Buhari, 1984:2; Ajayi: 1998: 179).

This prioritisation implies that defence and security planners must be sensitive to the behaviour, capabilities and plans of countries that fall within these concentric securities boundaries.

The second circle, which has ECOWAS states, is strategic to Nigeria for a few reasons. One, Nigeria is a member of ECOWAS like Liberia. Therefore whatever happens to any of the members must be of keen interest to Nigeria. Two, it will be dangerous for the country to ignore any major crisis within the sub-region for its spill-over effects. Such effects can include the influx of refugees and the contagious nature of the crisis as events in Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire and Congo Kinshasa have evidently shown. This stems from the ease with which conflict spreads in Africa. Three, any crisis in the sub-region will disrupt the realisation of the integrative economic goals of ECOWAS. Any prolonged conflict in the sub-region will constrain and stiffen the overall economic growth and development of individual state. Lastly, by its position in terms of economic status, military capability, ethnic pluralism, demographic capacity and preponderance, Nigeria occupies a leadership status in the sub-region. This constrains her from being a mere observer of events in the area. An examination of her roles in Liberia and Sierra-Leone will adequately reflect this prioritisation of objectives.   The Historical Survey of Liberian Crisis

One permanent attribute of nearly all African states is their multi-ethnic nature. Just like any other states of the continent, Liberia is noted for her multi-ethnic pluralism. Osaghae noted that Liberia comprises the two broad ethnic formations: the Americo-Liberians and the Natives which consist of ethnic groups like krahn, kpelle, kru, kissi, Bassa and De (1996:10).

The Americo-Liberians have been dominating the political sphere since independence in 1847. This is contradictory! One, they constitute just about 2.9% of the 1.5 million of the country’s population as computed in 1974 (Osaghae, 1996). Two, they are non-indigenous controlling the political and socio-economic structures of the state, which negates the principles of true independence as affirmed to. Three, Liberia seems to have gained independence since 1847 but her continuous domination by aliens has therefore given way to absolute marginalization of the natives not until the government led by President William Tolbert, an Americo-Liberian was revolted against by Samuel Doe.

Doe’s government was marked by arbitrariness and despotism to the extent that he later transformed himself to a civilian president in a fraudulent manner in an election that faced stiff opposition. Samuel Doe ruled Liberia in an oppressive manner. The situation became tense and unbearable culminating in civil war led by Charles Taylor in 1989. This marked the beginning of the fratricidal civil war in the country.

The war continued and became uncontrollable. “As the war progressed, and hardship increased, discipline broke down among the Armed forces of Liberia and rebel troops which began kidnapping foreign citizens indiscriminately” (Nwolise, 1992:58). “The ensued carnage, destruction to public property and danger posed to foreigners, aroused the attention of the international community” (Ajayi , 1998: 181).

Though the civil war took place in Liberia, the neighbouring countries felt the effect. Apart from the fact that foreigners were killed, the influx of refuges to countries like Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria was highly noticeable. It is on this note that one shall look into the “involvement of the input of idea”, and the actual participation in the conflict resolution” by Nigeria. 

Nigeria’s Full Participation in Resolving the Crisis The conflict in Liberia became worrisome not only to the indigenes (Liberians) but also to the neighbouring nations and the whole continent. The involvement of Nigeria in “input of idea” in resolving the Liberia crisis has its root in the 13th session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held on the 28th to 30th May, 1990 at the Gambia. According to Ajayi (1998:183-184), “President Babangida of Nigeria, canvassed for a community standing mediation committee to intervene in the Liberia dispute” the mediation committee comprises Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Lone and Guinea as aspired by the Authority. This marked the birth of the “ECOWAS cease-fire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) of which military contingents from members of the committee were drawn to restore and keep the peace in Liberia” (Ajayi, 1998).   As regards ECOMOG, the aforementioned countries according to their military strength and capability donated solders. This prompted Nigeria to have about 80% of the total composition of ECOMOG (Shanon and Ebrahim, 2000:14-15). Apart from this, the chief of staff, since inception, has been Nigerians. This might account for why Randall Robinson (1996) noted that “Nigeria is a great country, the hope of Africa. If Nigeria works, Africa will get there”. The success of ECOMOG in Liberia as led by Nigeria has proved the above postulation.

Thus the actual ‘participation in the conflict resolution’ began in August 1990. In the words of the Nigerian ex-president Ibrahim Babangida, “unless arrested, the carnage in that country (Liberia) would spill over to neighbouring countries, leading to external non-African intervention and we thereby decided to send out troops to participate in this laudable peacekeeping mission”(African Guardian, 1991:10).

The ex-president noted that Africa must not wait for the interventionist role from the international peace keeping force from such international organisation like UN before it tackles any problem within the region. Hence it is germane for African leaders to take appropriate initiative on the region’s problems.

One notable fact is that all Nigerian leaders usually realize the importance of peace in the sub-region. This was what prompted Babangida’s successor, Late General Sani Abacha to continue peace-keeping mission in the sub-region. To him, “the issue of peace in the West African sub-region should supersede the economic interest of individual states as there cannot be economic progress without peace in the region” (West African 1995: 586).

The Rationality, Power and Ideology (RPI) Model: A Conceptualisation and Operationalisation

The three key concepts of this model need be conceptualised and operationalised to help situate and put in contextual perspective the theme of the study. Rationality, power and Ideology interact in a complex process to shape public policy in any political system. Although, a lot of approaches have been developed and put forward to understand why government takes option A rather than B. Why it takes more of option B at the expense of option A. For instance, institutional approach was considered problem- explaining and problem-solving with the focus purely on the institutions of government as the major policy makers. Congress, the executive, the courts, and the bureaucracy represent the major institutions that address the issues of public policy. The institutional perspective, however, presents only one perception of policy making. Public policy creation can also be understood and viewed from other frames of reference. The institutional perspectives of policymaking has come of age, it has outgrown its usefulness and needs to be replaced; hence the development and consequent adoption of RPI model of policy making.

There are a number of policies made by the government. This, for the convenience and choice of this paper, shall be divided broadly into two, namely; domestic policies and foreign policies. The latter is the focus and concern of this study. The focus of this paper shall therefore be shifted to the three inputs of foreign policy making in Nigeria. There is certain interaction and interconnectedness, in a rather complex manner, among these three inputs in shaping foreign policy in Nigeria. It is germane therefore to define model in order to be familiar with the operational tools of analysis. What is a model?

A model has been defined as “an abstraction or representation of political life that serves to: 1. Order and simplify reality. 2. Identify what is significant. 3. Provide meaningful communication. 4. Direct research and, 5. Suggest explanations” (Thomas Dye; 1995; 40-41).  It is also conceptual frameworks or lenses to view a series of events” (Steven G. etals, 1998:11). Generally, a model is a guide to deal with reality. It captures the real features of reality. Model should however not be mistaken for reality. It is not a description of reality but a representation of it. It simplifies reality but reality is more complex. A good model should be consistent in producing results. Since model guides, it is therefore a simpler form of reality.

Having conceptualized model, it is important to operationalise the inputs of policymaking vis-à-vis foreign policy in Nigeria. Because of the divergence in foreign policy issues in Nigeria, the interest of this paper is shifted to Nigeria’s interventionist role in Liberia through ECOMOG.

RPI model departs from the traditional institutional focus as it examines the influences of three policy inputs. RPI model contends that the policy inputs of rationality, power and ideology influence the key actors of Nigeria foreign policy. Unlike institutional model, rationality, Power and ideology are dependent and co-ordinate, they interact with each other in a complex process to impinge on, and exert policy influence.

Rationality refers to the ability to assimilate and accept the presence of conflicting factors in a given situation. In a rational context of decision making, what happens is the constant process of moderating the biases and subjective disparity of the decision-maker by the ready introduction of appropriate information and willingness to use such information. Rationality encourages the use of experts who monitor programme effectiveness using rational techniques and make recommendations for periodic changes. Rationality involves objectivity and objectivity connotes the availability and usage of relevant and reliable data in formulating foreign policy.

Rationality lays emphasis on objectivity, technicality and cost–effect in defining one’s goals. The primary focus is cost and benefit. Corroborating this, a scholar has argued that “calculation and consideration of benefits, as well as costs, are important components of rationality. The rationality input relies heavily on empirical analysis and methodological tools such as statistics, scientific procedures and experimental        designs” (William; 1994). In the view of rationality, policy involves:

(i)                 goal setting

(ii)               Identification and listing of options / alternatives.

(iii)             Evaluation and

(iv)             Best choice

Policy can also be studied or viewed from the perspective of power. The key actors in this perspective are various interest groups, citizens, government and influential individuals who exert considerable influence on policy through lobbying, voting, shaping pubic opinion or contributing to political campaigns. Various groups interact in a complex way to influence policy output. Power input is linked to self-        interested actors who wish to acquire personal gains as contrasted to the rationality input that strives to maximize the collective benefit or benefits to all, for a given amount of resources.

Policy can also be viewed from the perspective of ideology. Ideology has power to change one’s perception of world because of its general acceptance, stability and normative tendencies. Its values have been acquired and accepted as norms which must be adhered to. It emphasises acceptance, faith without proof, belief without evidence. Ideology deals with belief systems that simplify complexity and shape views of how the world works (Steven et als, 1998).

A scholar has recaptured the end–product of ideology when he identifies three important senses of ideology “to refer to very specific kinds of beliefs, to refer to beliefs that are in some cases distorted or false and, to refer to any set of beliefs, covering everything from scientific knowledge, to religion, to everyday beliefs about proper conduct, respective of whether such beliefs are true or false “(Nicholas etal; 1988:118). Ideological input is associated with “emotional rewards rather than materials gains and with polarized environments involving many actors engaged in continuous debate” (Nicholas etal; 1988:118).

Rationality and the Nigeria’s Foreign Policy of Interventionist Role in Liberia through ECOMOG

If certain attributes of rationality include objectivity, technicality, expertise, availability of relevant and reliable data (information), cost–effect, etc, then, the motives behind Nigeria’s intervention in Liberia must             reflect these attributes. In evaluating, identifying and understanding this, we shall attempt to look at the practical factors that have motivated Nigeria’s intervention. Available evidence proves that Nigeria’s intervention is as a result of pursuance of its foreign policy objectives; objectives in this sense connote     ideology rather than rationality because it deals with, and centres on, emotion. Also, scholars have unveiled that salient factors which include “the carnage in the trouble spots is enough to evoke humanitarian feelings, Nigeria has multi-million dollar investments in petroleum and solid minerals in Liberia and president Samuel Doe, at that time, was a close friend of General Babangida, the then head of State” (Ajayi, 1989: 184). The first factor centres on the issue of humanitarianism which is ideological in nature, while the second is on economic/personal gains; the third is on both power and ideology.

The second reason being economic (investment) can be elaborated upon and issue of rationality drawn from it. In this regards, it leaves more questions than answers. Is the investment in Liberia commensurate with 1,000 lives that were lost, the psychological effect thereof and an estimated “$8billion” wasted on the prosecution of foreign war that was none of its making?” (Vanguard: 2003:11). What then is rational in the decision of Nigeria to give asylum to Taylor? Were Nigerian people consulted in form of opinion poll before Nigeria troops were sent to Liberia? Is there anything rational for a country that is inundated with, and characterised by, high external debt, poverty, inflation, religious bigotry, hike in petroleum products price, youth restiveness in the Niger Delta etc to scandal such a whopping amount of money in foreign land because of self- styled ideology?

We know that rationality has multiple bases (i) technical rationality (ii) economic rationality (iii) legal rationality and, (iv) social rationality. Considering legal rationality, Taylor should have been handed over to the international criminal court for trial. Out of these four multiple bases of rationality, Nigeria’s intervention could not be explained suitably if situated within the rationality perspective.

Power, Ideology and the Nigeria’s Interventionist Role in Liberian Crisis through ECOMOG

It has been saliently discovered that Nigeria has since been using more of power and ideology in its foreign policy approach. It is not that Nigeria has not applied rationality in any of its foreign policy approaches. After all, the cession of some communities and villages to Cameroon over Bakkassi Penisula is a decision that can be explained through legal rationality. But greater percentage of its foreign policy approaches could best be viewed through power and ideology. In talking of power, power can be divided into three viz: ruling class, power elite and pluralism.

The adherents of ruling class believe that a policy of government (be it domestic or foreign) is a reflection of the personal idiosyncrasies of the ruling class. The leading statement of such a structure was offered by Gaetano Mosca, who states that all societies break down to two classes: those who rule and those who are ruled. This type of class dominates the institutions of government, owns largest part of country’s wealth but has 0.5 to 1.0 percent of population of any country (Steven etal; 1998). Power elite belong to the group that commands the major institutional hierarchies and organizations of modern society: big corporations, government and the military. While pluralism is a situation where power and opportunity of wider participation are dispersed to individual groups.

Power emphasizes economic/personal gains while ideology is on emotions. The decision of the president to reinstate Sao Tome president is derived from ideological perspective of foreign policy objectives of Nigeria. Also, the decision to grant asylum to Taylor is explainable and understandable through the ruling class view of power. If it were pluralistic, Nigerian people would have been consulted and their views adopted as final and unchanged.

  Conclusion

Using RPI model, it could be deduced that the intervention stemmed from power and ideology rather than from the perspective of rationality. It is advisable however that Nigeria adopts rationality in its approach on vital foreign policy issues such as the intervention in both Liberia and Sierra Leone because of the economic effect it has on Nigeria’s economy and economic development. On Tuesday, 23rd June, 2009, the Nigerian Senate was debating and subsequently passed a request from the President granting soft loan of $10million to Sao Tome at the critical point of economic downturn. Many Nigerians go to bed hungry, high rate of unemployment and deplorable situation of Nigerian roads. Infrastructural facilities are practically lacking. In this situation, granting of loan to another country cannot be said to be rational but a reflection of Nigeria’s foreign policy objective and personal relationship which is ideological in nature.

It is an indisputable fact that ECOWAS through its military wing – ECOMOG – had once again succeeded in restoring peace to Liberia against all odds. Constitutional or unconstitutional, legal or extralegal, ECOWAS, indeed Nigeria, has gained more recognition in the international system in the area of peace making. But the conviction of this paper is that it is more expedient if not more reasonable to satisfy domestic needs before playing the role of ‘big brother’ in Africa. As the position of country and its relevance in the international system is not measured by how many peace keepings you engage in as a country, but your level of technology development, economic viability, military capability, political stability and visionary leadership as well as focussed and supportive citizenry. In order to achieve this, therefore, there should be internal cleansing through reduction in the level of corruption, zero tolerance to poverty, sincerity of purpose on the part of the leadership, infrastructural development and a vibrant electoral system that guarantees one man one vote as well as respect for individual rights.

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