Determinants of Public Opinion in Foreign Policy Decision-Making in Nigeria: Analysis of Influencing Factors
https://doi.org/10.54012/jssh.v2i1.856
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Keywords:
Public Opinion, Foreign Policy, Decision-Making, Constructivism, Media Influence, Citizen DiplomacyAbstract
This study examined the determinants of public opinion and their influence on foreign policy decision-making in Nigeria. The relationship between public opinion and foreign policy has long generated debate among scholars, particularly between realist perspectives that downplay public influence and contemporary approaches that recognize citizens as critical actors in democratic governance. Against this backdrop, the study investigates how various socio-political, economic, and communication-related factors shape public opinion and how such opinion, in turn, affects Nigeria’s foreign policy outcomes. Anchored on constructivist theory, the research emphasizes the role of socially constructed beliefs, norms, and identities in shaping both public perceptions and state behavior in the international system. The study adopted historical research design and utilizes qualitative methods, relying primarily on document analysis of government publications, policy statements, media reports, and scholarly materials. Data were analyzed using discourse and content analysis to uncover patterns, themes, and the interplay between public sentiment and policy decisions over time. Findings indicate that key determinants of public opinion in Nigeria include media influence, social media engagement, elite cues, economic conditions, identity factors, education, and national security concerns. These factors collectively shape citizens’ perceptions and exert varying degrees of pressure on policymakers. The study concluded that although Nigeria’s foreign policy process has historically been elite-driven, the growing influence of public opinion, especially through digital media and democratization, has made it increasingly difficult for policymakers to ignore domestic sentiment. It recommended greater institutional inclusion of public perspectives in foreign policy formulation to enhance legitimacy, accountability, and policy effectiveness.
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