Over the past few weeks, I have been having the same thought-provoking pattern as to how much research is carried out in politics, most especially in Nigeria. This thought pattern is, of course, based on what I see happen daily in the political scene and that is why I have been granted the muse to put pen to paper to describe the role of research in politics.
What exactly is a research? According to Godwin Colibao, research is “any gathering of data, information, and facts for the advancement of knowledge”. John W. Creswell gave another definition of research to mean “a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue”. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines research as a studious inquiry or examination, especially investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws.
In all three definitions, the advancement of knowledge is a basic feature which also is the goal of every productive individual. Everyone is expected to be better today than yesterday. The truth is that research does not exist in a vacuum but within humans and their interactions. A research is not only a social activity but also a political one as it has its role to play in politics.
Research, just like in every other sector like education, health, finance, etc., plays a huge role in determining the advancement of that sector. Research answers questions, such as: how can things become better? Research for the sake of advancement goes beyond mere questioning, but rather, it seeks to understand the underlying principles, ideologies, goals of a particular theory or rule. This brings about a way of doing things better and not just on the surface level. Everyone seeks advancement, most especially the Nigerian politics and politicians, electorates and the nation as a whole. To get this advancement, there is the need for researches to be carried out.
Just like Terry Freedman stated in “The Importance of Research for ICT Teachers” (2011), “Research can shed light on issues we didn’t even know existed, and can raise questions we hadn’t realised even needed asking.” This should be the hallmark of every government – seeking to know how best a situation can be managed. Research is, no doubt, very instrumental in politics as it is the only true source of growth and development. Through research, the general populace are made aware of the various problems facing the society. It keeps them alert and makes them want to take right decisions so as to protect their future. These researches also provide solutions to problems, sharpening the government’s foresight as to how to implement policies and other innovations.
More so, research can help shape the kind of candidates that come out to run in elections. It keeps them informed and makes them more knowledgeable about the problem and challenges facing the system. Research produces intellectualism as it shapes the goals and objectives of political parties and, subsequently, political aspirants. It gives them a chance to explore into the basic needs of the country and the best means through which meeting these needs can be achieved.
For instance, the problem of electricity. Imagine a lot is put into a research to find out how the Nigerian people can enjoy power without interruption! When a political party goes the extra mile to find the reasons for power interruption and the best way to fix it rather than just sit behind to speculate on how things can be done, such a political party will definitely achieve something tangible since it had clear goals and objectives before it decided to run for a position. There have been numerous instances in which politicians promised heaven and earth while trying to get into power and when eventually they won, they were unable to fulfil those promises. Why? Inadequate research. They only speculated while trying to win the hearts of the people. They seem to always believe it is easy to get things done once in Aso Rock.
Just as it is said that proper preparation prevents poor performance, researching the issues bedevilling the country before making promises would prevent an inefficient government. Imbibing research into politics brings about a stronger bond between the electorate and the government. Carrying out a research and publishing it helps the people trust the government more as they are duly informed. It serves as a means through which the public participates in the decision-making process of the country as political research sustains and strengthens the democratic process. It strengthens the bond of unity and promotes peace and oneness.
Planned or unplanned, carrying out a research into a specific area of discipline is a means to understanding how things work. The greatest mistake of all time is to intentionally go into something you have no idea of. In politics, research is a powerful tool through which participants can actually gain knowledge on how things work and how it can work better. Every government has a role to play in the socio-economic development of its country. It’s more than the title or honour received from those positions but much more about the long-lasting effects such government has on the country and the electorate. Nigeria is a very complex country with 36 states, various sectors, issues, beliefs, etc. These are enough reasons for which research can be of help. To solve a problem, such problem has to be identified and understood and that’s what research is all about. Be it an original or scientific research, the truth is that research helps keep focus.
Furthermore, research is a tool through which the truth is identified from falsehood. It helps to ascertain the integrity and credibility of a proposed solution and the giver of such solution. Every good research tends to reveal the truth about the issue at hand. In the Nigerian case, for instance, there are various underlying acts and practices that I believe are part of the reasons why growth and development are quite far from us. Research into issues like this present to the world a clearer view of how things truly are.
Research either approves integrity and fidelity or disapproves infidelity. Just like a typical Nigerian man would not want to get married to a woman he knows nothing about, so also should the electorate vote for no one they know nothing about or what they can do. Research is the most powerful tool for growth and development as it excludes imaginations and mere thoughts and produces concrete evidences.
Detailed researches help both the electorate and the government develop a more critical expertise into the nature of how things should be done and how best it could be done. As Mary-Louise Kearney, director of the UNESCO Forum on Higher Education, Research and Knowledge, once said, “Knowledge generated by research is the basis of sustainable development, which requires that knowledge be placed at the service of development, be converted into applications, and be shared to ensure widespread benefits.”
Research paves way for a more grounded and rounded economic and social development through the formulation of adequate and accurate policies that are expected to bring about global development and recognition. There is no doubt that the Nigerian state is in a stalemate and it needs remedy. The underlying fact remains that research, series of it, is the only way through which we can manage these situations. It unveils to the country as a whole how best situations can be managed.
Shaughnessy Naughton, talking about the role of science in politics, said: “Our aim is not to make science another highly partisan issue, but rather to let facts and empirically observed data trump emotional debate. It is far too common for politicians to find themselves defending oftentimes indefensible positions that can and should be approached and solved with a scientific perspective.”
Scientific research gives no room for sentimental or emotional decisions. It produces truth to bear result of which actions should be taken. There is hardly any room for speculation or imagination; all there is are evidences and proofs for actions and how they should be carried out. In all sincerity, I think this is what the Nigerian politics needs. Research provides hardcore evidences, blueprints to which growth and development can be formed. Most political issues today require a systematic, dispassionate and disciplined thought and that can only be brought about by research. Scientific research in politics brings about a change in the type of leadership from being transactional to being transformational and as such, a greater chance of survival is secured. Rather than spend hours in sittings, arguing and discussing on best plans to execute, spending more time in the field trying to find out why and how best is a means through which transformation can occur.
Research also plays an instrumental role in politics by satisfying one’s curiosity about political phenomenon and questions. It answers questions like, why are we doing things this way? Research in its entirety provides political participants, aspirants and electorate with the understanding of what a political life is. For instance, it answers questions like, why does the Nigerian state operate a presidential system of government rather than a parliamentary system? Why is secret ballot system the preferred type of voting? Having basic understanding of these issues is the first step to a reliable political system as it helps provide improvement in areas that need one. Basically, it aids innovation.
In summary, it is evident that that we cannot separate politics from research as the latter has a profound role to play in the successful running of politics and a political system. Research in politics is definitely the bedrock on which every other sector can be developed as once there is a good political system, every other decision as relating to education, finance, sports, tourism, etc would produce long-lasting and effective decisions. This is, therefore, a call to encourage more research in our politics and political system.
Olufunmilola Olufunso-Oke
Olufunso-Oke is associate group head, Research & Intelligence Development, CMC Connect Burson Marsteller.
