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6 - Social choice and research capacity strengthening in Nigeria

Insights from the field

from Part I - Social Choice and Capabilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2024

By
Michael Watts ,
Nafisa Waziri  and
Oladele Akogun
Edited by
Flavio Comim ,
P. B. Anand  and
Shailaja Fennell
Flavio Comim
Affiliation:
Universitat Ramon Llull
P. B. Anand
Affiliation:
University of Bradford
Shailaja Fennell
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
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Summary

Drawing on an education project conducted in northern Nigeria, this chapter considers how social choices can be made and legitimized when different groups contributing to them hold significantly different views. Social identity theory is employed to understand the perceived and relative values individuals have of themselves and others. Social choice theory is then used to explore the influence of those valuations on meaningful social choices, specifically here the choice of groups of educators to work together to improve educational policies and practices. The development of capabilities, illustrated here by the professional capabilities of those educators, is traced through these theories. Although it has this very specific empirical focus, by making use of social identity and social choice theories, this chapter contributes to the wider understanding of individual freedoms to enhance the well-being of others through collective decision making.

Keywords

educationNigeriaprofessional capabilitiessocial choicesocial identity
Type
Chapter
Information
Social Choice, Agency, Inclusiveness and Capabilities , pp. 113 - 136
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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References

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