Papers by Joy Godwyns-Agbude
Technology and Investment, 2015
The discourse in the business world has gone beyond the primary purpose of business. While some s... more The discourse in the business world has gone beyond the primary purpose of business. While some scholars would argue that the primary purpose of business is profit maximization, others are of the opinion that business, beyond maximizing profit, exists to promote and enhance the well-being of humanity. Between these two divides, this paper attempts to contribute robustly to this perennial dialogue by interjecting Kant's categorical imperative in pursuing the argument that though profit maximization is essential for business expansion, nonetheless the value of the human persons-both customers and employees-is equally and primarily essentially. Within the scope of this study, the researchers appeal to literature as case studies were presented to underscore the various attempts at making profit and pursuing personal economic benefit by some entrepreneurs without taking cognizance of the importance of the human persons that buy their proposed products. At the end, this paper vehemently appeals to the moral consciousness of entrepreneurs across the globe to integrate moral values to their pursuit of business profit and economic expansion.
The pursuit of profit and business success has always been the goal of CEOs and many business pra... more The pursuit of profit and business success has always been the goal of CEOs and many business practitioners. This has further led to the devaluation of the human person in many business practices. This global economic system can best be described as the reinvention of the ―Hobbessian Jungle‖ that is described as the state of ‗war of all against all‘ (bellum omnium contra omnes), and a state of ‗man becoming wolf to man‘ (homo lupus homini). The present economic arrangement bequeaths on us a state where man is involved in constant economic war of self-survival to the detriment of other peoples‘ happiness and wellbeing. That the business world embodies its own morality different from other practices is the final conclusion of some ethicists. Therefore, this paper, with the use of appropriate secondary data, critically examines the fundamental strategy of the corporate world with particular attention placed on the recurrent battle between ―Corporate Machiavellianists‖...
Several researches have been conducted on the nature, character and causes of underdevelop-ment i... more Several researches have been conducted on the nature, character and causes of underdevelop-ment in Africa. Some scholars have alluded to the imperativeness of leadership in fostering de-velopment in Africa while some pointed a robust accusing finger to the structures of the interna-tional political system. While this paper does not join issues with these scholars, it however fo-cuses on locating the dilemma of social identity as the missing factor in all inter personal rela-tionships in Africa with special bias for the relationship between the led and the leaders. This pa-per briefly engages the arguments and counterarguments of the paradox of development in Africa and then goes on to show how the absence of social identity or group identity has been the bane of development in Africa. While dwelling on available secondary data, this paper theorizes the inter-play among politics of underdevelopment, leadership and social identity in Africa. It concludes by arguing for the necessity o...
The leadership question has become one of the recurrent issues in African politics. It is a truis... more The leadership question has become one of the recurrent issues in African politics. It is a truism that everything rises and falls on leadership. Among several factors that have been adduced for the failure of post-colonial African states and governmental apparatuses is the concept of weak, corrupt and incompetent leadership experiment on the continent. It has been argued that if Africa gets its leadership right, the socio-eco political ambiance of the continent and its citizenry would benefit from it. Therefore, this paper engages the necessary theoretical underpinnings of leadership, opting for the concept of ethical leadership using Kant's Categorical Imperative as a model for ethical values in the process of governance in the continent. This paper engages secondary sources of data in marshalling its point for ethical leadership based on the proposal of the German Philosopher. It argues that it would be a disservice to the continent if its intelligentsia underplay the central place of ethical values in its pursuit of an ideal form of leadership that is a prerequisite for national/continental development. From this paper, one can conclude that ethical leadership based on the Kantian paradigm is a necessity for development and true democracy in Africa.
Open Journal of Leadership, 2014
Several researches have been conducted on the nature, character and causes of underdevelopment in... more Several researches have been conducted on the nature, character and causes of underdevelopment in Africa. Some scholars have alluded to the imperativeness of leadership in fostering development in Africa while some pointed a robust accusing finger to the structures of the international political system. While this paper does not join issues with these scholars, it however focuses on locating the dilemma of social identity as the missing factor in all inter personal relationships in Africa with special bias for the relationship between the led and the leaders. This paper briefly engages the arguments and counterarguments of the paradox of development in Africa and then goes on to show how the absence of social identity or group identity has been the bane of development in Africa. While dwelling on available secondary data, this paper theorizes the interplay among politics of underdevelopment, leadership and social identity in Africa. It concludes by arguing for the necessity of class suicide of the political class and also cognitive reorientation of the led through education.
Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2014
The nature of politics involves the coordination of peaceful human coexistence. Given its central... more The nature of politics involves the coordination of peaceful human coexistence. Given its central place in human existence, politics has a great importance in fostering a better living condition of people. But when wrongly pursued and exercised, political power becomes a destructive tool in the hands of political leaders. In view of this importance, it becomes an imperative to subject those vying for political positions to psychological (personality) test in order to validate their fitness and usefulness in ensuring the purpose of politics which among others includes the coordination of human society. This paper employs observatory, dialogical and discursive methods in examining the interlock between politics and psychology. It highlights some abnormal behaviours displayed by our political leaders and argues that the withdrawer of psychology and psychologists to the background in political matters in Nigeria spells doom for the country at large. Thus, it recommends that there must be a deliberate fusion of politics (political science) and psychology, beyond mere referencing them as belonging to the social sciences. In other words, there must be a deliberate intellectual merger of politics and psychology within the university system and the public sphere. It also recommends that psychologists should get involved in national discourse not just as citizens but also as professionals who can provide answers to national issues especially in regards to analyzing the behaviours of political leaders and determining whom are fit to lead. Finally, it holds that the civil society and psychologists have a viable role to play in redressing the socio-political "madness" in the corridor of power in Nigeria. Importantly, this paper does not discuss the wide variety of personality tests and does not pretend to have conducted any personality test on any public office holder, but suggests that personality tests are necessary in order to ensure sanity in our polity by recruiting the "right people"-people without personality disorder G. Ade' Agbude et al. 122 and leaders that will not jeopardize the well-being of the people.
The nature of politics involves the coordination of peaceful human coexistence. Given its central... more The nature of politics involves the coordination of peaceful human coexistence. Given its central place in human existence, politics has a great importance in fostering a better living condition of people. But when wrongly pursued and exercised, political power becomes a destructive tool in the hands of political leaders. In view of this importance, it becomes an imperative to subject those vying for political positions to psychological (personality) test in order to validate their fitness and usefulness in ensuring the purpose of politics which among others includes the coordination of human society. This paper employs observatory, dialogical and discursive methods in examining the interlock between politics and psychology. It highlights some abnormal behaviours displayed by our political leaders and argues that the withdrawer of psychology and psychologists to the background in political matters in Nigeria spells doom for the country at large. Thus, it recommends that there must be a deliberate fusion of politics (political science) and psychology, beyond mere referencing them as belonging to the social sciences. In other words, there must be a deliberate intellectual merger of politics and psychology within the university system and the public sphere. It also recommends that psychologists should get involved in national discourse not just as citizens but also as professionals who can provide answers to national issues especially in regards to analyzing the behaviours of political leaders and determining whom are fit to lead. Finally, it holds that the civil society and psychologists have a viable role to play in redressing the socio-political "madness" in the corridor of power in Nigeria. Importantly, this paper does not discuss the wide variety of personality tests and does not pretend to have conducted any personality test on any public office holder, but suggests that personality tests are necessary in order to ensure sanity in our polity by recruiting the "right people"-people without personality disorder G. Ade' Agbude et al. 122 and leaders that will not jeopardize the well-being of the people.
The African societies have been tagged 'under developing' or 'not developing'; and this is obviou... more The African societies have been tagged 'under developing' or 'not developing'; and this is obvious in the fact that the African postcolonial states have not been able to overcome their countless problems and challenges. The central problem has always been the problem of governance. Most of our postcolonial African political leaders have been enmeshed in the crisis of selfsuccession; a persistent desire and craving for political power at all cost. Different 'measures' and 'means' are therefore employed to fulfill their undying passion for power, fame and wealth. These 'means' include assassinations, blackmailing, election rigging, starring up of ethnic violence, thuggery, rituals, corrupt practices, irresponsive and irresponsible behaviours at the level of governance. Political and social behaviours in Africa have assumed this competitiveness without recourse to moral sentiment. This paper employs secondary data analyzed through textual analysis in presenting Adam Smith's Moral Sentiment and the Traditional African concept of Sympathetic Impartiality as bail-outs attempt at evolving humane political and social systems. It concludes that political ethics is fundamental to effective service delivery in Africa. And that Adam Smith's Moral Sentitment and the Traditional African Concept of Sympathetic Impartiality provide a good ground for effective and responsible governance in Africa if embraced.
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Papers by Joy Godwyns-Agbude