Liberalism, the Element of Diplomacy in Nigerian Foreign Policy

Abstract

This paper aims at exploring the nortion of liberalism and how the element of diplomacy plays out

in Nigerian foreign Specifically, it will examine the tools of diplomacy use by Nigeria to promote

national interests. Liberal idea of global politics connotes cooperation, mutual respect and gaining,

organization and seeking for knowledge. Liberalism is also determined by soft means of

interaction at the international level. Nigeria, since independence tries to pursue her national

objectives in sole means of reciprocity and identity where members of a group try building mutual

cooperation in their interconnection, and care about the interests of other members of the group to

the extent of sacrifice their interests to help others. This study concludes that the moral approach

applies by Nigeria in her foreign policy with other states, especially at the international stage

galvanizes and paves the way for other countries – in her partnership – to take the country for

granted. However, the elements of idealism are not always more optimistic than other approaches

such as realism, for the prospect of peace.