Talcott Parsons’ Theory of Social Action and the Preponderance of Civil Disorder in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is a state replete with dynamics of social action and various shades of civil action and disorder arising from the character of the variety of its social forces and groups. Many of these date back to the early days of British colonisation and the founding of the Nigerian state and have continued unabated to the present day. This study investigated the intersection of Talcott Parsons’ theory of social action and the preponderance of such civil disorder in Nigeria. The study was anchored on structural-functional theory, and the explanatory research design was adopted. It relied on the documentary method of data collection, and on qualitative types of data, while secondary sources of data generation were used. The general analytic tool was adopted for the presentation and analysis of the data generated for the study. This provided the basis for concluding that the rational actions of individuals translate to the Purposive actions of anomic groups when they have acquired general symbols and meaning. If the state does not properly manage this, it escalates into civil unrest. Accordingly, this study recommended that logical acts of disputation be engaged to address systemic injustices in the Nigerian state.