Man faces a world of complex social problems. As a result he is perplexed beyond description, his thinking often ends in confusion. Democratic adjustments of problem calls for democratic thinking which in turn means that the rank and file of group membership must think clearly about the nature and solution to social problems.

In thinking about the myriad of problems the world is faced with, the so called practical person has proceeded in his own way. He has had personal experience, which to him has been sufficient. Often he has been motivated by a sense of injustice and stung into fervid thought by circumstances which he judged to be unfair. As a result, he has concocted a makeshift remedy or impulsively accepted a ready made program. Perhaps he has believed in a single cause for this ill and in consequence has prescribed a single remedy for it.

Usually he has been very limited in his observations, hence narrow and intolerant in his conclusions. Either he has been entirely non-plussed or else he has felt cocksure.

The practicalist is often a poor leader. He may be even the most “dangerous type�. He has scoffed at genuine reason so long as he believes it has fallen into his pit of unsound reason. Due to his arrogance, civilization has floundered and social problems have piled up, mountain high. People are prone to offer solutions for social problems without first equipping themselves with a knowledge of its processes and antecedents. Only by accident however can current social problems be understood, unless the historical sequences of cause and effect are understood. A current maladjustment is usually indicative of a long line of antecedent factors.

While taking strong action may be greatly needed, yet an action that does not emerge from thorough scrutiny is dangerous. An action that springs from irritated convictions is as likely to do harm, as it is to do good.

A knowledge of the history of past experiences and of strong social thought which grows out of this experience is basic to wise social action.

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

Smith30045@yahoo.com 

Credit for the above article goes to Page Smith, Carl Roger and other social scientists living or long dead who have greatly in one way or the other influenced my social conscience.

Robot  Villager

# 1 Man faces a world of complex social problems. As a result he is perplexed beyond description, his thinking often ends in confusion. Democratic adjustments of problem calls for democratic thinking which in turn means that the rank and file of group membership must think clearly about the nature an...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 12.11.2005 16:25

Unregistered

# 2 Every leader has followers.Every leader has those who agree with him and those who don't.Every leader has those who want him to live and those who see evil in everything he does.Obasanjo is and will never be an exception.You can say anything you want to say about him and that is understandable since we live in a democratic environment. One thing I am certain is that posterity will judge him well.Years from now,we shall begin to see the good he has done in a deeply corrupt country like ours.Most of the reforms this man has embarked on have been ignored by almost past administrations.Someone has to clear the mess and it fell on Obj.You may not like him but at least you know his position and where he stand.This is the first time in our history that government officials have nightmares.This is the only president that has shaken the kaduna mafia or whatever they call themselves.This is the first president that has initiated the repayment of our national debt. The question is:who and what will ever please nigerians.I am very proud of my president and I am confident he and his folks like Iweala are really bent on setting a legacy.Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown they say, and OBJ is not an exception.Peace. Posted by Unregistered| 13.11.2005 00:25

Olounlogbon LMH

# 3 Now if you substitute that name in that write up with Bush, Blair, etc... to read: "To ____ and others like him". How will this read ? The great thing about our great country is its inherent endowment with great minds. The biggest huddle is our over endowment with minds that are not sufficiently endowed. call it the intellectually challenged, if you may. This low-I.Q. class had a vice grip on the country. They are being eased out. But have left a lot of "mess" behind. I do believe the mess that was Nigeria, is now being processed for a clean up. I am sufficiently impressed and convinced that the giant strides taken by the Obasanjo administration if allowed to bear fruits will bring the country to a decent level of sustainability. I personally believe OBJ is doing a good job ! That is not to say there is no better way of achieving this results. But as they say: "every country deserves the leaders they have" ... Keep Hope Alive !! -lmh- Posted by Olounlogbon LMH| 13.11.2005 01:37

Unregistered

# 4 The writer has raised poignant questions; what kind of reforms is Obasanjo executing in Nigeria, methinks, none. The situation in Nigeria is very sad indeed. Posted by Unregistered| 13.11.2005 12:58

Unregistered

# 5 The reports about the state of the airports, the schools system that had broken down. You were impressed by the NEPA geek who was able to operate a powerpoint presentation, and you didn't know that the NEPA headquarters in Abuja uses a standby generator till this minute.... or that it was impossible for a powerpoint presentation to be made due to power failure Posted by Unregistered| 13.11.2005 13:07

Unregistered

# 6 If you have had the kind of unique chance that President Obasanjo has had, you will appreciate the strength and depth of thought that motivates his actions. many of our writers simply lack the sense of history. There is nothing you want to teach Obasanjo about foreign Affairs because it was during his first coming(1976) that the current foreign policy of the country was formulated. He left a full purse to his successor Shehu Shagari in 1979. The Currupt Practices Investigation Bureau, Public Complaints Commission etc were matters he had attended to before. He has written philosophised and sermonised etc on virtually any subject in Governance not only in Nigeria but all over Africa. I am glad he chose to execute his foreign Policy because he knows what to do. We always needed a tested hand not an "experimenter". He has handled the re-organisation of our deeply politicised armed forces with the deftness of a seasoned surgeon.He is a Soldier that has seen battle. Of course we don't expect success on every front and he has his own "achilles heel' In Chief Awolowo's terms he has the required "Mental Magnitude" to rule Nigeria though without the string of Ph.Ds. He is one of the best our Military ever produced. To classify him in the class of leaders descibed in the above write up is a palpable error. This man has just moved fast for us as a nation having accessed the fountain of all wisdom to govern by being a born-again Christian. The above stuff can appropriately be addressed to other world leaders NOT our President. I am in full agreement with the two commentators that our President is not an impulsive "practicalist" leader but a ceative thoughtful problem-solver. ADEBAYO ADEJARE Posted by Unregistered| 13.11.2005 13:52

Unregistered

# 7 Obasanjo's bootlickers Posted by Unregistered| 13.11.2005 14:01

Unregistered

# 8 You've made the right observation. We have a bunch of fine public officers well educated and enlightened. Ready to make good of the reforms. Unfortunately we have a Leader who believes he is the best thing to ever happen in Nigeria. It is this disorganized leadership that is pulling Nigeria back. Tunnel vision! President Obasanjo has travelled the length and breath of the world in search of foreign investors He even arm twisted the House of Assembly to approve a 11 billion naira private jet to take him on his trips, forgetting that the foreign visitors would need good airports, good roads and security when they come into the country. The EU airlines issued a threat few days ago, concerned about the state of the Lagos airport. Why should things go down like this when the country can boast of over $20 billion in foreign reserves and the foreign banks are making making money from our savings? the only thing that pleases President Obasanjo is that he has banked so much dollars and the country needs a facelift. I was in Ghana recently I was very surprise to see so many foreigners in their airport mostly tourists. They have made their country attractive, by improving the infastructures. I didn't see many houses with high fences I guess it is relatively safe. You can breath Politics now in Nigeria, the game is on and they are taking positions. Those who want more years for OBJ are among and have access to stupendous money. It's time to say enough recycling! Posted by Unregistered| 13.11.2005 14:06

Unregistered

# 9 =Unregistered>It's time to say enough recycling! True. We are tired of the same old looters coming up again and again to take charge of Nigeria's affairs... ...what we need is young, fresh looters to give a sense of urgency and vibrancy to the looting process! Posted by Unregistered| 17.11.2005 17:29

Unregistered

# 10 Some of the writers of the above comments are living in dream land. How can you claim that you love your nation when you spend 40% of your time travelling to foreign lands? How can you say that you love Nigeria when Nigeria has no running water, no roads, no schools, no hospitals, and no electricity under your care? How? Nigeria police forces were turned into a terrorist organization so that you could win elections. How is this love of your nation? The Supreme Court of Nigeria has been turned into a useless ghost so the you could kill and and get away with murder. How is this loving your nation? Obasanjo is worse than Abacha. Period. The Yorubas and the Hausa are "curse" on the state of Nigeria. Period. Posted by Unregistered| 19.11.2005 12:08

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