Question 7
NECO
•
2018
•
GOVERNMENT
•
objective
Nigeria is considering joining a regional economic community that requires member states to adopt a common external tariff. Nigeria's foreign policy emphasises the principles of non‑interference and the pursuit of national interest. Assess, with reference to at least two foreign‑policy principles, whether joining the community is compatible with Nigeria's foreign policy. State two potential benefits and two possible drawbacks of the membership.
Answer Options
Correct Answer
A.
Joining the community conflicts with the non‑interference principle because a common external tariff ties Nigeria to collective decisions, but it can be compatible with the pursuit of national interest if the economic gains (larger market access and investment attraction) outweigh the loss of tariff autonomy. Benefits: larger market access and increased foreign investment. Drawbacks: loss of independent tariff policy and exposure to regional economic shocks.
B.
Joining the community fully aligns with the non‑interference principle because the common external tariff is decided by each member individually, and it also supports national interest by guaranteeing higher tariffs on imports. Benefits: protection of domestic industries and increased government revenue. Drawbacks: reduced competition and higher consumer prices.
C.
Joining the community has no impact on Nigeria's foreign‑policy principles because tariffs are purely economic tools, and the community does not affect national interest. Benefits: access to a larger market and increased foreign investment. Drawbacks: none, as the common tariff is optional for each member.
D.
Joining the community is incompatible with the pursuit of national interest since any economic integration limits Nigeria's ability to negotiate bilateral trade deals, and it also breaches the non‑interference principle by obligating Nigeria to adopt foreign policy positions. Benefits: none. Drawbacks: loss of diplomatic autonomy and forced alignment with other members' political stances.
Correct Answer
A
Correct Option:
Joining the community conflicts with the non‑interference principle because a common external tariff ties Nigeria to collective decisions, but it can be compatible with the pursuit of national interest if the economic gains (larger market access and investment attraction) outweigh the loss of tariff autonomy. Benefits: larger market access and increased foreign investment. Drawbacks: loss of independent tariff policy and exposure to regional economic shocks.
About This Question
This is
Neco
2018
Government
Question 7.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2018
Neco
Government
examination.
Difficulty level:
Hard
.