Implications Of Karl Popper’s Theory Of Incremental Change On The Quest For Socio-Political Revolution In Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Karl Popper (1902 – 1994), a Vienna-born philosopher advanced a liberal theory of

Incremental Change also known as “piece meal social engineering” which prefers

reforms to revolution. He had argued that in view of the ontological fallibility of

human rationality, the safest course in human actions should be to make sure that all

programmes of change are advanced in small steps so that unexpected ill-effects of

any action is closely checked. For him, socio-political revolution is quite ingenious

but also perilously inclined to irrationalism, without consideration of the

unpredictability of human actions and the changeability of phenomenon. He further

notes that, the incremental approach to change involves self-criticism, tactfulness and

certainty and is therefore more scientific in character, while revolutionary approach is

always inspired by holism, utopianism, aestheticism and historicism and it lacks selfcriticism

and also involves much of speculation that often leads to unexpected results.

In recent times, however, there is almost a general consensus among Nigerians that

the socio-political realities in the country need change. And a reasonable population

of Nigerians is arguing that the task of reinventing a new socio-political order in

Nigeria can only be realised through a revolution by the masses owing to the

disposition and unpreparedness of the ruling class to alter the status quo. This work

therefore seeks to demonstrate the implication of Karl Popper’s theory of incremental

change on the increasing quest for socio-political revolution in Nigeria with the aim

of proposing an option for Nigeria in her quest for a socio-political transformation and

sustainable development.