A PHILOSOPHICAL APPRAISSAL OF RENÉ GIRARD´S ARCHETYPAL SCAPEGOAT HYPOTHESIS IN THE LIGHT OF NIGERIAN MIGRANTS IN GERMANY

Abstract

In view of contributing to René Girard’s scapegoat theory, this article draws on the case of Nigerian immigrants in Germany to philosophically appraise the fate, identity formation and societal positioning of immigrants in civil societies. Its argument is that beyond marginalisation and alienation of immigrants in host societies (emanating mostly as a result of “moments of mimetic crises”-René Girard´s scapegoats hypothesis), immigrants also face additional pressures from their country of origin, where they are often held responsible for the economic hardships of those that they left behind (reverse scapegoating). This dual scapegoating, both in the host society (Germany) and in their homeland (Nigeria) creates a cycle of frustrations, exploitation, and unfulfilled aspirations that leave migrants trapped between two worlds. Engulfed in the two worlds, migrants often end up in a life of unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. By appraising Girard’s theory in this specific socio-cultural context, this article highlights the broader implications of scapegoat mechanism on migration, identity, and societal cohesion, and argues for a critical re-evaluation of these dynamics to foster a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of immigrants’ experiences.