Diminishing Powers of Traditional Leaders: the Case for Dinka Bor Social Revival
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Diminishing Powers of Traditional Leaders: The Case for Dinka Bor Social Revival Daniel Leek Geu Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the African Languages and Societies Commons, and the Philosophy of Science Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Daniel Leek Geu has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Gerald Regier, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Chizoba Madueke, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. George Kieh, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Diminishing Powers of Traditional Leaders: The Case for Dinka Bor Social Revival by Daniel Leek Geu MA, American Military University, 2012 BS, North Dakota State University, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University August 2020 Abstract The impact of diminishing powers of Dinka Bor traditional leaders is affecting how the community is recovering from the protracted civil war in South Sudan. Many people are traumatized and most of the population are young of whom many are orphaned children of war growing up in poverty and violence. The problem is that Dinka Bor traditional leaders have lost governing powers over their people in the villages across Jonglei State. Thus, as civilians return to rebuild their lives but no stable system of governance is present in the remote villages to guide and protect the people. The research question addressed was about how the lack of a robust system of governance and empowered leadership enabled social problems and internal conflicts within the Dinka Bor community. Contributing factors were found to be lack of discipline and education among heavily armed and unemployed Dinka Bor youth. Using Burn’s transformational leadership theory and Kelling and Wilson’s broken window theory, 15 participants from Dinka Bor community in the Diaspora were interviewed in this qualitative case study to gain insights on the phenomenon affecting the people. The findings in this study concluded that lack of power and influence limited Dinka Bor traditional leaders from preventing interclan conflicts and enforce social cohesions that could keep peace and harmony among the communities because the civil war destroyed indigenous system of governance. Traditional leaders should be empowered to govern citizens and solve social issues in the Dinka Bor communities across villages. The implications for social change include creating hybrid governance structures that will merge traditional, and contemporary governing systems to promote peace and stability in Jonglei State. Diminishing Powers of Traditional Leaders: The Case for Dinka Bor Social Revival by Daniel Leek Geu MA, American Military University, 2012 BS, North Dakota State University, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University August 2020 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the Lord God Almighty, my Creator, Protector and Provider of all gifts and provisions that made my life function, helpful, and useful to me and others around me. Thank You Lord my God for saving and sparing my life when most of my generation perished in the war of liberation in South Sudan (1987-1992)! Secondly, I am dedicating this dissertation to the American people and all social institutions for allowing a helpless refugee from Africa to come to the United States for a chance to pursue better life. I am grateful for all the opportunities given to me since I arrived to the USA on 12 April1995, from entry level jobs to serving in the United States Army. I was given educational opportunities that started with English as a second language (ESL), earning GED diploma, and the fascinating journey of tertiary education which has culminated in attaining my doctorate in public policy and administration. It is my hope and aspiration to live a life that help other human beings reach their potential in life, and I pray that I succeed as an agent of positive social change. Thirdly, this dissertation is dedicated to my parents with gratitude and humility: Geu Deng Leek and Ayak Gai Malual who sacrificed their youth, dedicated their lives to raise me and my siblings since I was born around 1971 timeframe until I left home in 1987 as a result of civil war. My loving parents continued their care of my siblings, mostly my mother while my father participated as a rebel Soldier with the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA). Baba and Mama, I have reached the pinnacle of education because you have taught me all I needed to persevere and succeed in life. On the same token, my life journey would have not been successful without the help of my paternal uncles, Paul Kuol Aguto Akau, Solomon Kuol Deng-Adak Akau, and Solomon Manyang Jok Leek for the pivotal roles each of them played in my life after I separated from my parent (1987-1993). Thank you ever so much! With God’s help, I will use my education whenever and wherever possible to bring a positive social change, to add value to the lives of other people in ways I hope would make you proud. Finally, I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my generation, the “Red Army” of South Sudan, those who have died during the war of liberation, and the living. I should have died in combat or from diseases that killed many of my brothers and sisters, but somehow I was spared for reasons not yet revealed or manifested completely. It is my hope and constant prayer to live a worthy life, and be helpful and respectful to honor your sacrifices and to serve the people one day in the land cemented with your precious blood. To my compatriots and companions in exile, the “Lost Boys and Girls” of South Sudan in America, it is with great pride to be counted as one of you. I am ever proud as a member of such a dedicated, caring, and hardworking citizens of the world. I know very well that the journey does not end here as many of us are still marching forward. I am dedicating this milestone to all my brothers and sisters who are working so hard to support their families and communities here in the diaspora and back home in Africa. Acknowledgments It is my pleasure to give thanks to my academic research committee members; Dr. Gerald Regier who was the committee chair. Thank you ever so much Dr. Regier for giving your time to guide me through the entire processes of my research study! I truly believe that God brought you specifically to help me complete this academic journey. I appreciate the many hours we spent on the phone, with you patiently providing me feedbacks and timely email and text message responses whenever I reached out with questions or concerns. I am grateful to Dr. Chizoba Madueke, second committee member; and Dr. George Kieh, University Research Reviewer. Your invaluable feedbacks and recommendations after each dissertation review helped me a great deal. I would also like to thank Meghan Irving, Dissertation Editor (Form &Style Review) for providing feedback. Thank you very much for being part of my academic journey. I would like to acknowledge the following individuals in their respective order of contributions and influence in my academic journey: Dr. John Maluk Yak, my friend and a brother who graduated from the Walden University. Thank you so much brother for being kind enough to share your experience and insights! You helped set me up for success and I appreciate it. I am grateful to Erjok Ayoor Apech Erjok, he is my peer in both military and academic levels, although way younger by age. Erjok was the one who encouraged and made me joined the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC) in 2007, North Dakota State University. Although I had served in the military before, I was not aware of the ROTC and did not think that I would qualify, but Erjok encouraged me to give it a shot and that was the best decision of my life. I am grateful also to Reuben Guguei Panchol Duot, my maternal cousin and a close friend. Thank you for being my soundboard throughout my academic journey, you were there to answer my calls, text and email messages. I acknowledged all brothers and sisters from Bor Community, Jonglei State and other regions of South Sudan and other friends who supported me financially when my scholarship maxed out for two semesters. Thank you so much! Finally, this PhD belongs to my family! I am grateful to my wife Akon Makeer Galuak Akol, thank you for raising our children while I pursue my education! To my children: Deng, Ayen, Makeer, Nyandeng, Aluel, Grace Acholgop, and Erjok. Thank you so much for being patient, obedient, helpful and respectful to each other, your loving mother and me. I couldn’t have achieved the highest level of education without your support. I love you sincerely! I owe you everything and I pray to God Almighty to give me a chance to bless each of you with a life worth your sacrifices and patience! Thank you my participants, I won’t mention your names because this dissertation research was confidential but I appreciate your volunteer participation.