The political economy of doctors' strikes in Nigeria: a Marxist interpretation.

Professions have been traditionally conceptualized as special occupational categories with distinguishing traits called to provide needed service. The social and economic context of these attributes is assumed unproblematic or taken for granted. This study of doctor's strikes in Nigeria critiques this conception and offers a political economy alternative. It analyses professions and their traits within a given context, and in relation to other groups. It is suggested that doctors in Nigeria are a powerful and privileged group, a view they seem to successfully use to pursue their interests.