The monograph, Nigeria's Perplexed Democracy and the Need for a Social Philosophy," examines the strengths and weaknesses of some of the various frameworks for understanding the reason why democracy is not as effective as it ought to be in Nigeria. Without discrediting the various explanatory models, the author argues that, in addition to addressing issues raised by the various models, it is important for the Nigerian state to give primacy to the development of a social philosophy by returning to the reflection table to determine the appropriate form of society and values that are suitable for handling the peculiar challenges confronting her in her strive for a democracy which can engender development.