Marist Brothers’ Juniorate Uturu

Second Term SS1 Government Scheme of Work

Week 1: democracy

1. Meaning of democracy.
2. Origin of democracy.
3. Features of democracy.
4. Types of democracy.
5. Advantages and disadvantages of democracy.

Week2

1. Political culture.
2. Components of political culture.
3. Types of political culture.
4. Need or importance of political culture.

Week 3

1. Political socialization
2. Agents of political socialization.

Week 4

1. Economic system.
2. Communalism.
3. Meaning of communalism .
4. Features merits and demerits of communalism.

b. feudalism.
1. features of feudalism.
2. advantage and disadvantages of feudalism.

c. capitalism.
1. features of capitalism.
2. merits and demerits of capitalism.

Week 5
1. Midterm break.
 2. Socialism.
3. Feature of socialism.
4. Merits and demerits of socialism.

Communism.

1. Features of communism.
2. Differences between socialism and communism.
3. Advantages and disadvantages of communism.

Week 8
mixed economy.
1. Oligarchy
2. Authoritarianism
3. Fascism.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Totalitarianism.
9. Nazism.
 POLITICAL CULTURE
The political culture of a nation is made up of the belief, opinions, emotion, values and attitudes
of its population as expressed in their political system. These include the philosophy of government and
the way people are made to believe. The political culture may include the practice pf government, how
government comes to power either by election or nomination and also include the extent to which
people participate or influences government.
Political culture deals with the nature of people participation in politics and their reaction to
political institutions like the arms of government and government agencies such as water board, PHCN
etc. political culture deals with individuals feeling or perception of politics, determine his political action
over a given issue, example belief in politics as fair and honest means of selecting leaders, reactions
about government programmes and officials, respect for national symbols, respect for constituted
authorities etc.
Politi

cal culture varies from one country to another. It is transmitted from generation to generation with little
changes as people interacts.
Political culture is a product of factors such as- geography, population, traditional norms, socio-
economic development etc. In Nigeria where some individuals and groups are neglected and have note
gained much from the government, will show some negative and uncooperative attitudes like-
embezzlement of public fund, arson, election malpractice apathy to elections, nepotism etc.
The ideas of political culture was propounded by Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba in 1963.

Components of Political Cultures

They are

1. Cognitive Orientation: The knowledge and belief of which individual’s posse about
their political system is known as cognitive orientation. This concerns the roles and persons who
occupy official positions, it poses such questions as how individuals know their history, location,
size of their country and its constitutional arrangement.
2. Affective Orientation: This refers to the feeling of individuals towards their political
system. It includes their patriotic and loyalty to the leadership. It includes feeling of attachment-
involvement or rejection about a political event or issue; for instance, in Nigeria- are the citizens
proud of the country? Or are citizens divided along ethnic group
3. Evaluative Orientation: This refers to the ability to evaluate or access the
performance of the political system. It evaluates the policies of government and pass judgement
 and establish opinion about political objects, whether the organs of government are performing
their function. People rate the performance of political actors and institutions of government.

Types of Political Culture

1. Parochial Political Culture: In this, individuals may not be aware of what happened
beyond their community or tribal group or geo-political zone. It is congruent with a traditional
political structure. The citizens are not interested in what happens at the central government.
They are tribal oriented.
2. Subject Political Culture: in this type of political culture, individuals tend to be
passive, they are not actively involved in the government. They are aware of government
activities but participate little. They are therefore not encouraged to vote or contest election,
join political parties and pressure groups, attend political rallies or attend political debate,
attend public hearing in a public tribunal and sessions of the parliament. These citizens only
obey, but do not participate much. It is found in a concentrated authoritarian political system.
People here live as if they are under a dictatorial government. It is seen in most third countries.
3. Participatory Political Culture: In this type of political culture, individuals are
actively involved in the running of their political system. Individuals have active interest in
government, they are involved in policy making, citizens are able to influence government in
various way by making input and expect that the activities of the government will improve their
living conditions. There exist reciprocal expectations between the people and government.

The Need or Importance of Political Culture

1. The knowledge of political culture helps one to understand different political societies in the
world, the government of each with a view to making the necessary changes to ensure order,
peace and stability.
2. To help citizens of a given country to understand different political changes whether is a
peaceful change, revolution or coups and to know their implication.
3. It is used to determine the level of political participation of citizens in a country it will help to
know their level of political knowledge and exposure.
4. It helps to understand the difference in the behavior of various political system, and
government.
5. It helps citizens to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction about various governmental
policies and programme.
 POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION
Political socialization is the process of acquiring political belief, values, attitudes as well as
citizens training which shapes a citizen’s political behaviour. Through political socialization, citizens learn
and internalizes the political culture of the nation. It expresses a process of making individuals
understand and get accustomed to changes in role demands. Again citizens learn to criticize the
government, if it is not performing; learn to obey laws, respect political leaders and other constituted
authorities, acquire certain behavioral values, acquire knowledge on how government operates. The
citizens of a country are made aware of their nationalistic feeling and loyalty to the nation.
In Nigeria, political socialization involves political orientation and adoption to correct and re-
orient Nigerians to stand of parents; stands against election rigging, quest and lust for money, bribery
and corruption etc. The dimensions of political socialization are- what people learn(learn), when they
learn it (timing), and from whom(agents).

Agents of Political Socialization

1. The Family: The home is the child’s first contact with the family members. Children learn
through observing the political behaviour of parents, children tend to be more political aware
and interested in politics it their parents and either elderly family members are political aware
and interested in politics. Through political discussions in the family. The child learns about
political events in the country. Here the child is prepared for political participation in adult
political life.
2. The School: Educational institutions provide political education for the child. The child
learns new ideas, learns to respect anyone who takes up position of authority such as the
teacher, prefects, learns to admire national leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe etc. the child is taught
personal responsibility, duty to their nation, individual rights etc., in school, different talks,
debates and discussion of political issues are organized and these form the basic tools of
political socialization for a child.
At further education, students play active part in the school politics, when they elect
leaders of student’s union government (SUG); with these they have ideas on how elections are
carried out.
3. The Peer Group: The group one belongs to helps to determine or influence his political
attitudes. The peer group is made up of playmates, classmates and friends.
4. The Mass Media: it is the main source of political information dissemination, the
mass media include the newspaper, radio, television, magazines etc., the mass media engages in
political education. People are socialized through what they read, listen to and watch in the
mass media.
 5. Political Parties: they pass political education through their campaigns, rallies,
seminars and manifesto.
6. Pressure Group: They offer their members leadership training and educate them on
their political rights, duties and obligation. They take part in labour activities.

ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
1

COMMUNALISM
This is an economic system where there is collective ownership of property, means of
production and distribution and cooperation among members of a community in the execution of
developmental projects such as school, market etc. The contribution and proceeds are shares among
them on equal basis. It was also known as primitive system.
It is based on the principle of egalitarianism. It is associated with African communal society, and
on Africans cherished institutions such as kinship connection, age grade system village democracy and
town union authority and also on African value system. It was practiced in Tanzania under the reign of
Julius Nyerere, also in Ghana under the reign of Kwame Nkrumah. Each person cares for their welfare of
the other in communal societies. Other places where it was practiced include- China, Ethiopia, Paris
commune of 1871 etc.

Features of Communalism
1. Collective ownership of property.
2. Members of communal society share common value, culture and identity.
3. Communalism is common in pre-colonial era or communal society such as the Igbo’s during pre-
colonial and colonial era.
4. It encourages free labour and equal opportunities.
5. It fosters love, oneness, cooperation and unity in execution of developmental project.
2. FEUDALISM
Feudalism is a political and economic system based mainly on ownership of land. According
to the feudal theory, the Emperor was the representative of God on earth. The kings of the
earth are the vassals of the emperor. The emperor gave each king a portion of land called
kingdom. Each kingdom was called a fiet (feoff). Every king must pledge to be loyal to the
emperor. The king in turn divided his fief among his loyal vassals. These vassals could also
give out their land to other vassals. Each vassal owed allegiance to his lord.
The king or lord give out land to the people who in return will work and fight for him.
Under feudalism, the slaves were replaced with serfs or also called peasants. The feudal lord
who owes the land can lease out the land to their serf or vassal to work for a certain number
of days and after the serf will own the land.
The feudal lord exploited the serf or vassal and deprive them of their political rights.
This system vested political authority on land owners. It was practiced in western Europe in
the medieval or middle age and in Africa, particularly in the northern Nigeria of Sokoto
caliphate during the pre-colonial period. It created first class citizens.

Origin of Feudalism
The word feudalism was gotten from a Latin word ‘Feudum’ that is fief or fiefdom
meaning land. It originated from the medieval western Europe between 476-1500 AD. The
ownership of land rested in the king, monarch or emperor otherwise referred to as ‘Lord’.
The lord controlled all forms of land allocation and land was the major source of wealth. It
made the feudal lords paramount and dominant, political power and leadership was
therefore placed in their hands. The advent of industrial revolution in Europe led to the
death of feudalism in 1500 AD.

Features of Feudalism
1. Feudalism is based mainly on hierarchical order of land ownership.
2. The lord or king have the right of sovereignty over the manor or estate and over persons
living in it.
3. It was a primitive economic system and only existed in a less developed society.
4. Two major classes existed in a feudal nation, based on service obligation. The feudal
lord gives land to the vassals to work on; the serf works on the land and provide security
(military service) to the lord in return.
5. The ‘fief’ or land is the main source of wealth.
6. The feudal lord owes and controls their means of production and distribution of land
according to his desire.
 Advantages of Feudalism
1. It is a little better than slavery because the serfs are given incentives and relative freedom.
2. The privileged feudal lords had the opportunity to exercise power of sovereignty over people
within their jurisdiction.
3. The landless peasants or common people possess land for agricultural purpose.
4. The lords make use of the vassals to defend their kingdom.
5. There is decentralization of powers among the landlords.

Disadvantages of Feudalism
1. The master- servant relationship between the lords and vassals led to exploitation and oppression of
the poor and weak serfs by the feudal lords.
2. Feudalism encourages a situation where the rich get richer while the poor get poorer.
3. There is constant war among the lords for search of more territories and this tends to create
insecurity of persons and properties.
4. It does not encourage individual initiative and creativity due to master- servant relationship
there is no security of land ownership, the vassal may lose the possession of the land if he dies
without a heir to take over the use of the land which may be reclaimed by the lord.

Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system where the means of production and distribution are owned by
individuals and business associations. It is private ownership of economic resources in the hands of
private enterprise. The raw materials, the machines, the factories are owed and managed by private
individuals, who are not at liberty to dispatch them for use. The guiding principle for capitalism is the the
prices of goods are settled by the forces of demand and supply, this is referred as price mechanism. And
for this reason the capitalist is often accused of being the survival of the fittest; thus the consumer
becomes the object of exploitation. The role of government in this system is limited, government plays a
regulatory role only. The United States of America is usually referred of a capitalist state. Adam Smith is
said to be the father of capitalism; who wrote a book ‘an inquiry into the wealth of a nation’ in 1776.
Capitalism emphasizes individualism.
 Origin of Capitalism
Capitalism started in the 19th century during the industrial revolution in Europe and the rise of
wealthy merchant class in Europe. It led to rapid growth and development in economic activities. The
result is profit or surplus value gained by exploiting workers’ pay.

Features of Capitalism
1. Private Ownership: There is private ownership of means of production such as land, factories,
capital, building, equipment, machines etc.
2. Free Enterprise: Capitalism is characterized by free enterprise, that is the ability to state or
end any business.
3. Profit Maximization: The main motive of a capitalist is to make profit at all cost.
4. Class Struggle: There exist class struggle. The capitalist society is divided into two classes such
as the bourgeoisie (the class that owe capital and properties), and the proletariat (the working
class).
5. Exploitation: Low wages are paid to workers and consumers are exploited by higher prices for
goods and services.
6. Labour and wages are regarded as a marketable instrument.

Merits of Capitalism
1. Capitalism encourages free market enterprise, where people are free to produce whatever
goods they wish to produce.
2. Profit making is what encourages people.
3. It helps to bring out individual initiatives.
4. It promotes handwork and dedication by the entrepreneur.
5. It encourages free competition which produces efficiency and effectiveness in business.
6. It encourages specialization in production, which leads to increase in production and quality of
goods.

Demerits of Capitalism
1. The motive of making profit and subsequently, more money often affects social and political
activities; many people go into business for profit aggrandizement.
 2. It leads to private monopoly, as there is concentration of wealth, income etc; on few individuals
in the society. It results to wide gap between the rich and the poor.
3. It is prone to unhealthy rivalry among producers. It leads TO ECONOMIC INSTABILITY IN THE COUNTRY.
4. It leads to the exploitation of many people by the few privileged individuals in the country. It
results in continues struggle and conflict.
5. There is inequitable distribution of income and wealth.
6. Labour is not well remunerated.

Socialism
Socialism is an economic and political theory, whereby the means of production, distribution
and consumption in the state are controlled by the government of the state. The aim is to ensure the
welfare of the common man. Goods and services are distributed according to citizen’s contribution and
needs. It was practiced in Russia, China, Poland, Tanzania and Cuba etc.

Origin of Socialism
The early origin of socialism is traced to the writings of a political philosopher- Plato, in his work
“The Republic”. He suggested that those who rule must not owe properties of their own, but should
share all things.
The modern origin of socialism was traced to Karl Marx (1818-1883), who was often referred as
the father of socialism. He studied the development of western Europe industrial capitalism. His theory
is variously referred to as ‘Historical Materialism’, Dialectical Materialism, ‘Marxism’. Karl Marx in his
book “The Capital” said that the capitalism (Bourgeoisie) are selfish, they exploit labour in the form of
surplus value. The workers they employ in the factories and farms are subjected to hardship, they are
paid less the amount they are entitled to be paid. They made surplus profit by exploiting the workers or
masses. The workers are not paid their real wages, while the capitalist take the surplus profit, the
workers are alienated from production, that is the workers have no control over what they produce; and
this resulted in conflict between the capitalist class and the working class. In the ensuing struggle, the
workers pool their resources and overthrow the capitalist class and ushered in a new social, political and
economic order(socialism). Marx also predicted that the working class or the proletariats would seize
control of the industries and other means of production as well as the machinery of the state and
administer them on behalf of the society, through a worker’s party (Dictatorship of the proletariats). Karl
Marx’s prediction was to be proved right when a socialist revolution occurred in Russia in 1917 and in
Cuba in 1949, ushering in a socialist regime in those countries.
 Types or Forms of Socialism
1. Democratic Socialism: This theory believes that public goals can be attained
through peaceful means. It believes also that political parties and electioneering process can be
employed to achieve public goals. By democratically winning power and peaceful re-adjusting
the existing system. It ensures the participation of all the citizens in decision making process in
the country, it ensures democracy.
2. Marxian Authoritarian Socialism: This ideological theory believes that
public goals can be attained through violence and destruction of existing capitalist and
democratic institution. There is concentration of political power in the hands of few individuals
usually referred to as the ruling elite.

Features or Characteristics of Socialism

1. State Ownership: Socialism is mainly characterized by state public ownership of all
means of production and resources. This is called social ownership of means of production.
2. Absence of Exploitation: There is absence of exploitation of man’s pay by those
who employ labour.
3. Absence of profit Motive: There is absence of the capitalist profit motive. The
main motive is to render welfare services.
4. Only one political party is often allowed to exist in the state known as the socialist party.
5. It has central planning for all economy, it is centrally planned.
6. Wages and prices are determined by the government and not by the market mechanism.
7. The mass media are under the control of the government.

Advantages of Socialism
1. It leads to equitable distribution of wealth and resources.
2. The economy is centrally planned to avoid neglect of any section or sector.
3. It promotes political stability since only one political party with one ideology exist in the state.
There is absence of official opposition.
4. It helps to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. Reward is based on one’s ability and
needs.
5. The state exists to ensure the welfare of the citizens.
 Disadvantages of Socialism
1. There is absence of economic completion and this leads to slow growth and development of the
economy.
2. It does not encourage individual initiative.
3. The system is prone to the emergence of a dictator, since only one political party exist in the
state.
4. It does not encourage specialization.
5. The absence of any opposing party makes the citizens neither to have any alternative choice nor
to be able to challenge the incumbent party.

Differences Between Capitalism and Socialism

1. In capitalism individuals own means of production and distribution, while in socialism we have
state ownership.
2. In capitalism there is exploitation of man or the proletariats; while in socialism there is absence
of exploitation.
3. In capitalism, the motive is to make profit at all cost; while in socialism the system supports the
welfare of the people.
4. In capitalism, prices are determined by forces of demand and supply; while in socialism, there is
closed market, the economy are centrally planned and government determines wages.
5. In capitalism. There is class struggle; while in socialism we have classless society.

Communism
This is an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are totally
controlled by the government of the state. The states that practiced it are- China, Russia, Poland,
Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania etc.

The Origin of Communism

Communism is derived from a Latin word ‘Communis’ meaning common. The old Soviet Union
practiced a form of communism.
The modern ideology was developed by Karl Marx in his book “The Communist Manifesto”,
which he wrote with his friend and collaborator- Friedrich Engels in 1848.
Marx defined communism as the last stage of socialism, the final stage. It is based on the
principle of ‘from each according to his ability and to each according to his needs. Marx described
communism as the process of the withering away of the state and its machinery which is the
government. Under communism everyone is equal and happy. Communism pre-supposes that there will
be a time the state will wither away and there will be no government. Marx in his writing, stated that
there will always be disagreement between the rich and the poor in the society due to unequal sharing
of resources, this he referred as the “Dialectical Materialism; Marx believes that change occurs in both
man and nature and all these are due to dialectical materialism. It is the material forces that explain
changes. Marx ideal philosophy envisioned the use of violent revolution to achieve the communist
ideals.
Communism is considered by political scientist as ‘Utopia’, because the bliss and happiness it
promises was non-existent anywhere. It is unrealizable throughout the world. No state is fully practicing
communism. In China the state has not withered away and the government is still in existence.

Principles of Communism as a Social and Political Philosophy

The basic principles of communism are found in the book: Communist Manifesto”. These
principles include:
1. There is violent overthrow of capitalist state by the working class or proletariats.
2. The dictatorship of proletariat is the new social and economic order.
3. Abolition of private means of ownership of means of production and property.
4. The disappearance of antagonistic class.
5. There is withering away of the state and its machinery which is the government.
6. The distribution of national income first according to one’s ability and later according to ones need.
7. The ushering in of a society of bliss and extreme happiness which is supposed to be mans natural
environment.

Features of Communism
1. There is violent overthrow of the capitalist society, and the subsequent establishment of the
dictatorship of the proletariats.
2. There is classless society and social and economic equality.
3. There is public ownership of property vested in the community, exercised by a common party.
4. Equitable distribution of national income.
5. It is to usher in a society of bliss.
6. There is a communist party, which have the interest of the workers at heart.

Relationship Between Communism and Socialism

1. Both communism and socialism advocate public ownership of the means of production and
public utilities.
2. In both the working class is known as the proletariats.
3. There is in both a classless society.
 4. In both, there is central planning of the economy.
5. In both there is only a single party and political power is centralized.
6. Both favour more distribution of wealth within the society.
7. Both oppose the exploitation and oppression of man by man, and supports an egalitarian
society.
8. Socialism is realized by peaceful and democratic overthrow of capitalist society; communism is
realized by violent overthrow of capitalist society.

Mixed Economy
This is an economic system in which the private (capitalist) and public (socialist) owes the means
of production and distribution together. The both participate in the regulation, management and
supervision of economic activities in a country. Example-Nigeria.

Features of Mixed Economy

1. Both the private and public sectors are allowed to thrive.
2. The state has exclusive rights in some areas of the economy.

AUTHORITARIANISM
Authoritarianism is a rule system, where authority of ruler is set above liberty of the citizens,
there is strong central government, limited political parties and interest groups. The citizens are forced
to obey and submit blindly to the whims and caprices of the ruler. The citizens’ rights and freedom are
limited. Here the state is regarded as an end in itself, where people are seen as the means to an end.
The government/state controls everything. The examples are- Burundi, Cameroon, China, Saudi Arabia,
United Arab Emirate, Syria etc.

Types or Forms of Authoritarianism

1. Fascism.
2. Totalitarianism.
3. Nazism.

Fascism is a form of government headed by a dictator. The government have absolute control over all
the citizens in the state. The fundamental human rights and liberties of citizens are denied them’ it is
based on aggressive nationalism and appetite for war. This form of government existed in Italy under
Benito Mussolini in 1922.

Features of Fascism
1. Both economic and political activities including the means of production are entirely in the
hands of an absolute government.
2. Political participation is limited.
3. Only one political party- the national fascist party exist and political opposition is not allowed.
4. Violence is seen as the order of the day.
5. It is against anti- labour movement and activities.
6. The state is superior to individuals.

TOTALITARIANISM
Totalitarianism is a political system in which all aspects of life of the citizens are controlled by
the government. Example are

1) Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler.

2) Soviet Union under Joseph Stalion.
3) Samuel Doe in Liberia
4) Idi Amin in Uganda.

Features of Totalitarianism
1. Absolute control of all aspects of the individuals.
2. Only one mass party is allowed.
3. The government solely controls the mass media.
4. There is use of coercion.
5. No political party which criticize the government is allowed.
6. The leader is the law.
7. The use of organized terror to force citizens into submission. Example the Nazi Gestapo (Germany),
Mussolini OVRA (Italy) etc.
 NAZISM
It is a brand of totalitarianism in Germany. It is the belief of superiority of the Aryan German
race over the other races, led by Adolf Hitler between 1933 and 1945. The people are subjected to the
laws and order of the ruler which are supreme and absolute. It is based also on total hatred and
elimination of Jews.

Features of Nazism
1. There is control of economic, political, social aspects of the life of the people.
2. The will of the state is often achieved by the use of force, oppression. Terror is a state policy to
suppress the people.
3. Only one political party is allowed. The only party is the Nazi socialist party.
4. Opposition is not allowed.
5. It is characterized by racism and expansion.
6. The fundamental human rights of the people are violated.

THE STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF GOVERNMRNT

This refers to the specialized units through which the government carries out its functions to the
satisfaction of all in the society. The structure of government is the organs of government. Government
is structured into three main organs or arms namely the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.the
reason for the structure and organization of government is to ensure:

i. Division of labour.
ii. Specialization of functions.
iii. Separation of powers and efficient performance of government functions.
iv. To avoid tyranny of government, which may arise if such functions is concentrated in one hand.

The Legislature

This is the organ or arm of government that make or enact laws, it also amends laws. The
legislature is the body of representatives of the people, who are elected on the platform of a political
party and from a particular constituency.