CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION II

COURSE OUTLINE
1. Government, political parties and elections
2. Arms of government
3. Constituted authority
4. National authority
5. National ethics and discipline
6. Environmental protection

GOVERNMENT, POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTION

By government, we mean the structures and systems by which decisions and rules are determined and
enforced for all members of the society. In other words, government determines and enforces decisions
on all members of the society. By an extension, government may be referred to as a set of political
institutions whose responsibility is to regulate the affairs of the people in a state. It is a series of activities
whose objective is to achieve the purpose of the state.
The word government comes from a Latin word meaning steering of a ship. The people forming the
government constitute only a small proportion of the whole body of citizens but they control the actions
of the state. There are three fields of government i.e the word government connotes three different
meanings. They include:
1. Government as a course of study i.e as an academic disciple. This sees government as a social science
subject which deals with the study of formal state institutions and political relationships.
2. Government as a process or an art of governing whereby people are voted to power to carry out some
functions
3. The third fields of study of government talk of government as an agent or an institution of the state. As an
agent or institution of the state therefore, government is the most massive and effective of the
instruments, which men have constructed to maximize their won power to be what they want to be and
this constitutes their freedom.
FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
1. They maintain law and order and good government.
2. They protect lives and properties of Nigerian citizens.
3. They make laws that are binding the citizens.
4. They implement and interprete laws.
5. They maintain a good and friendly diplomatic relations with other countries.
6. They ensure the protection of lives and properties of Nigerian’s citizens residing abroad.
7. They protect the sovereignity and territorial integrity if the country by forestalling and quelling internal
insurrection and repelling external aggression.
8. They promote the welfare and comfort of the citizenry by evolving programmes for those working,
unemployment benefits, old age benefits, public health services and good shelter for all the citizens and
ensure efficient functioning of government services.
9. They protect the fundamental human rights if the citizens and ensure that social justice is availed
aggrieved citizens if and when they seek redness.

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 10. They harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, dynamic and
self-reliant economy.
11. Political Responsibility: government performs certain political activities like conducting periodic
elections to ensure peaceful change of government.

SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT
1. PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT:
In this system of government, the president combines two functions of head of state and that of the head
of government. There is a clear principle of separation of power,that is separation of the three branches of
government is firmly entrenched in the system. In theory, it implies that the same individual cannot
perform any two of legislative, executive and judiciary functions at the same time. The system operates
when the President is elected by the voters in a separate national election. He is elected on merit, amd not
necessarily because he is a leader of any political party with a majority of seats in the legislature. Nigeria,
Ghana, Canada, U.S.A e.t.c. practice this system.
2. PARLAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT:
Parliamentary is a system of government in which the two functions of Head of State and Head of
government are performed by two separate individuals. In this system of government, there is a close
relationship between the executive and the legislative branch. The leader of the majority party in
parliament is appointed prime minister. There is therefore fusion of power as members of the executive
are also member of either of the two Houses of Parliament. The Cabinet members are collectively
responsible to the parliament. Once a decision has been taken by the majority members of the Cabinet on
government policies, such decisions are binding on all of them irrespective of whether a member agrees or
disagree with such a policy decision. It is a practice in Great Britain, Holland etc. Nigeria practiced the
system in the first Republic.
3. COLLEGIATE OR CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT:
This is similar to the presidential system of government as it equally applies the doctrine of separation of
power. However, in both the federal or central and state or cantonal governments, the executive is a
council of five to nine persons usually elected by the legislature for a fixed number of years, about four
years. The federal council is not however responsible to the legislature for its continuation in office.
Switzerland is an example.
4. FEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT:
A system of government where the power of government are divided between the national or central
government and the government of the component states in which each is legally supreme in its own
sphere of authority. Each government within a federation has its defined duties and it is confined to those
duties alone and no other government will be empowered to exercise such powers accruing to another. In
other words, a federal system of government exists where there is division of powers between the central
and the regional government, with each being independent in its own sphere of constitution powers. The
powers of both the central government and the component units derive from the same source, the
constitution. It equally encourages mass political participation, since constitutional governments exist at
various levels. Nigeria, Australia and U.S.A are examples of countries with federal constitution.
5. UNITARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT:
A untary system of government is a system where governmental powers are exclusively vested in one level
of government. In other words, it is a system of government that operates in a country where there is a
concentration of political powers in the hand of the central government. Power emanates from only one

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source. There is no constitutional division of powers between the centre and the subordinate government.
There is less political conflict of authority in untary system. Britain and France operate this system of
government.
6. CONFEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT:
Confederal system of government is a political arrangement in which autonomous or soverign states come
together to form a union in which ultimate power of government resides in the regions, thereby rendering
the centre very weak. The rules of the regional governments have greater influence over the affairs of its
society than the rules of the federation. It is otherwise called “Quasi-Federalism or loose Federalism”.

FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
1. Capitalist government: a form of government where private ownership and control of the means of
production is the general rule. Government ownership is the exception and is kept down to a
minimum. The guiding principle of the capitalist system is the profit motive.
2. Socialist government: a form of government which advocates that the means of production and
distribution, the management of land and capital and the productive mechanism should be owned,
controlled and managed by the state.
3. Communist government: refers to a concept of class struggle within the society. Those who owns
the means of production , capital, and exploit the workers whom they employ to operate these
means of production are called the Bourgeoisie and the other class are those who operate the
means of production but do not own them. They are called the exploited class or the proletariat.
4. Federal government: a form of government based on a hierarchical order of land ownership.
5. Monarchial government: a form of government in which political power is vested in one person
called a king or queen.
6. Aristocratic government: a form of government where the rule by few is for the benefit of all the
citizens.
7. Democratic government: a government of the people by the people and for the people i.e
government of the majority.
8. Republican government: a political system in which powers is broadly based and leaders are
chosen through elections rather than through hereditary.
9. Diarchical government: a government by two independent authorities especially military and
civilian in the same government.
10. Fascist government: a form of Italian system of totalitarian government in which all authority and
rights within the state originate from the leader who is not only supreme but equally above the law.
11. Oligarchy government: a form of government in which political power is in the hands of a few i.e
government of the few for the interest of the few.
12. Totalitarianism government: a form of government in which all aspects of life is controlled by the
government. The totality of the citizens’ existence is subject to government determination and
regulation.
13. Communalism government: a political arrangement which emphasizes community feelings and
togetherness. It is based on the belief that in the traditional setting there was some symbiotic
relationship among men.

PROCESSES OF AN ELECTION

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 Election can be defined as a method by which citizens of a given country confer mandate, by casting
their vote, for candidates of their choices for the purpose of representing their aggregated interests
in national affairs. In other words, election is the democratic means by which people choose their
representatives or rulers. Electoral Commission is a statutory body established to coordinate,
supervise and conduct elections into various elective positions in a given society. Examples are
FEDECO, NEC, NECON, INEC etc.
Electoral process refers to the procedure to be followed in electing candidates into the legislative
and or executive arm of government of a country. The various processes of an election include the
following:
1. PROMULGATION OF ELECTORAL LAWS
2. DELIMITATION OF CONSTITUENCIES
3. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
4. ESTABLISHMENT AND EQUIPMENT OF POLLING STATIONS
5. RECRUITMENT/ PROCEREMENT OF ELECTORAL OFFICIALS AND ELECTORAL MATERIALS
6. FIXING OF DATE OF ELECTION
7. NOMINATION OF CANDIDATE
8. POLITICAL CAMPAIGN
9. CASTING THE BALLOT/VOTING
10. ELECTION PETITIONS/TRIBUNALS
CONDITIONS FOR A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION
1. Universal Adult Suffrage
2. Revision of Voters’ Registration
3. Fair Delimitation of Constituencies
4. Opportunity to Choose Candidates
5. Secret Ballot
6. Equality of votes
7. Candidates’ freedom to campaign
8. Impartial law enforcement offices
9. Independent and impartial electoral commission
10. Public counting and declaration of results
11. Observation of the electoral law

THE ROLES OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN AN ELECTION

A political party refers to a body of men and women that share similar ideological beliefs and
principles about the operations of government and who work in concert for the purpose of gaining
control of political power. The function of political parties include the following:
1. They select office holders
2. Aggregation of interest
3. They organize and present programs to the electorate’ and simplify the task of making choices for
the electorates
4. Political parties discuss and debate political issues and thus educate members of the public
5. The existence of alternative parties make peaceful change of government possible.

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6. They unite members of the public who are not office holders and those holding offices under one
label and this facilitates political communication
7. The existence of political parties and programs makes it possible to enforce the notion of
accountability and responsibility
8. Political parties being national organizations may help to unite citizens from different parts of the
country and cut across ethnic or religious lives, thus promoting national unity

ARMS OF GOVERNMENT
In virtually all societies, three distinct arms of governments are set up and recognized to take
charge of the three basic functions of government. The three arms, organs and branches of
government are:
1. The Legislature
2. The Executive
3. The Judiciary

THE LEGISLATURE:
Legislatures are the arms of government that makes law for smooth running of the society. It could
be bicameral or unicameral. They perform other vital functions of their respective system which
include:
1. They represent the citizens, constituencies and groups
2. They control the activities of other branches of government through the legislative investigation
committee
3. They control public funds and expenditures
4. They ratify/approve appointment of public holders
5. They keep the majority or governing party on its toes through the provision of effective
opposition
6. They educate members of the public through public debates on issues and policies
7. They can impeach political officers e.g the President, Governor etc found guilty of having
committed gross misconduct
8. It is within legislative competence to declare war and summon forces to ward off invasion
9. The legislature have power to amend constitution
10.Legislature provides training grounds for future leaders

THE EXECUTIVES
The executive is the central institution of government that administer and could laws and
policies made by the legislature. There are two types of executive, the council and the presidential
execute. They perform the following functions:
1. They confer honor on people
2. The execute/implement laws made by the legislature
3. The president appoints the country’s Ambassador or Diplomats to foreign countries and receives
Ambassador/Diplomats from foreign countries subject to the approval of the Senate.
4. They appoint members of cabinet and heads of executive agencies
5. They make treaties like foreign countries subject to the approval of the Senate/House of
Representatives

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 6. They exercise judicial powers of prerogative of mercy
7. The President appoints Justice of Supreme Court, subject to the recommendations of the judicial
service commissions
8. They assent to bills to become laws
9. The president declares state of emergency/war subject to the approval of the senate
10.They present an annual financial proposal inform of appropriation bill

THE JUDICIARY
The judiciary, the third branch of government stands apart from both the legislature and
the executive. It performs the following functions
1. It interprets the constitution
2. It punishes offenders of the law
3. It interprets the law made by the legislature
4. It settles disputes between aggrieved parties e.g. individuals, cooperate bodies, government,
e.t.c
5. It reviews the actions of both the legislature and the executive
6. It makes law through judicial pronouncement and precedents
7. It performs ceremonial functions e.g. the administration of oaths of offices
8. It preserves fundamental human rights
9. It compels the executive to perform its duties
10. It performs administrative functions e.g. carrying out probating wills, management of estates in
the interest of children below 18 years, marriages, divorces, affidavits etc

INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY
1. APPOINTMENT: the appointment of justice of supreme courts , federal high courts judges and
judges of other courts were done by the president/governor on the advice of the judicial service
commission and subject to the approval or confirmation of the Senate or House of assembly as
the case may be
2. Appointment, dismissal and disciplinary control of magistrates, judges and members of the courts
and customary courts are vested in the state judicial service commission
3. The salaries and allowances of judges are prescribed by law, removed from annual vote by the
legislature by being made a permanent charge on the consolidated revenue fund of the
federation or state
4. There should be a definite tenure of office to guide against impartial decision and judgement

THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MASS MEDIA IN NIGERIA

The mass media, also known as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, refers to the print and
electronic media i.e. newspapers, radio, and television and other means by which the general public
is informed, enlightened, entertained and mobilized for various issues touching their lives and
interest in general. The mass media plays a vital role in the collection, dissemination and promotion
of ideas, in mobilizing opinions and enlightening the people on their rights, duties, and obligations
in the society.

HINDERANCES TO THE PERFORMANCE OF MASS MEDIA

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 1. Pro-western orientation in areas such as training programming and ideological dispositions
2. Poor quality of reports, feature and articles and programs
3. Corruption
4. Sensational, ethnic motivated and bias reporting
5. Over-concentration of mass media activities in the urban centres to the neglect of rural areas
6. Promotions of unacceptable and highly immoral behavior e.g. through television, cinema, films,
advertisement, jingles etc

CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY
Constituted authority can be defined as the law, the belief that power is being exercised
lawfully or rightly. It equally means the holders of power have authority, the right to dominate or
rule and the right to expect obedience. Put differently, authority refers to power over, or control
of individuals that is socially accepted as right and proper. Authority denoted legitimate power
that is institutionalized. Those given the right to use legitimate powers are said to be in positions
of authority.

TYPES OF AUTHORITY
According to Max Webber, he categorized legitimate authority into 3:
1. Traditional authority
2. Charismatic authority
3. Legal-rational authority

BUREAUCRACY

Bureaucracy is a system of administration marked by officialism, red tape, and proliferation. It is also defined as
an hierarchical system for coordinating rationally the work of many individuals through a division of labourand
a chain of authority.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BUREAUCRACY
1. Specialization/division of labour
2. A chain of command or hierarchy of authority
3. A body of rules and regulations
4. Formally/ impersonality i.e. first come, first serve’
5. Training
6. Reward system/fixed salary/promotion
7. Career orientation: appointments in bureaucratic organizations are to be based on technical
qualifications and employees are protected against arbitrary dismissal
8. Probationary appointment
9. Documentation

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10. Discipline

DELEGATED AUTHORITY IN A MODERN STATE

Delegated authority can be defined as the process whereby an individual or group transfers to
some individual or group the duty of carrying out some particular action and at the same time, taking
some particular decision. In other words, authority is delegated when decision making power is vested
in a subordinate by a superior. It involves entrusting some parts of the work of management to
subordinates.

POWER
Power, according to the famous British writer, Bertrand Russail is an instrument of
coercion with a physical effect. Power is the ability to make people do what they would not otherwise
have done. It refers to the ability to influence the actions in accordance to one’s end. Power can be
defined as a relationship among persons in which one actor induces others to act in some way they
would not otherwise act.

AUTHORITY
Is a form of power based on the recognition that the person exercising the power has the right to do.
This is based on the accepted rules of the society as authority is a relationship between the ruler and
the ruled which confers on the ruler, the power and legitimacy for his actions. Authority is the legitimate
possession of power i.e. an institutionalized power.

INFLUENCE
Is the ability to make a person do something without having the capacity to force him to do it e.g. a
traditional ruler may prevail on a state governor to tar a road in his domain, but he cannot compel the
governor to do do. Thus, it is possible to have influence without power, but a powerful person is usually
influential.

LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERSHIP

Leadership as a term is used to denote the process through which one member of a group influences
other group members towards attainment of shared group goals. According to Fulmer (1977) leadership
is defined as the ability to influence people so that they will work willingly to achieve the goals of the
leader or the group he represents. A leader then is the group member who exerts the most influence
within the group.
Followership on the other hand refers to the attitude of people who willingly subject themselves to the
influences of a leader in order to achieve shared group goals. Both leaders and followers are needed
before societal objectives can be achieved. A leader exists so long more people are following but while
leaders are minority, followers are in majority.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER

1. A good leader articulates a clear inspiring vision to followers
2. A good leader pays attention to and support individual needs of the follower
3. A good leader serves as a charismatic model to followers
4. A good leader creates lots of opportunities for his followers

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 5. A good leader is easily accessible by his followers. He is not isolated
6. A good leader is open, honest, and transparent
7. A good leader seeks the good of all and not his or her selfish interest
8. A good leader involves others in decision making process and encourages the participation of the
groups’ various activities

QUALITIES OF A GOOD FOLLOWER

1. Good follower are loyal to the leader and his vision
2. Good follower are committed to the achievement of shared group goals and the ideas of the leader
3. Good follower are disciplined in all areas of their life
4. Good follower take instruction from their leader and obey him so as to achieve the goals of the group
5. Good follower take active part in activities of the group
TYPES OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS
1. Autocratic or dictatorship leadership
2. Participative or democratic leadership
3. Laissez-faire or free region leadership
ROLES OF LEADERS IN NATION BUILDING
1. They provide a vision of the future or of what the nation can and should accomplish
2. They provide a pathway to development
3. Leaders are builders, who in spite of all odds, usually encourage and motivate their followers to
contribute to their own quota to the development of the nation.
4. Good leaders reconcile divergent members to achieve a common goal
5. They maintain high sense of discipline and intergrity
6. Leaders demonstrate high degree of commitment, patriotism and selfless in their bid to build the nation
7. Leaders must be agents of positive influence to followers in order to move the nation forward
ROLES OF FOLLOWERS IN NATION BUILDING
1. Followers must be loyal and supportive of the ideals espoused by the leaders
2. Followers must be dependable, reliable and trustworthy if the nation must develop
3. They must show high level of commitment to the development agenda of the nation
4. Followers must not only think in terms of what they can benefit from their nation but think of what they
can contribute to develop the nation
5. Followers must demonstrate high sense of discipline in order to develop the nation