Government

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This syllabus assesses the candidates’ ability to

(a) define the concepts of Government and show their understanding of its principles, institutions, and processes.

(b) recognize their role as informed citizens and their contributions towards the achievement of national development.

(d) analyze the constitutional developments and processes of colonial and post-independent government.

(e) appreciate the role of their country as a member of the international community.

SCHEME OF THE EXAMINATIONS There will be two papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2, both of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 will be composite and will be taken at one sitting.

PAPER 1: This will consist of fifty multiple-choice objective questions drawn from the entire syllabus. Candidates will be required to answer all the questions in 1 hour for 40 marks.

PAPER 2: This will be a 2-hour essay-type test consisting of Sections A and B: Section A: Elements of Government Shall contain five questions out of which candidates shall be required to attempt any two. Section B: Political and Constitutional Developments in West Africa and International Relations Shall have sets of five questions each; one set for one member country. Each candidate is to answer two questions chosen from the set on the country in which he/she is taking the examination. The paper shall carry 60 marks.

DETAILED SYLLABUS

SECTION A: ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT

1. MEANING AND SCOPE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER – GOVERNMENT

(i) Government as an institution of the state. Definition of state, features, structure, and functions.

(ii) Government as a process or art or governing.

(iii) Government as an academic field of study – reasons for studying government.

2. BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT

(i) Basic concepts – State, *Society, *Nation, Power, Authority, Legitimacy, Sovereignty, Democracy, Political Culture and Socialization, Communalism, Feudalism and oligarchy, *Liberalism, Socialism, Communism, Capitalism, Fascism, Aristocracy, Totalitarianism. Meaning and features.

(ii) Basic principles – Rule of Law, Fundamental Human Rights, Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances, Constitutionalism, Political participation, Representative Government, Centralization and Decentralization – (Delegated Legislation, Devolution, and Decentralization).

3. CONSTITUTIONS

(i) Definition and Sources

(ii) Functions

(iii) Types and Features, (Written and Unwritten, Rigid and Flexible). 4. ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT The Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary – Judicial Independence. (Types, Structure, Composition/membership; Functions; powers and limitations).

5. STATE STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF GOVERNMENT

(a) Types - Unitary, Federal, Confederal, Presidential or Non-parliamentary, Parliamentary or Cabinet, Monarchical, and Republican. Meaning, types, features, merits, and demerits.

6. CITIZENSHIP

Meaning, mode of acquisition, rights, duties, and obligations of individuals in the state. Means of safeguarding rights of citizens.

7. POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMS

(i) Political Parties – definition, organization/structure, and functions.

(ii) Party Systems – definition, types, merits, and demerits.

8. PRESSURE GROUPS, PUBLIC OPINION, AND MASS MEDIA

(i) Pressure Groups – definition, types, mode of operation, and functions;

(ii) Public opinion – definition, formation, Measurement, and importance;

(iii) Mass Media – definition, roles, and impact.

9. THE ELECTORAL SYSTEMS, PROCESSES, AND ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODY

(a) Electoral Systems and Processes

(i) Election- Meaning and purpose of elections.

(ii) Franchise – meaning, and limitations.

(iii) Types, advantages, and disadvantages of Electoral Systems.

(b) Electoral Management Body – definition, function, problems/constrains.

10. PUBLIC/CIVIL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION

(i) Public/Civil Service – Meaning, Structure, Characteristics, and Functions.

(ii) Public/Civil Service Commission –meaning and Functions.

iii) Public Corporations – definition, purposes, functions, control, challenges, need for commercialization, and privatization.

(iv) Local Governments – Meaning, structure, Purposes, Functions, Sources of revenue, control, and problems.

SECTION B: POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN WEST AFRICA AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

11. PRE-COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEM OF CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES

The Structural Organization of the following:

(a) Nigeria - Hausa/Fulani, the Yoruba, and the Igbo

. (b) Ghana - The Akan and the Talensi.

(d) The Gambia - The Wolof, Mandingo and Jola.

(e) Liberia - The Vai and the Kru.

12. COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION

(i) The Policy and Structure of the British Colonial Administration – Crown Colony, Protectorate, and Indirect Rule.

(ii) The Policy of French Colonial Administration – Assimilation and Association (Loi Cadre).

(iii) Impact, Advantages, and disadvantages of Colonial Rule.

13. NATIONALISM IN CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES

(i) Nationalism: Meaning, factors, and effects.

(ii) Key Nationalist leaders/movements and their contributions.

14. CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES

(i) Pre-Independence Constitutions -

(a) Nigeria (features) - Clifford 1922 Richards 1946 Macpherson 1951 Littleton 1954

(b) Ghana (features, merits, and demerits) -

Clifford 1916 Guggisberg 1925 Burns 1946 Arden Clarke 1951 Nkrumah 1954

(c) Sierra Leone (features, merits, and demerits) - Slatter 1924 Stevenson 1947 Beresford Stooke 1951 The 1956 and 1958 Constitutions.

(d) The Gambia (features, merits, and demerits) - 1947, 1951, 1954, 1960, 1962, and 1963 Constitutions.

(ii) Post-Independence Constitutions – Features

(a) Nigeria - Independence Constitution, 1960 Republican Constitution 1963 The 1979 and 1989 Constitutions 1999 Constitution - Origin, features, strength and Weaknesses.

(b) Ghana - Independence Constitution, 1957 Republican Constitution 1960 2nd Republican Constitution 1969 3rd Republican Constitution 1979 4 th Republican Constitutions 1992.

(d) The Gambia - Independence Constitution 1965 Republican Constitution 1970. 2nd Republican Constitution 1997

(e) Liberia - Independence/Republican Constitution 1947 2nd Republican Constitution 1985

15. DEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES

- Nigeria

- Sierra Leone

- The Gambia

- Liberia

Formation, Objectives, Sources of Finance, Achievements, and Failures

16. MILITARY RULE IN THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES.

- Nigeria

- Ghana;

- Sierra Leone