WAEC Government 2011 Theory Past Questions

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The functions of government in a state include: I. Maintenance of law and order: Government is responsible for the maintenance of law and order in society, to ensure that everyone complies with the law. II. Defence of the country: Government (through the military) defends the country against invasion from outside. III. Creation of jobs: Government provides job opportunities through establishment of public owned industries and by providing a suitable environment for businesses to be established. IV. Welfare services: Government provides social amenities such as free health care, free education, construction of roads and pipe-borne water. V. Making laws: The legislature is the organ of government responsible for making laws in a country, in order to prevent chaos in society. VI. Conduct of external relations: The executive carries out diplomatic relations with other countries' governments, guided by the country's foreign policy.

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Political participation refers to the involvement of the people of a country in activities geared towards influencing government policies. It is the process by which citizens participate in the political affairs of their country.

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Ways citizens can participate in politics: i. Standing for elections. ii. Writing petitions to government. iii. Discussing politics. iv. Holding public office. v. Registering as a member of a political party. vi. Sponsoring candidates for elections. vii. Voting at elections. (any four)

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Rule of law is the supremacy of the law - both the government and the governed are bound by the provisions of the law, and nobody can act beyond the provisions of the law (A.V. Dicey, 1885). Limitations to its application include: i. Diplomatic immunity: foreign diplomats cannot be tried for crimes in their host country, only asked to leave. ii. State of emergency: rights of the people are usually curtailed during a state of emergency, such as war. iii. Tribunals: administrative tribunals give rulings on judicial matters, which violates the principle of rule of law. iv. Authoritarian government: under military government there is an absence of respect for the rights of the people, and the military junta rather than the rule of law is supreme.

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A two-party system is one in which there are two dominant parties, though other parties may exist, with the two having roughly equal chances of winning elections. MERITS: I. Offers the electorate a straightforward choice between rival programmes and alternative government. II. Promotes stable government by giving a working majority to a single party, preventing instability from coalition government. III. Competition for votes between the major parties promotes accountability of government. IV. More democratic than a one-party system; makes it difficult for government to degenerate into dictatorship. DEMERITS: I. Competition between the two major parties may become unhealthy, dividing the country along party/ideological lines. II. Unfair to small or minority parties, who do not enjoy electorate patronage. III. May lead to irresponsible opposition, as the opposition party may resort to destructive criticism to win favour.

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The Civil/Public Service Commission is the body responsible for promotion, recruitment, discipline and dismissal of civil/public servants; its members are appointed by the President. Functions: I. Recruitment - the body responsible for recruiting people into the Public and Civil Service, after examinations and interviews. II. Retirement - retires civil servants due for retirement. III. Dismissal - has power to dismiss those violating rules and regulations of the service. IV. Promotion - promotes staff from one level to another. V. Discipline - takes disciplinary action against civil servants who violate the rules and regulations. (any four)

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i. Colonial officials had the power to appoint and depose chiefs/traditional rulers they considered rebellious. ii. Colonial rule established law courts to adjudicate disputes; issues were no longer referred to traditional rulers for judgment. iii. Under French colonial rule (policy of assimilation), traditional rulers were removed as political heads of their domains. iv. The establishment of the Legislative Council under colonial rule took away the law-making powers of traditional rulers. v. Proceeds of taxation under colonial rule went to the colonial government rather than the traditional rulers, depleting their revenue base.

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i. The policy of assimilation was a form of direct administration which required heavy financial commitment from France, imposing a heavy financial burden. ii. The policy was not widely applied - only the four principal communes of Dakar, Goree, St Louis and Rufisque enjoyed it fully. iii. Africans' love for their own culture and tradition made them reject the policy, which was based on changing Africans into French citizens without considering their own culture. iv. The policy allowed obnoxious practices such as the indigenat policy (imprisonment without trial) and forced labour, which many Africans opposed.

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(a) Features of the 1979 Republican Constitution: I. Provided for two legislative chambers at the federal level: the Senate and House of Representatives (unicameral at state level). II. Adopted the federal system of government, with constitutional division of powers between central government and component units. III. Introduced the presidential system of government - the President acted as both Head of State and Head of Government. IV. Entrenched fundamental rights of citizens - right to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, private and family life, among others. V. Discouraged dual citizenship (section 26(1)). (b) I. The President could be removed through impeachment by two-third majority of both the Senate and House of Representatives. II. The President could be removed when a resolution passed by two-third majority of members of the executive council of the federation declares the President incapable of discharging the functions of office.

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i. Shortage of fund - local governments are hampered by lack of adequate funding from state and federal government. ii. Shortage of skilled and qualified personnel - due to lack of funds to pay adequate trained staff. iii. Lack of autonomy - state governments control local government finances, hindering developmental projects. iv. Mismanagement of funds, embezzlement and corruption among local government staff. v. Political interference by state governments - e.g. through appointment of caretaker chairmen rather than allowing elections. (any six)

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I. Good governance - civilian administrators should implement beneficial programmes, since military often justifies intervention citing bad governance. II. Military intervention should be outlawed by the constitution and treated as a crime against the state. III. Free, fair and periodic elections - conducted elections seen as credible by all remove justification for military intervention. IV. Ensuring the corporate interest of the military is well taken care of.

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According to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, foreign policy objectives include: I. Promotion and protection of the national interest. II. Promotion of African integration and support for African unity. III. Promotion of international co-operation for the consolidation of universal peace and mutual respect among nations, and elimination of discrimination. IV. Respect for international law and treaty obligations, and settlement of international disputes by negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication. V. Promotion of a just world economic order. (any four)

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I. Exchange of ideas - the Commonwealth offers member states a platform to share and exchange ideas on scientific innovation, education, trade and economic development. II. International platform - offers countries a platform to express their views on issues of concern. III. Granting of aids - poor/developing member states benefit from financial and humanitarian assistance from richer members. IV. Membership allows countries to participate in the Commonwealth Games, promoting friendship among citizens. V. Military assistance - member states benefit from training of military personnel by other member states with superior military. VI. Trade - member states have the opportunity of trading among themselves, driving up revenue.