All 50 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Government 2013 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
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Government can be defined as the study of
Government can be defined as the study of how people govern themselves. As a social science discipline, it is taught in tertiary institutions as political science.
Which of the following is not an acceptable function of government?
Functions of government include defence of the state against foreign invasion, enlightening the public about their rights and public policy, and provision of social amenities. Governments do not engage in the act of subversion (at least openly), which is the attempt to weaken or destroyed the governments of other states.
Which of the following is a feature of a state?
One of the features of the state that differentiates it from other groups, like nation or society, is that a state has definite territory (territorial boundary).
As a political ideology, communism seeks to
Communism seeks to eliminate all forms of socio-economic inequalities by creating a classless society organised on the principle of ‘from each according to his ability and to each according to his needs’.
Totalitarianism means a government headed by a
A totalitarian government is headed by a dictator who exercises absolute powers and control over almost every aspects of citizens' life.
Monarchy means government headed by a
A monarchy is a system of government by an individual called King or queen. There are two types of monarchical system of government: absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy.
The rule of law is observed when
Democracy is the system of government in which the people exercise their governing powers either directly or indirectly through elected representatives. The rule of law, which emphasises the supremacy of the rule over everyone in the state, is best observed under a democratic government.
Delegated legislation is necessary because it
The flexible nature of delegated legislation makes it possible for bodies with delegated legislation to make rules and to revoke such rules when they are no longer relevant. Delegated legislation is therefore necessary because it allows for quick decision making in national emergency.
One of the criticisms against delegated legislation is that it
Delegated legislations are laws made by non-legislative bodies. It gives the agencies under the executive arm of government the powers and responsibility for law-making. This takes away some of the law-making powers of the parliament, i.e. it encroaches on parliamentary power.
Fundamental Human Rights seek to
Fundamental human rights are the privileges or inalienable rights that all human beings are expected to enjoy by virtue of their humanity. The purpose of fundamental Human Right is to promote the dignity of man.
Constitutionalism implies that
Constitutionalism means adherence to or respect for the provisions of the constitution. It implies that leaders should act according to the dictates of the constitution.
Which of the following is not a source of a country's constitution?
Writ of mandamus is a type of order issued by a court to an agency of government. It is not a source of a country's constitution.
Which of the following is not within the scope of a constitution?
Coup d'état is defined as the taking over of governmental powers through unconstitutional means by the military. It is not within the scope of a country's constitution.
Centralization of power is a feature of a
A unitary system of government is one in which political powers are concentrated in the central government alone. There is a high degree of centralization of power in a unitary state.
In a unitary state, governmental powers are concentrated at the
Governmental powers are concentrated in the centre in a unitary state.
Which of the following is true of a parliamentary system of government?
Collective responsibility is a principle of government as practised in parliamentary systems. The principle of collective responsibility means that the Prime-minister and his cabinet are collectively responsible to the parliament, and the credit or blame for a particular policy is shared by all members of the cabinet.
The system of government in which the president acts as the head of state and the head of government is a
In a presidential system of government, the president acts as both the head of state and head of government. He performs ceremonial as well as executive functions.
Which of the following is a feature of a confederation?
A confederation is a system of government in which sovereign states come together to form a loose political union in which sovereignty resides with the component units. Under such a system, the component units have the legal right to secede from the political union at any time they desire.
Which of the following is a factor in the formation of a federation?
For a federal system of government to be adopted by the diverse people of a state, there must be desire on their part for a union. That is, the diverse people must be willing to co-exist under a single government. (Note: per the printed answer key the correct option is labelled D — geographical contiguity.)
The formation and implementation of policies are the major duties of the
The executive is the organ of government responsible for the formulation and implementation of government policies. The organ includes not just the president and prime-ministers, but also the police, ministries and departments of the government.
Bicameralism is adopted because it
A Bicameral legislature is one with two legislative chambers. One of the reasons why this type of legislature is adopted is because it constitutes a check upon the hasty passage of bills into laws by a single chamber. The existence of two legislative chambers prevents arbitrary law making which is likely to be the case if there is only one legislative chamber.
Parliamentary filibuster refers to a
Parliamentary filibuster is a method used in the parliament to delay the passage of a bill into law by making long speeches.
Which of the following functions is performed by the executive?
The executive help in the implementation of government policies.
When a court of law declares an action of the executive ultra-vires, it implies that
When a court declares an action of the executive ultra-vires, it implies that the action of the executive is illegal and above the powers given. Ultra-vires is an application of the principle of checks and balances. It refers to the power of the court to declare unconstitutional actions of the executive and laws passed by the parliament.
Which of the following is a duty of a good citizen?
The regular payment of taxes is a duty of a responsible citizen.
Citizens can be deprived of their rights during
During period of national emergency, citizens can be deprived of certain rights. For example, such rights as freedom of movement and association can be withdrawn from citizens during the outbreak of war or diseases.
Which of the following is not within the scope of a citizen?
Adjudicating cases is within the scope of the duties of the judiciary/judges, not an ordinary citizen. (Note: per the printed answer key the correct option is labelled D.)
A multi-party system often leads to the formation of a
A multi-party system often leads to the formation of a coalition government, since it is uncommon for a single party to secure an outright majority.
Which of the following is not a function of a political party?
Educating the government is not a listed function of a political party — political parties typically educate the electorate/masses, articulate and aggregate interests, and select/nominate candidates for government positions.
Franchise means the right of all qualified citizens to
Franchise means the right of all qualified citizens to vote and be voted for.
The geographical units into which a country is divided for the purpose of election are called
Constituencies are the geographical units into which a country is divided for the purpose of election.
One way to ensure a free and fair election is to
Guaranteeing the security of electoral officers and materials is one way to ensure a free and fair election.
An election which involves the use of an electoral college is a
An indirect election involves the use of an electoral college (a body of representatives who formally elect a candidate on behalf of the electorate).
Which of the following functions is performed by the electoral commission?
One function of the electoral commission is delimiting the country into constituencies.
Which of the following statements distinguishes political parties from pressure groups?
Pressure groups influence government policies to serve their members' interest, without contesting elections — unlike political parties which contest for political office and seek to control government.
Public opinion enables a government to
Public opinion enables a government to know the feelings of the masses regarding its policies and actions.
The anonymity in the civil service means that a civil servant is
Anonymity in the civil service means that a civil servant is above partisan politics and neither receives praise nor blame should they act in a partisan manner — they remain anonymous, working impartially regardless of which party is in government.
Which of the following is a problem of civil service?
Red-tapism (excessive bureaucracy and adherence to rigid rules/procedures causing delays) is a common problem of the civil service.
Public corporations are set up by
Public corporations are established by an Act of Parliament.
Which of the following is true of a Public Corporation? It is
Public corporations are established to provide essential services for the citizens at a cheap price, not purely for profit.
All the following are problems facing local governments in West Africa except
Obtaining loans from banks is generally not identified as a typical problem facing local governments in West Africa, unlike shortage of trained personnel, nepotism, and corruption.
Local authorities are established to
Local authorities are established to bring government nearer to the people.
A British colony means a
A British colony was a territory acquired by the colonialists through settlement or conquest.
Which of the following was not a reason for the adoption of Indirect Rule in British West African territories?
The chiefs' approval was not a reason for the British adoption of Indirect Rule — the system was adopted due to shortage of administrative officers, insufficient funding, and the fact that traditional rulers commanded respect among their subjects.
A major disadvantage of the Indirect Rule System was that the
A major disadvantage of Indirect Rule was that the British failed to give Africans qualitative/adequate education, since the system relied on traditional rulers rather than investing broadly in Western education.
The organ of the United Nations Organisation that co-ordinates the activities of its specialized agencies is the
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the organ of the United Nations that co-ordinates the activities of its specialized agencies.
The primary objective of the United Nations Organisation (UNO) is to
The primary objective of the United Nations Organisation is to maintain world peace.
Which of the following international organizations did all West African countries belong to?
All West African (and other African) countries belonged to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
Which of the following is not an organ of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)?
‘Tribunal of the Community’ is not an organ of the OAU — the OAU's organs included the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Council of Ministers, and the Secretariat, among others.
The headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) Fund for Cooperation, Compensation and Development is located in
The headquarters of the ECOWAS Fund for Cooperation, Compensation and Development is located in Lome, Togo.
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