WAEC Government 2016 Theory Past Questions

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(a) Fascism is a political ideology that was based on ultra-nationalism. It was developed and practiced in Italy by Benito Mussolini between 1922 and 1943. It was a form of totalitarian government where the leader is supreme relative to the state. (b) Features of fascism: i. There is no tolerance of opposition and only one party is allowed. ii. The leader has absolute powers; he exercises legislative, executive and judicial powers. iii. The leader is supreme relative to the institution. iv. The government controls the mass media. v. There is absence of rule of law.

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Processes by which a bill becomes law: First Reading: This is the stage at which the bill is first read on the floor of the parliament. No debate is taken at the first reading. Second Reading: This is the stage at which members of the parliament argue/debate in favour or against the bill. A bill may be rejected at the second reading. Committee Stage: If the bill passes through the second reading, it will be given to a relevant committee of the house for further legislative actions. The committee may conduct a public hearing to discuss the provisions of the bill after which it will report its findings to the house. Report Stage: This is where the committee reports to the house on the reports it got from stakeholders during the public hearing on the bill. Third Reading: This is the last reading of the bill at the house after which members of the parliament will vote either to pass the bill or not. Assent: The bill goes to the president or Governor for assent so that the bill can become law. In case of veto: if the president or Governor refused to sign the bill, the bill can be passed into law by two-third majority of the whole house.

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Five factors that can limit the independence of the judiciary: i. Appointment of judicial officials, such as judges, by political office-holders may limit the independence of the judiciary. ii. Poor salary and remuneration can also undermine the independence of the judiciary. iii. Absence of job security for judges can limit the independence of the judiciary. iv. If judges are deprived immunity or protection in the course of discharging their functions, it can limit the independence of the judiciary. v. When judges belong to political parties or become partisan, this can limit the independence of the judiciary.

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Five roles of minority parties in a multi-party democracy: i. Minority parties provide constructive criticisms to the ruling party thus putting the ruling party on its toes. ii. In a multi-party democracy, minority parties provide alternative platforms for the electorate incase the ruling party fails to meet their expectations. iii. Through their various activities, minority parties help to deepen the democratic process of a state in multi-party democracy. iv. They serve as a check or watch-dog for the ruling party. v. They offer alternative policy/programmes to the ones provided by the ruling party.

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Five roles performed by the Mass media in nation building: i. The mass media help to transmit/disseminate government programmes and policies on regular basis to the people in order to keep them aware of what the government is doing. ii. The mass media help to project any bad policy and programme of the government. This helps the people to reject/oppose such policy/programme. iii. The mass media provide the platform for the expression of public opinion. iv. The mass media provide feedback from the citizens to the government. v. The mass media educate the people on their fundamental rights, obligations and citizens. vi. Government uses the mass media for the transmission of political values and beliefs in the citizens.

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Five features of the Igbo traditional societies: i. The Igbo traditional societies were republican in nature. ii. There was no monarch or institution of monarchy in Igbo traditional societies. iii. The political structure of the Igbo traditional societies was highly fragmented/decentralized. iv. The family/family ties was the basic unit of the Igbo traditional societies. v. There was the Age-Grade which performed various functions like the maintenance of law and order, clearing of road path etc. vi. The Ozo title holders played influential roles in the societies. vii. All the families in a village in Igbo traditional societies were represented in the council of elders by the oldest man in their various families. viii. The council of elders was presided over by the Okpara.

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(a) Three former French colonies in West Africa: i. Mali ii. Senegal iii. Benin Republic (also Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire) (b) Four qualifications for assimilation of indigenous Africans into French citizenship: i. Must be a resident/citizen of any of the four communes of Dakar, Goree, Rufisque and St. Louis. ii. Must have denounced the African culture and imbibed the French culture. iii. Must be able to speak and write the French language. iv. Must have performed the required military service.

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Positive effects of colonialism on West Africa: i. It brought modern technologies and inventions to West Africa. ii. It brought civilization to the people of West Africa. iii. It ended some obnoxious cultural practices among some of the natives of West Africa such as human sacrifices and killing of twins. iv. It introduced Western education to the people of West Africa. v. It improved infrastructure such as roads and railways in West Africa.

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(a) Three aims and objectives of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP): i. One of the aims of the NPP was to promote the unity of Nigeria and sustain her political and territorial sovereignty. ii. To work towards a truly secular state which upholds democratic principles and fundamental human rights. iii. To work for full employment of Nigeria's manpower and natural resources. (b) Two sources of finance of NPP: i. A source of finance of NPP was membership fees and subscriptions. ii. Another source of finance was donation from some wealthy individuals and organizations that shared the political beliefs of the party. iii. Another source of finance was through the sales of party emblems and materials.

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(a) National interest refers to those interests that a country seeks to pursue and promote in its interactions and dealings with other countries of the world. National interest cuts across the political, economic, military, social interests of the country. The national interest is seen as what the people of the country want, however, a country's national interest is defined by the political leadership of the country. (b) The foreign policy objectives of Nigeria include: i. Respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of African states. ii. Non-interference in the internal affairs of African States. iii. Commitment to functional co-operation as a way of promoting African unity. iv. Commitment to total eradication of racism and colonialism from the African continent. v. Promotion of international peace and security. vi. Commitment to the principle of non-alignment. vii. The promotion and defence of social justice, and respect for human dignity, especially the dignity of the black man.