WAEC Government 2017 Theory — Question 2

Model answer

(i) Accountability and responsiveness: A legitimate government is usually responsive to the needs of the people by embarking on policies and programmes that will satisfy the needs of its citizens. A legitimate government is also accountable to the people by always giving reports for its performance to the people of the country. (ii) Recognition and Acceptance: A legitimate government enjoys general acceptance and recognition from the majority of the citizens of a state. The legitimate government is seen as the rightful government which assumed office through the mandate freely given by the people rather than through imposition. (iii) Periodic free and fair elections: The popularity of a legitimate government is usually tested in a periodic free, fair and credible election. Elections provide the citizens with the opportunity to renew the mandate given to the government, hence for a government to enjoy legitimacy, it must come to power through constitutional means of a periodic election. (iv) Respect for rule of law and fundamental human rights: Another feature of a legitimate government is the respect of rule of law and absence of arbitrariness in government as well as utmost respect for the rights of the citizens and non-citizens alike in the state.