Government as a Process and Academic Field of Study for SS 1

Government as a process/ academic field of study

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. discuss government as a process, and an act;
2. explain the processes of policy formulation and implementation by government;
3. analyse government as an academic field of study.

Meaning of Government

Government is an agency or machinery through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed and realized.

Without government, a state would exist in a condition of lawlessness and chaos, where there are no rules to guide human conduct. Government establishes order, maintains security, and provides essential public services for the well-being of the citizens. To understand government comprehensively, it must be examined from different perspectives: as an institution of the state, as a process or act of governing, and as an academic field of study.

Government as a Process

Government as a process refers to the continuous, dynamic and systematic activities through which public affairs are administered, laws are made, and societal conflicts are resolved.

This perspective views government not as a static structure, but as an ongoing series of interactions, procedures, and functions. It involves the daily administration of the state, the management of public resources, and the execution of developmental projects. The process of government is visible in the interactions between the three organs of government: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary.

The legislative process involves the introduction, debate, and passage of bills. The executive process involves the day-to-day administration of these laws through ministries, departments, and agencies. The judicial process involves the interpretation of laws and the settlement of disputes in courts. Furthermore, the process of government includes citizen participation through voting in elections, public consultations, and civil society advocacy.

Government as an Act

Government as an act refers to the specific, concrete exercises of political power, decision-making, and enforcement of authority carried out by governing bodies at particular points in time.

While the process of government is continuous and ongoing, the act of government consists of distinct, observable events and decisions. These acts are the direct results of the governing process. They represent the exercise of constitutional powers by public officials to address immediate national issues or implement specific state directives.

Examples of government as an act include:

1. The signing of an annual appropriation bill (budget) into law by the President.
2. The declaration of a state of emergency in a crisis-affected region.
3. The deployment of security forces to maintain law and order during civil unrest.
4. The official launch of a national immunization campaign by the Ministry of Health.
5. The pronouncement of a judgment by the Supreme Court on a constitutional matter.

Comparison Between Government as a Process and Government as an Act

The differences between government as a process and government as an act are outlined in the table below:

The Processes of Policy Formulation and Implementation

One of the primary functions of government is the creation and execution of public policies. Public policies are designed to solve societal problems, such as poverty, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and insecurity.

Meaning of Public Policy

Public policy is a declared course of action or inaction adopted by the government to address specific societal problems or achieve national goals.

Public policies guide the decisions of government officials and determine how public resources are allocated. Examples of public policies in Nigeria include the Universal Basic Education (UBE) policy, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and various agricultural development programmes.

Meaning of Policy Formulation

Policy formulation is the systematic process of identifying societal problems, developing alternative courses of action, and selecting the most viable option to address those problems.

The stages involved in policy formulation include:

1. Problem Identification: This is the initial stage where a societal issue, such as high youth unemployment or poor road networks, is recognized as a problem requiring government intervention.
2. Agenda Setting: Out of numerous societal problems, government officials select the most urgent ones to place on the official government agenda for action. This is heavily influenced by public outcry, media reports, and political priorities.
3. Policy Drafting and Analysis: Experts, civil servants, and policymakers draft various policy options to address the selected problem. They analyze the costs, benefits, and feasibility of each option.
4. Policy Adoption: The executive cabinet or the legislature formally approves and adopts the chosen policy option, translating it into an official executive order, policy document, or law.

Meaning of Policy Implementation

Policy implementation is the stage of the policy process where adopted decisions, laws, and programmes are translated into action by administrative agencies to achieve the desired objectives.

The key components of policy implementation include:

1. Resource Allocation: The government allocates financial, human, and material resources through the national budget to fund the policy.
2. Administrative Execution: Civil servants, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) carry out the daily tasks required to execute the policy. For instance, the Ministry of Education distributes textbooks and builds classrooms under the Universal Basic Education policy.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation: Government agencies and independent bodies monitor the execution of the policy to ensure that resources are used efficiently and that the policy is achieving its intended goals. If a policy fails to meet its objectives, it may be revised or terminated.

Government as an Academic Field of Study

Government is not only a practical activity of ruling a state; it is also a subject taught in schools, colleges, and universities.

Government as an Academic Field of Study

Government as an academic field of study is the systematic and scientific study of political institutions, processes, behavior, theories, and the acquisition and exercise of power within a state.

In higher institutions of learning, this discipline is commonly referred to as Political Science. It employs scientific methods of observation, data collection, and analysis to understand political phenomena, governance systems, and international relations.

Branches of Government as an Academic Field

The major branches of Government as an academic field of study include:

1. Political Theory: This branch focuses on the study of political ideas, concepts, and philosophies. It examines the thoughts of classical and modern political thinkers regarding justice, liberty, equality, democracy, and the role of the state.
2. Comparative Politics: This involves the systematic comparison of different political systems, constitutions, institutions, and processes across different countries to identify patterns, similarities, and differences.
3. Public Administration: This branch studies the organization, management, and operations of the civil service and public corporations. It focuses on how government policies are implemented and how public resources are managed.
4. International Relations: This is the study of foreign policies, diplomacy, international organizations (such as the United Nations and the African Union), and the political and economic interactions between sovereign states.
5. Local Government Administration: This branch focuses on the structure, functions, financing, and challenges of the third tier of government, which is closest to the people at the grassroots level.

Why Government is Studied

The study of Government is essential for personal development, effective citizenship, and national progress.

The reasons for studying Government as an academic discipline include:

1. Promotion of Political Awareness: It helps citizens understand their political environment, how they are governed, and the roles of various political actors and institutions.
2. Development of Good Citizenship: It educates individuals on their constitutional rights, duties, and obligations to the state, encouraging active participation in democratic processes such as voting.
3. Preparation for Leadership and Public Service: It equips future leaders, administrators, and diplomats with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage public affairs and govern effectively.
4. Understanding of State Institutions: It provides deep insights into the functions and powers of the legislature, executive, and judiciary, and how the system of checks and balances prevents tyranny.
5. Career Opportunities: It prepares students for professional careers in public administration, law, journalism, diplomacy, political consultancy, and teaching.

Relationship of Government with Other Social Sciences

Government does not exist in isolation; it is closely related to other disciplines within the social sciences.

The relationships between Government and other social sciences include:

1. History: History provides the background information and past political events that political scientists analyze to understand current political systems. Political institutions and constitutions are shaped by historical developments.
2. Economics: Economics deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of wealth. Government policies directly influence economic activities, while economic conditions (such as inflation or poverty) significantly affect political stability and government decisions.
3. Sociology: Sociology is the study of human society and social behavior. Government studies the political subsystem of society. Understanding social structures, cultural values, and social groups is essential for formulating effective government policies.
4. Law: Law provides the rules, regulations, and constitutional framework within which the government operates. Government, through the legislature, creates laws, while the judiciary interprets them.