Meaning, Characteristics, Structure and Relevance of Government for SS 1

Government

Performance Objectives

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

1. explain the meaning of government;
2. discuss the characteristics of government;
3. describe the importance of government;
4. illustrate the structure of government;
5. explain the concept of state and its relationship to government.

The Meaning of Government

The term government has different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. In political science, government is understood in three distinct dimensions: as an institution of the state, as an art or process of governing, and as an academic field of study.

Government as an Institution of the State

As an institution of the state, government is the agency, machinery or political instrument through which the collective will of the people is formulated, expressed and attained.

This definition views government as the concrete structure that makes and enforces laws for the entire society. It consists of the public institutions, offices, and individuals who hold political power. Without this machinery, society would fall into a state of chaos and lawlessness, where might makes right. The government acts as the custodian of societal order, ensuring that rules are established to guide human interactions.

Government as an Art or Process of Governing

As an art or process of governing, government refers to the administrative activities, policy-making processes and execution of laws carried out by those in authority to maintain order and security within a society.

This perspective focuses on the functional aspect of government. It involves the daily administration of public affairs, the formulation of policies, the implementation of development plans, and the resolution of conflicts. It is the actual exercise of political power and authority by those who have been legally chosen or designated to rule.

Government as an Academic Field of Study

As an academic field of study, government is a social science discipline that involves the systematic study of political institutions, ideas, processes, behavior, and the acquisition and exercise of power.

In this context, government is a subject taught in schools, colleges, and universities. It is also referred to as Political Science. It examines the theories of state, different political systems, constitutions, international relations, public administration, and the rights and duties of citizens. Studying government helps individuals understand how political power is distributed and how public policies affect their daily lives.

Characteristics of Government

Every government, regardless of its form or system, possesses certain fundamental features that enable it to function effectively. These features distinguish government from other social organizations like clubs, churches, or business enterprises.

The essential characteristics of government include:

1. Power: This is the physical, military, or economic capacity to compel obedience and enforce decisions. Government must possess sufficient power to control citizens and defend the territory from external threats.
2. Authority: This is the legal and constitutional right to command, make decisions, and enforce laws. While power relies on force, authority is based on legitimacy and consent, meaning citizens obey because they recognize the government’s right to rule.
3. Sovereignty: This is the supreme, absolute, and uncontrolled power of the government to make and enforce laws within its territory without external interference. A sovereign government is independent of foreign control.
4. Legitimacy: This is the general acceptance and recognition of the government by the citizens as lawful and proper. A legitimate government enjoys the voluntary obedience of its people.
5. Body of Laws: Government operates through a set of written or unwritten rules, usually codified in a constitution. These laws guide the conduct of both the rulers and the ruled, preventing arbitrary rule.
6. Revenue Generation: Government requires financial resources to perform its duties. It has the power to raise funds through taxation, duties, fines, and the exploitation of natural resources.
7. Public Administration: Government relies on a structured civil service or bureaucracy to implement public policies and deliver social services to the populace.
8. Defined Territory: A government must operate within a clearly demarcated geographical area. Its laws and authority are only binding on people living within these boundaries.

The Relevance of Government

Government plays an indispensable role in the survival and development of any society. Without government, human society would revert to what political philosopher Thomas Hobbes described as the “state of nature,” where life was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

The relevance and importance of government in any society include:

1. Maintenance of Law and Order: Government establishes laws and sets up law enforcement agencies, such as the police, to maintain peace and prevent crime. This ensures that individuals can live and work without fear of violence.
2. Protection of Lives and Property: Through the police, the judiciary, and other security agencies, government protects citizens from internal violence, theft, and abuse.
3. Defense of the Territory: Government maintains the armed forces (army, navy, and air force) to defend the country against external aggression and invasion by foreign powers.
4. Provision of Social Amenities: Government builds and maintains public infrastructure that private individuals may not easily provide. These include roads, schools, hospitals, clean water, and electricity.
5. Economic Planning and Regulation: Government regulates economic activities, controls inflation, creates employment opportunities, and formulates policies to ensure steady economic growth and development.
6. Administration of Justice: Through the court system, government provides an impartial platform for resolving disputes between individuals, organizations, or between citizens and the state.
7. Promotion of International Relations: Government represents the nation in international affairs, signing treaties, establishing embassies, and engaging in diplomacy with other sovereign nations.

Relevance of Studying Government as a Subject

For students, studying government is highly beneficial for personal development and civic responsibility.

The reasons for studying government as an academic subject include:

1. Civic Education: It educates citizens on their political rights, duties, and obligations to the state, fostering active participation in democratic processes.
2. Leadership Preparation: It equips future leaders with the knowledge of political systems, public administration, and policy formulation necessary for effective governance.
3. Understanding Political Institutions: It helps students understand how the organs of government function and how laws are made, executed, and interpreted.
4. Career Opportunities: It provides a foundational background for careers in law, public administration, diplomacy, journalism, political analysis, and international relations.
5. Fostering Democratic Values: It encourages critical thinking about political issues, tolerance of diverse views, and respect for the rule of law.

The Structure of Government

To prevent tyranny and the abuse of power, the power of government is not concentrated in a single hand. Instead, it is divided into three distinct branches, commonly referred to as the organs of government. This division is based on the political principle of the separation of powers.

Observe the diagram below.

The three organs of government are:

1. The Legislature: This is the organ of government responsible for making, amending, and repealing laws. In Nigeria, the legislature at the federal level is called the National Assembly, which is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. At the state level, it is unicameral, consisting of the House of Assembly.
2. The Executive: This is the organ responsible for implementing, enforcing, and executing the laws made by the legislature. It also directs the daily administration of the state and formulates public policies. The executive is headed by the President at the federal level and by the Governor at the state level, supported by ministers, commissioners, and civil servants.
3. The Judiciary: This is the organ responsible for interpreting the laws, resolving disputes, and administering justice. It ensures that laws are applied fairly and that the constitution is protected. The judiciary consists of the court system, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria at the federal level, and includes judges and magistrates.

The Concept of State

In political science, the term “state” has a specific, technical meaning that is different from its common usage as an administrative division (such as Lagos State or Kano State).

A state is a politically organized body of people, occupying a definite geographical territory, living under an independent government, and possessing sovereignty.

A state is a sovereign political entity that is recognized internationally. Examples of states in this political sense include Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and Canada. These are independent countries that possess all the essential attributes of statehood.

Characteristics of a State

For an entity to be recognized as a state under international law, it must possess four essential characteristics.

The essential characteristics of a state are:

1. Population: A state must have a permanent population of human beings living together. There is no minimum or maximum number of people required, but the territory must be inhabited.
2. Definite Territory: A state must have a clearly defined geographical area with recognized physical boundaries. The authority of the state is confined within these territorial limits, which include the land, territorial waters, and airspace.
3. Government: A state must have an organized political administrative machinery. The government is the concrete agency through which the state expresses its will and maintains order. A territory without a government is in a state of anarchy and cannot be called a state.
4. Sovereignty: This is the supreme power of the state to make decisions and enforce laws within its territory, free from external control. Sovereignty has two dimensions: internal sovereignty (supreme power over all individuals and groups within the territory) and external sovereignty (independence from foreign control and recognition by other states).

Relationship and Differences Between State and Government

Although the terms “state” and “government” are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, they are conceptually distinct. Government is merely an element or an agent of the state.

The relationship between the state and the government can be understood through the following points:

1. Agency: The state is an abstract, invisible concept, while the government is the concrete, visible agency through which the state functions. The state cannot express its will or enforce laws without the government.
2. Membership: Every individual living within the defined territory of a state is a member of that state. However, only a small, selected group of citizens belong to the government at any given time.
3. Permanence: The state is relatively permanent and continuous. It does not cease to exist when leaders die or political parties lose elections. Government, on the other hand, is temporary and changes periodically through elections, appointments, or revolutions.
4. Sovereignty: Sovereignty belongs to the state as a whole. The government only exercises this sovereignty on behalf of the state. If a government is overthrown, the state’s sovereignty remains intact, waiting to be exercised by a new government.

Observe the diagram below to visualize this relationship.

The table below summarizes the key differences between the state and the government:

Summary

Government is a vital institution that maintains order, protects lives, and provides essential services. It can be understood as an institution, a process, or an academic subject. It operates through three main organs: the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary. While the state is a permanent, sovereign political entity with a population and territory, the government is simply the temporary agent that administers the state’s affairs.

Evaluation Guide

Answer the following questions to test your understanding of the lesson:

1. Explain the meaning of government from three different perspectives.
2. Discuss five essential characteristics of government.
3. State five reasons why we study government as an academic subject.
4. Examine the structure of government by describing its three main organs and their functions.
5. Explain the concept of a state and outline four differences between a state and a government.