Alfred Ajibola
- 04th January, 2025 @ 12:07 AM
Topics in Government
Socialism explained with its Key Principles Advantages and disadvantages of communism Communism in government Advantages and disadvantages of presidential system of government Features of the presidential system of government Advantages and disadvantages of fascism Fascism explained with examples and its characteristics Advantages and disadvantages of feudalism Feudalism in government Communalism in government Legitimacy and sovereignty in government Political power: Sources of political power Concept of power in government Functions of the executive arm of government Facts on Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy One-party system explained with its advantages and disadvantages What is Democracy? Definitions of Democracy Types of Government Functions of the Legislature and Judiciary Scheme of Work for Government, SS1, First TermAcademic Questions in Government
Which of the following is not a function of government?
A. Government provides all the jobs in the country they govern
B. Government empowers the less privilege and the physically challenged
C. Government provides a support system for the aged
D. Government provides infrastructure for her citizens
E. Government maintains external relations with other countries
F. Government generates revenue for the country they govern
In government, a type of one-party system whereby a single party is officially and legally recognized in a country or state is termed a _____.
A. Hegemonic Party
B. Pre-Dominant Party
C. Dominant Party
D. True Single-State
E. Unique-Ordered State
F. State-Exclusive Party
Which of the following is not a characteristic of the multi-party system?
A. There is an existence of several parties differing in principles and fundamentals.
B. The political parties are legally recognized.
C. It is democratic in nature.
D. Among the various parties, only one dominates the political landscape.
E. Some of the opposition parties can become politically insignificant.
F. It promotes the coalition of governments.
In a two-party system, only 2 political parties are present in countries where they are practised.
A. True
B. False
On February 25, 2023; Nigeria as a country had its presidential election. The party system involved in this election is the _____.
A. Zero Party System
B. One-Party System
C. Two-Party System
D. Multi-Party System
E. APC, PDP and LP Party System
F. Coalition Party System
The following countries practice a zero party system except _____.
A. Cambodia
B. Vatican City
C. Bahrain
D. Saudi Arabia
E. Oman
F. Kuwait
Which of the following is not a characteristic of the two-party system?
A. It is democratic in nature
B. There isn't a third party
C. The two parties are always dominant in the political terrain
D. The president must emerge from one of both parties
E. It encourages freedom of expression at the press
F. It presents a choice of candidates to the people
A type of democracy whereby shura is practiced is termed _____ democracy
A. Direct
B. Indirect
C. Constitutional
D. Islamic
E. Authoritarian
F. Participatory
The presidential system of government is one of the most common forms of governance in the world today. In this system, the president is both the head of state and the head of government, distinguishing it from parliamentary systems where these roles are separated.
A prime example of the presidential system is the Nigerian government. In this system, the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2025), is elected separately from the legislative body (Congress), which consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The president’s role includes implementing laws, commanding the military, and conducting foreign policy.
Another illustrative example can be found in Brazil. The Brazilian president serves as both the head of state and government; and is elected for a four-year term, with the possibility of re-election. The samba-loving nation balances the powers of its president with a national congress, exemplifying the vital checks and balances.
Please read on the types of government here.
The presidential system of government offers a unique approach to governance with its blend of independence among branches, direct elections, fixed terms, non-legislative cabinet members, and power of the executive. Understanding its mechanisms will aid us appreciate the importance of this system in fostering democracy and representation.
Please read on democracy explained with its characteristics here.
A great approach of understanding the presidential system of government will be through its key features (or characteristics). These features are explained below:
1. Separation of Powers
One of the hallmark characteristics of this system is the clear separation of powers among the branches of government: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial.
In a presidential system, these branches operate independently to provide a system of checks and balances. For example, while the president enforces laws, Congress makes the laws, and the judiciary interprets them. This prevents any single branch from becoming too powerful.
Please read more on the arms of government here.
2. Direct Elections
In many presidential systems, the president is elected directly by the people. This establishes a direct connection between the electorate and the executive leader, fostering a sense of accountability. An example of this can be seen in countries like Nigeria and United States, where citizens vote for their president every four years.
3. Fixed Terms
Presidential systems typically have fixed terms for the office of the president. This implies that a president cannot be easily removed from office unless through impeachment. This stability is essential for long-term planning and governance.
Impeachment refers to the formal process that allows congress (legislative body), or a legally constituted tribunal to bring charges such as teason, bribery, or serious abuse of office against a high-ranking public officer; for instance the president.
You can read on communalism in government here.
4. Cabinet comprising Non-Legislators
Unlike parliamentary systems where the prime minister selects members from the legislature to be part of the cabinet, presidents in a presidential system often select their cabinet members (including the ministers and executive departmental chiefs) from outside the legislative branch.
It is noteworthy to state that the appointed cabinet members by the president often need to be ratified (confirmed or approved) by the legislative arm of government.
Note: This can lead to a more specialized and competent cabinet, but it may also create tension between the president and legislature.
5. Inability to direct and dismiss judges
In a presidential system, the president can direct all officers appointed by him or her, including the ministers, military or any other office of the executive. However, the president may appoint judges, but cannot direct or dismiss them.
Federal judges can only be dismised (or removed) through impeachment by the lower house (House of Representatives) and conviction in the upper house (Senate).
Please read on the functions of the legislative and judiciary here.
6. Executive Clemency
The president may choose to grant executive clemency, or a pardon to relieve an individual of part or all the legal consequences of his or her action from a crimanal conviction.
Such pardon, often termed as presidential pardon, may be granted either before or after an individual's conviction as contained in the constitution or law. In this regard, presidential pardon allows the court to exempt a criminally convicted person before or during the service of his or her sentence.
Note: The president does not need to justify his decision to grant or refuse pardon to a convicted person.
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Amazing facts in Government
The shortest war ever lasted for just 38 minutes. This is the Anglo-Zanzibar War in 1896
174 world leaders signed the Paris Agreement on Earth Day in 2016 at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York. This agreement presents the largest number of countries ever to come together to sign anything on a single day. The agreement aims to combat climate change, accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed to strengthen the global climate effort
United States of America is comprised of fifty states and Washington D.C.
The letter 'q' is not present in any of the American states
White House in Washington has 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms while Buckingham Palace in London has 775 rooms, including 78 bathrooms
Three United States presidents; John Adams (2nd US president), Thomas Jefferson (3rd US president), and James Monroe (5th US president) died on the 4th of July.
Coincidentally, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson also died the same year, and that's 1826.
Abraham Lincoln, the great human emancipator, freedom fighter and 16th American president was popular for the saying:
Government of the people, by the people and for the people
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States of America was a professional wrestler before he assumed the office of the American President. Interestingly, he was only defeated once in his wrestling career
Notable points in Government
Ecclesiocracy is a form of government whereby religious leaders are recognized as the first citizens of a state.
The religious leaders in ecclesiocracy do not proclaim themselves as a direct instrument of divine revelation concerning laws governing the society.
A typical example of ecclesiocracy is seen in Vatican City where the pope presides as the leader of the state. However, the pope does not claim to receive direct revelation from God concerning civil laws.
The grand Ayatollah of Iran (Ali Khamenei) and president of Sudan, Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir are also considered as instances of leaders in ecclesiocracy.
It is worthy of note to state that the laws and rules governing the land in ecclesiocracy are based on religious beliefs, thus making it somewhat related to theocracy.
One of the duties of the government is to make laws that govern the society. Without laws, some of the rich may oppress the poor. Similarly, some of the highly placed in the society may end up oppressing the weak without being brought to justice.
The absence of government in a society, country, nation, state or community is referred to as anarchy.
An instance of anarchy occurred in Somalia in 1991 after a dictator name Said Barre was overthrown. This made Somalia disintegrate into fractions with local warlords imposing their authority over their land.
Below are some of the functions of government:
It is the role of the government to protect and defend the fundamental human rights of her citizens.
The government maintains law and order through the law enforcement agencies. These will include the police, customs officers and other local securities.
It is the duty of the government to generate revenue. This can be achieved through foreign trade.
It is the responsibility of the government to maintain external relations with other countries. For this reason, the president may visit other countries for business and bilateral trade purposes. Similarly, other presidents may visit your country in this regard.
Government can be defined under the following headings:
1. As an institution of a state.
Government is defined as an institution, agency, machinery or instrument that is established to manage the affairs of general welfare of the people making up a state or country
2. As a process or as an act of governing.
Government is defined as the processes and methods involved in the formulation, administration and implementation of public policies from a procedure which had been specifically spelt out in the constitution of a country or state
3. As an academic field of study.
Government is defined as the study of institutions, theories, ideas, values and doctrines as relating to the acquisition and use of political power for the welfare of the people
The End Sars is considered a pressure group in Nigeria. It campaigned in the interest of Nigerian youths, thus forcing the Nigerian government into scrapping the Special Anti-Robbery Squard (SARS) who had constantly brutalized Nigerians, especially the youths; through extortion, indiscriminate shootings, threats and other violent conducts.
Unfortunately, some Nigerian youths paid the ultimate price with their lives at the Lekki tollgate massacre. This happened on the 20th day of October, 2020.
Burna Boy, a Nigerian musician made a song titled '20 : 10 : 20' in this regard.