An Introduction To Government

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Government refers to the system or group of people governing a country, state, or organization, responsible for making, enforcing, and interpreting laws, as well as providing public goods and services to citizens of a particular country.

Government also refers to the institutions, processes, and personnel that exercise authority and control over a society, aiming to maintain law and order, promote social justice, and ensure the well-being and prosperity of its citizens.

Government involves the allocation of resources, the regulation of economic and social activities, and the provision of essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Most importantly, government plays a crucial role in shaping the social, economic, and political fabric of a nation and its people.

Elements of Government

This refers to the very backbone of a government and its operations within a country. There are four main elements of government:

1. Legislature: The law-making organ of government, responsible for creating, amending, and repealing laws. In Nigeria, the National Assembly is the legislature.
2. Executive: The law-enforcing organ of government, responsible for implementing laws and policies. In Nigeria, the President is the head of the executive, head of government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
3. Judiciary: The law-interpreting organ of government, responsible for interpreting laws and resolving disputes. In Nigeria, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It is headed by a Chief Justice.
4. Bureaucracy: The administrative organ of government, responsible for implementing policies and providing public goods and services. In Nigeria, the civil service is responsible for implementing government policies.

Characteristics of Government

Government as an institution has the following features:

1. Power: Power enables the government to influence the citizens and execute its policies. Power is a basic tool for maintaining law and order. Power can be in different forms. It may include Military power, Economic power, Political Power, Religious Power etc.
2. Law: This refers to the body of rules that regulate the conduct of the people. The law controls the behaviour of the people and recommends punishment for citizens or non-citizens who breaks the laws. This laws is called the constitution. It defines the rights and obligations of the citizens and functions of the government.
3. Revenue: Government has to generate funds to carry out its policies. This is done by imposition of import duties, levies, royalties, penalities, and the collection of taxes. This is done by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and other governmental agencies.
4. Personnel: This refers to the hardworking men and women who help the government to run its affairs. They include the public servants, judges, police, etc.
5. Citizens Support: No government can survive without public support. The government needs the support of the public to function properly as public support confers legitimacy and right to rule on government.
6. Social Services: Government has the responsibility of providing social amenities like good roads, pipe-borne water, electricity, etc. for its citizens in order to justify its existence as a body which represents the people.

Functions of Government

Government place and important role in shaping a peaceful and productive society. Government functions include:

• Lawmaking: Government makes laws to regulate the behaviour of its citizens.
• Maintenance of Law and Order: The primary and most important function of the government is to maintain law and order in a state. This is done through the enforcement agencies such as the police force and other paramilitary agencies like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FRSC etc.
• Defense of the Country: It is the duty of the government to protect the citizens from both internal and external aggression. This is done by the armed forces such as Army, Navy, and Air force, tasked with the responsibility of protecting our national integrity and independence within and outside our national borders.
• Internal Security: It is the function of the government to protect its citizens. The police and the law courts have the responsibility of protecting not only the citizens but also those living in the country.
• Administration of Justice: It is the duty of the law court, which is the judicial arm of government to settle conflicts or disagreement and administer justice. Prisons are built for the punishment of offenders and criminals found guilty by the laws (constitution).
• Provision of Social Services: It is also the duty of the government to provide hospitals, good roads, electricity, pipe-borne water, education etc. to citizens through taxes, which the people pay.
• Provision of Employment Opportunities: Government has the task of providing employment opportunities to its citizens. This makes them economically independent and self-sufficient.
• Economic Functions: Government through its economic policies regulates economic activities in order to protect the economy thereby ensuring economic growth. This is done through careful economic planning and execution.
• Political Functions: Such political functions of the government include conducting periodic free and fair elections to ensure smooth and peaceful change of government and maintain a stable political atmosphere.
• Maintaining External Relations: One important function of the government is to establish and maintain external relations with friendly nations. This relation could be based on trade, politics, health, etc. This is why nations establish embassies and high commissions with high commissioners and ambassadors appointed in charge of them. Nations also align or realign themselves with groups for security purposes and support.

Importance of Government

Government plays an important role in maintaining law and order, promoting social justice, and providing public goods and services. This include:

1. Maintaining Law and Order: Government maintains law and order by enforcing laws, providing law enforcement agencies, and protecting citizens. For example, the Nigerian government established the Nigerian Police Force to maintain law and order in the country.
2. Promoting Social Justice: Government promotes social justice by addressing issues of poverty, inequality, and discrimination. For example, the Nigerian government has established several programs to reduce poverty and inequality, such as the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NaPEP)
3. Providing Public Goods and Services: Government provides public goods and services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and defense. For example, the Nigerian government provides free primary education to all citizens and has built several roads and bridges to improve transportation.
4. Protecting People’s Rights: Government protects human rights by establishing laws and institutions that promote and protect the rights of citizens. For example, the Nigerian government has established the National Human Rights Commission to protect the rights of citizens.
5. Promoting Economic Development: Government promotes economic development by establishing policies and programs that promote economic growth and development. For example, the Nigerian government has established several programs to promote economic development, such as the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) and the Social Adjustment Program (SAP).

Types of Government

There are several types of government practiced in different parts of the world. They include:

• Democracy: This is a system of government in which power is held by the people, for the people and to the people. In a democratic country like Nigeria, the United States and other Ghana and other democracies citizens elect their leaders through free and fair elections.
• Monarchy: A system of government in which power is held by a king or queen. For example, the United Kingdom is a monarchical country, where the Queen serves as the head of state.
• Dictatorship: A system of government in which power is held by a single person or group. For example, North Korea is a dictatorial country, where the leader has complete control over the government, military and citizens.
• Oligarchy: A system of government in which power is held by a small group of people. For example, some African countries have been criticized for being oligarchies, where a small group of powerful individuals control the government and economy.

Characteristics of Democracy

Democracy has several characteristics, some of which are:

1. Free and Fair Elections: Democracy is characterized by free and fair elections, in which adult citizens have the right to vote and participate in the electoral process. In Nigeria, elections are held regularly, and citizens are free to vote for their preferred candidates.
2. Protection of Human Rights: Democracy is characterized by the protection of human rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property. In Nigeria, the government has established the National Human Rights Commission to protect the rights of all citizens.
3. Rule of Law: Democracy is characterized by the rule of law, in which laws are applied equally to all citizens. In Nigeria, the government has established an independent judiciary to ensure that laws are applied fairly, justly and quickly.
4. Separation of Powers: Democracy is characterized by the separation of powers, in which power is divided between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. In Nigeria, the government has established a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government has too much power.

Why We Study Government

There are many reasons why we study government. Such reasons are:

1. Political Education: The study of government gives political education and equips the learner with basic ideas on how to take active part in the government of our country.
2. Knowledge of Rights and Duties: The study of government helps us to know our rights, duties, and what is expected from us as citizens and on how best to defend our rights.
3. Understanding of System of Government: Government helps us to understand better the system of government adopted in our country and the implication of such system of government.
4. Patriotism and Nationalism: The knowledge of government helps us to have the spirit of loyalty to our country, dedication and nationalism.
5. International Relations: The study of government liberates us from political ignorance and explains why government of countries belong to some international organizations.
6. Prevention of Tyranny and Dictatorship: Government widens our political horizon and helps to build the interest of citizens in the activities of government thereby preventing the emergence of tyranny and dictatorship.
7. Assessment of Leadership: The ultimate aim of government is to make us political scientists and make us assess the performance of a leader of a political party.

Final Thoughts

Government plays a vital role in maintaining law and order, promoting social justice, and providing public goods and services. Understanding the elements, features, functions, and importance of government is essential for citizens to participate actively in the governance of their country. The study of government also helps citizens to appreciate the characteristics of democracy, the separation of powers, and the challenges facing government in promoting economic development. Ultimately, effective governance depends on the active participation of citizens, and a thorough understanding of government is crucial for building a better society.

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