Basic Concepts of Government
Government SSS 1 First Term
WEEK 2
Basic Concepts of Government
Performance Objectives
Student should be able to explain:
i. Meaning of Power.
ii. Authority.
iii. Legitimacy.
iv. Sovereignty.
Power
Power is the capacity to affect another's behaviour by the threat of sanction. The sanctions may be negative or positive.
Forms of Power
1. Political power
The elected President or Prime Minister of a state possesses political power. It is the power derived from the people and the constitution.
2. Economic power
An individual in possession of economic resources could use such to influence issues in a state.
3. Military power
The armed forces, army, navy and airforce control the instruments of violence in a country. These instruments can easily be manipulated to overthrow a civilian government and for the defence of the state against external aggression.
4. Physical power
It is the application of force in compelling obedience. The outcome of this application could bring discomfort or even disastrous end.
Authority
Authority refers to the formal or legal right to make and enforce laws or policies which the citizens obey.
Sources of Political Authority
The following are the sources of political authority
1. Traditional authority
This is from the customs and traditions of the people. Most of the traditional rulers in Nigeria,e.g. Obas, Emirs, Olus and other titles derive their powers from their customs and traditions which are mostly hereditary.
2. Constitution (Legal Authority)
The source of this authority is mostly the constitution of a given country. For example, the president elected by the people has a legal authority.
3. Charismatic authority
This is the authority derived from the special talent and ability of an individual to carry people along as a leader. For example NELSON MANDELA.
4. Consent of the people
People may decide to invest a certain person with authority.
Types of Authority
1. De-Jure Authority
2. De- Facto Authority.
De-Jure Authority
This can be defined as the right to issue instructions and to have them obeyed.
De- Facto Authority
This is a situation where one person acknowledges another as being entitled to command him.
Difference Between Power and Authority
1. Power is the capacity to affect another's behaviour by the use of threat of some form of sanction. While the Authority is formal or legal right to make and enforce laws or policies.
2. Power could be legitimate or illegitimate, While Authority is based on acceptance and mostly legitimate.
3. Authority can be legitimately delegated, while power cannot be delegated.
4. Authority is concerned with the formal position, while power does not concern formal position or rank.
Legitimacy
Legitimacy is a political idea or concept which refers to the acceptance and recognition by the citizens of a country, the rights of their rulers to govern.
Factors that determine Legitimacy
1. Good / Reliable leadership
2. Good government
3. Legitimacy through periodic elections
4. Customs and traditions
5. Foreign policy objectives
6. Wider scope of political participation
7. Charisma of the leaders
8. Open- door administration administration
Sovereignty
Sovereignty means the supreme power and authority of the state over the citizens. The idea of sovereignty originated from Jean Bodin (1530-1590), a French political thinker and philosopher.
Characteristic of Sovereignty
1. Indivisibility
Sovereignty cannot be divided, through government can delegate power to certain agencies.
2. Absoluteness
The powers of a sovereign state cannot be restricted.
3. Performance
As long as the state exists, sovereignty continues without interruption and it is a permanent attribute of the state which does not change.
4. Comprehensiveness
The powers exercised by the government are wide and encompassing (within a circle). These powers are binding on all.
5. Independence if foreign Control
A sovereign state is independent of foreign control.
Types of Sovereignty
1. Legal sovereignty
These are the bodies that make laws and enforce the same laws in the state are the legal sovereign. For example, Parliament.
2. Political or popular sovereignty
This refers to that body which is supreme in a state, the will which is ultimately obeyed by the citizens of the state.
3. Defacto sovereignty
This refers to the body or group of people who use force to make citizens obey their will, after overthrowing the legitimate sovereign of the state through invasion or revolution, e.g the military in government.
4. De jure sovereignty.
This type of sovereign rule is based on law and application as opposed to physical exercise or use if force.
5. Internal sovereignty.
This refers to supreme power the state has to make and enforce laws within its area of authority.
6. External sovereignty.
The power of the state to decide on how to relate with other nations of the world on an equal basis.
Limitations to the Sovereignty of a state
1. The constitution
2. The electorate
3. Customs and Traditions
4. Public Opinion
5. Inter-dependence of state
6. Dominance of powerful states
7. International Organisations e.g U.N.O, A.U and ECOWAS
8. Diplomatic immunity.