SS1 GOVERNMENT LESSON NOTE

 SS1 FIRST TERM GOVERNMENT

Meaning and Scope of the Subject Matter 

Week: 1

Government as Institution of state

Content

Meaning: Government is the machinery of the state in which the state apparatus is being run.

Government is therefore an institution set up by the State through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed and realized for the attainment of its goals, through its three arms namely:

Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary. The

main organs involved in this process are the

Legislature who makes laws, the executive

implement the laws and the Judiciary interpret

the laws.

Government as an Art or Process of Governing

Meaning: Government as an art or a process of governing refers to the process or method through which rules and regulations are made, interpreted, implemented and enforced.

Through these, the activities of the society are regulated.

Functions of Government

1. Law making through the legislature

2. Maintenance of law and order through the police force and law courts.

3. Protection of lives and properties..

4. Provision of employment opportunities

5. Maintenance of external relations with other nations. Like the ECOWAS, AU, UNO, participation in international conferences and signing of treaties with other states.

6. Defending the country against external aggression

7. Interpretation of law and settlement of dispute through the judiciary 

Government as an Academic Field of Study

Meaning: Government as an academic field of study

refers to the study of political institutions, processes and theories taught in schools, colleges and higher institution of learning. It is called Political Science in higher institution.

Government viewed as an academic field of study is a social science subject taught in many Schools and colleges – including institutions of

higher learning called Political Science.

Branches or Components of Government as an Academic Field of study

 The branches of Government as an academic filed of study are:

(i) Public Administration: This deals human management in government establishments or public affairs.

(ii) International Relations: This area deals with diplomacy and external relations with other

countries

 (iii) Political Thoughts or Theories: This  deals with the study of the ideas of early political thinkers e.g. Locke, Hobbes, Machiavelk.

(iv) Political Economy: It deals with fiscal and monetary policies of a country.

(v) Comparative Politics: It deals with comparative analysis of governments of other countries.

Scope of Government

The study of government now includes economics, sociology, history, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, Mathematics, as a

result is now called Political Science involving research, the use of statistics and computer.

Importance of Studying Government

1. To have knowledge of how the state is managed and governed/Functions of government.

ii. To be abreast with national and global political occurrences/developments.

2. Its study equip us with the basic knowledge of one’s rights and how to defend them when violated.

3.Deepens the understanding of international relations and a state’s commitment to international organizations.

4. Creates interest for active political participation.

5. It inculcates in citizens the spirit of patriotism/nationalism.

6. To understand the different political systems/types of government with their advantages and disadvantages.

7. It Offers opportunity for leadership training.

8. It helps provide knowledge of the political history of the state.

9. It Provides basis to compare governments.

10. It Provides career opportunities.

11. It enables us to know our duties, responsibilitie and obligations as citizens.

12. It teaches us to be objective in our analysis of political issues.

13. It helps the individual to develop a positive political culture.

14. It Provides us with the knowledge of the successes and failures of past political leaders or governments

Week: 2

Class: SS I

Lesson title: Meaning and Scope of the Subject Matter 

Sub-title: The States and Its Features 

Meaning of state

A state is a politically organized group of people living in a defined geographical area with an organized government.

1.  Government: this is machinery

through which the will of the people in the state is formulated and realized /implemented.

2. Territory/Geographical area: a state must have a define boundary that separates it from other states.

3. Sovereignty: this is the power of the state to make and enforce laws and take decisions without interference from within and

outside the state.

4.  Population: a state must have people living in it.

5.  Recognition: a state must be

recognized both internally and externally.

6. Permanence: A state must be permanent. A state is not something that exists today and

disappears tomorrow, it is only government that changes but the state is permanent.

7. Constitution: a state must have a constitution which is a body of rules and regulations that govern the conduct of both the rulers and the ruled.

 Differences between Government and State

1A state is a territorial association of people with defined boundaries, while Government is an

administrative institution within a state.

2. A state is more inclusive and therefore greater than government i.e. it embraces all the people and associations within a given area. while Government is not as inclusive as the state 

3. A state is a continuing entity. It is therefore permanent. It can hardly be overthrown or changed. while Government is a temporary

institution. It only lasts over a period of time. It can be overthrown

4. A state depends on government in carrying out its activities. while  Government is the machinery by which the functions of a state are performed.

5. A state has its elements, as population, territory, government and sovereignty. Government has its main organs as the legislature, executive and judiciary.

NATION 

Meaning : A nation refers to a group of people who are historically linked in ways that include, but is not

limited to, language, religion and culture. All the members of a nation may not necessarily have to live in one country some may live outside their country of origin.

A state which is only populated by one nation is known as a nation

state. But the population of many sovereign states in the world is made up of more than one nation. Nigeria as a state is made up of many nations, e.g. Yoruba nation, igbo nation, Ijaw nation etc

The words state, country and nation are used interchangeably in contemporary society. 

Features of a Nation 

No Defined Geographical Area :

A nation does not need to have a clearly defined geographical area. However, a nation identifies

itself with a specific geographical area and considers that area as a national homeland. For example, before the modern state of Israel was

established, the Jews in dispersion considered Israel as their homeland and Jerusalem as their capital. Just as all yoruba all over the word consider Ile Ife as their ancestral home

Common Religion Belief : Another feature of a nation is that those who

consider themselves as part of it share the same religious beliefs. This is the religion that unites them as a nation. The people of the nation of Israel are united by Judaism and the people of the Nation of Islam are united by Islam.

Common Language: The people of a nation usually have one common

language. They identify themselves as belonging to one nation through this one common language.

They also use the common language as a way ofreaching out to each other.

Common Culture and Tradition:

Members of a nation have a common identity. This identity is reflected in their common social and cultural ties as well as common traditions. This

distinguishes them from other nations.

Common Origin: Another feature of a nation is that the members feel

a sense of a common origin. They feel that they come from the same place and therefore trace their ancestry to that place. The Jews, for example, trace their origin to present day Israel. 

Common Historical Experience:

Members of a nation share common historical experiences. These experiences could be those of

battles that they have won together or bad experiences of their history. These common historical experiences set them aside as a peculiar nation.

Differences between a State and a Nation 

Definition 

State is an independent political entity with

fixed geographic boundaries.

Nation is a large body of people united by

common origin, history, culture, ethnicity, or

language.

Reference 

State refers to a territory.

Nation refers to a group of people.

Territory 

State has a fixed territory.

Nation doesn’t have a fixed territory.

Entity 

State is a political and legal entity.

Nation is a socio-cultural entity.

Origin 

State can be created consciously.

Nation cannot be created consciously.

Stability 

State is not as stable as a nation since it is a created concept.

Nation is more stable than a state.

Home 

State can be home to more than one nation.

People belonging to different nations can live in different states.

Sovereignty 

State cannot exist without sovereignty.

Nation can exist without sovereignty.

Unity 

State is united by laws and regulations.

Nation is united by bonds and shared

histories.

SAMPLE QUESTION(S)

1. a. Define a nation.

b. Identify five features of a nation.

2. Highlight six features of a nation.

SOCIETY 

Meaning 

Society may be defined as a group of people who share similar values, laws and traditions living in organized communities for mutual benefit.

Features of a Society 

(i) It is controlled by rules/regulations,

norms, conventions and customs.

(ii) It applies sanctions on its members as a means of ensuring or effecting discipline.

(iii) It also applies the use of coercive

means to ensure compliance with norms, rules and customs.

(iv) The rules and regulations of a society are binding on all residents.

(v) Membership of a society is voluntary.

(vi) It is permanent in nature.

(vii) Members depend on one another for survival.

(viii) Roles in the society are dynamic.

(ix) It is characterized by cooperation, competition and conflicts.

(x) It is characterized by a unique culture.

(xi) It is characterized by common

political, social and economic interests.

(xii) Common history, tradition, language,

religion and sense of value.

Relationship between State and 

Society 

1. Government is established by the state to regulate and hold society together.

2. State is concerned with social

relationships expressed through

government society suggests many social relationships which may not be expressed through the state.

3. Society may be organized or unorganized co-operative or antagonistic, while state must be organized for law and under a

government.

4. A State must have a definite boundary and sovereignty. These attributes are not attributes of a society.

Assignment

1 Define society

2. State six features of a society