Representative Government

CONTENT

1. Definition and features
2. Conditions for its establishment
3. Merits and demerits

DEFINITION OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
Representative government can be defined as a government of elected representative of the people. It is also referred to as indirect democracy. It exists when certain people are duly elected by popular votes to perform the functions of government on behalf of the people.

FEATURES OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
• Existence of free and fair election.
• Elections must be conducted on regular basis at specified period.
• Representative government is anchored on the rule of law.
• Protection of individual liberty.
• Independent electoral commission.
• An independent judiciary.
• Existence of choice of candidates.
• Freedom of the press.
• Responsiveness to public opinion.
• Universal adult suffrage.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS
• Define representative government.
• Mention 5 features of representative government.

CONDITIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
• Adherence to the provision of the constitution and respect for the rule of law.
• Adoption of written constitution.
• The practice of multi-party system.
• Universal adult suffrage.
• Independent and impartial judiciary.
• Fundamental human rights should be entrenched in the constitution.
• Respect for people’s opinion.

MERITS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
• It ensures participation in governance by the people.
• It makes for accountability on the part of political office holders.
• The system is simple to operate.
• The government in place is legitimate and legally constituted.
• The government is set up through the normal electoral process.
• The administration is based on respect for the rule of law and obedience to the provision of the constitution by the elected political leaders.
• There is choice of leaders.

DEMERITS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
• There is no true independence of the judiciary.
• Rigging of elections..
• Problem of illiteracy.
• The representative may not adequately represent their people or community due to some selfish interest.
• Corrupt practices among politicians..
• It is too expensive to run.
• Duplication of functions..
• General belief of the people, that politics is a dirty game.

EVALUATION QUESTION
• What are the conditions necessary for representative government?
• Mention 5 demerits of representative government

POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
MEANING
Political participation can be defined as the process whereby individuals get themselves involved in the political activities and in the decision making of their country.

FORMS OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
• Voting in elections.
• Holding of public offices.
• Contesting election.
• Supporting political parties.
• Belonging to political party.
• Supporting candidates for elective posts.
• Protest and demonstration.
• Partial political participation.
• Observatory political participation.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS
• What is political participation?
• Mention 6 forms of political participation

THE PURPOSES OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
• People participate in politics in order to contribute their quota in the decision making process of the country
• Failure of past government
• To correct the ills of the society
• Avenue for money making
• For respect and prestige purpose
• As occupation
• Management of the nation’s resources

FACTORS AFFECTING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
• Lack of trust in the government.
• Fear of intimidation.
• Apathy or lack of interest.
• Ignorance or illiteracy.
• Frequent removal of elected government.
• Problem of poverty.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS
• Why do people participate in politics?
• What makes people to lose interest in politics?

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. What are the factors necessary for the existence of a representative government?
2. Highlight 4 factors affecting political participation.
3. Mention 5 ways through which people participate in politics.
4. State 4 advantages of representative government.
5. A. Define Nation B. State 5 features of a nation.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. One of the following is a feature of a representative government A. free and fair elections B. representation of the poor only C. rule of interest groups D. periodic election
2. A representative government can be established through A. military coup B. a general election C. an impositionD. riot
3. The following are the reasons for lack of interest in politics except A. ignorance
   B. poverty C. good governanceD. election violence
4. All the following are forms of political participation except A. voting in election B. rioting C. contesting electionD. supporting a political party
5. Lack of interest in politics is called A. political apathy B. political phobia C. political hatredD. political culture

THEORY

1. What are the factors necessary for representative government?
2. What conditions are necessary for the existence of a representative government?

READING ASSIGNMENT
TOPIC: CENTRALIZATION AND DECENTRALIZATION
Comprehensive Government; Pages 52-53
Essential Government; Pages 81-83