Definition of Government

• Amplified Government For Senior Secondary Schools and Colleges is a law textbook by A. A. Odunlami, first published in 2016.
• The book analyzes the definitions, basic concepts, types, and characteristics of government.
• It pinpoints the structure and organizations of government, constitutions, basic principles I and II, citizenship, status, rights, duties, and obligations of individuals.
• The foreword recommends the textbook for students who wish to have in-depth knowledge of government from Senior Secondary 1 and beyond.

Definition of Government

• The definition of the concept of government can be approached from three different angles: as an institution of the state, as a process, or as a subject of study.
• As an institution: Government is the machinery set up by the political unity with the power to organize society.
• It controls the state or community and consists of legislators, administrators, and arbitrators.
• As a process: Government is the process of carrying out the business of a state, and the functions are making, implementing, and interpreting laws.
• These functions are sub-divided into defense and security, maintaining law and order, and providing infrastructure and social amenities.
• As a subject of study: Government is an academic discipline, also known as Political Science in some universities, with sub-fields like political theory and international relations.

Arms / Organs of Government

• Government is a system of people who have the power to rule, comprising different organs that perform specific functions.
• The three organs/arms of government are the Legislature, Executives, and Judiciary.
• Legislature: Responsible for making and changing laws, usually referred to as parliament, and is headed by the speaker of parliament.
• Executive: Consists of the president, vice-president, cabinet ministers, and civil service, and is responsible for implementing decisions, laws, and policies.
• Judiciary: Interprets the constitution and ensures people obey the laws, made up of judges and lawyers, and headed by the Chief Justice.

State

• A state is an independent political entity with clear geographic boundaries, while a nation is a large population that shares the same culture.
• A nation-state is a homogeneous group of people with a common culture, independent government, and recognized boundaries.
• A state has four major features; people, defined territory, government, and sovereignty.

Differences between State and Government

• The state has four elements: population, territory, government, and sovereignty, while government is a narrow concept and an element of the state.
• The state is more or less permanent and continues from time immemorial, but the government is temporary and changes frequently.
• The state is composed of all citizens, but the government consists of a few selected citizens who run the executive, legislative, and judiciary organs.
• Whereas the state possesses absolute and unlimited sovereignty, the government possesses no original authority, but only derivative powers delegated by the state.
• The state is an abstract concept, but the government (executive, legislature, judiciary) is a concrete one that acts for the state.
• All states are identical in character and nature, but governments are of different types and may vary.
• Citizens can act against the government but not the state, as the state only acts through the government.

Nation

• A nation consists of a distinct population of people bound together by a common culture, history, and tradition, typically concentrated in a specific region.
• The elements of a state include population, territory, government, and sovereignty, where the absence of even one element means a state cannot be really a state.

Relations of State and Government

• A state is a political organization, while a nation is a social, cultural, psychological, emotional, and political uniting force.
• Possession of a definite territory is essential for the state but optional for a defined nation.
• Sovereignty is essential for the state but not for the nation.
• A nation may be wider than the state, and there can be two or more nationalities living in one state.
• A nation is more stable than the state.
• A state can be created, while a nation evolves.
• The state uses police power (force) for preserving its unity and integrity, while the nation is united by strong cultural and historical links.

Reasons to Study Government

• Studying government helps one understand events, learn from past leaders, participate in governance, and distinguish good and bad governance.
• It enables one to know their rights, duties, and obligations as citizens, defend their rights, and inculcate patriotism.
• It enables people to understand the system of government, find solutions to political problems, provides career opportunities, widens political horizons, and improve ruler-ruled relationships.

Basic Concepts in Government

• Power: The ability to command obedience from others using force or influence, affecting behavior through sanctions.
• Political power is derived from the people and the constitution, such that it applies to a president or prime minister.
• Economic power refers to the ability to command through accumulated wealth and resources.
• Physical power refers to the applications of force, it is also a form of power over others.
• Military power refers to the armed services wielding arms and ammunition.

Sources of Political Power

• The constitution: The source of political power for those in government, specifying how power should be acquired and exercised.
• Through coercion: Power acquired through force.
• Coup d'etat is a typical example of coercion.
• Through charisma: Eloquence, cleverness, and intelligence leading to influence.
• Through economic resources: Money, wealth, asset, or property influencing people.
• Through Inheritance: The power acquired by natural birth into kingship or royal family.

Authority

• Authority is the formal or legal right conferred on a person or group to make and enforce laws or policies.
• Legitimate power or influence is power clothed with legitimacy, based on consent, voluntary obedience, and persuasion.
• Traditional authority is found in traditional societies and leaders, chiefs, or council of elders exercise authority.
• Charismatic authority is the authority derived from faith in a leader's exceptional ability.
• Legal/rational authority comes from the constitution of a modern state.
• Delegated Authority: Authority given to someone to carry out responsibility on specific areas on behalf of others.
• Technical authority is based on professional background, level of expertise, and is widely recognized.

Legitimacy

• Legitimacy is acceptability that is allowed by Law.
• A political term referring to the acceptance and recognition by citizens.
• Governments are deemed legitimate if they come to power through constitutional and lawful means.

Factors That Determine Legitimacy

• Free and fair elections show legitimacy.
• Reliable and responsive leadership earns legitimacy.
• Respect for existing tradition and culture of society.
• Foreign policy objectives such as support for other countries and co-operation.
• Level of political participation which the government gives citizens.
• Ideological beliefs reflect upheld Liberalism.
• Provision of press freedom through circulating information.
• Rule of law determines judgment of government.

Sovereignty

• Sovereignty: Power of an independent country to self-govern without interference.

An analysis of the definition of government approached from three different angles: as an institution of the state, as a process, and as a subject of study. Government is the machinery set up to organize society, controlling the state and consisting of legislators, administrators, and arbitrators.