32 Questions
Politics originated from the first Greek word ' polis ', which means a city. The word 'polis' then led to another Greek word called ' politikos ', which is an adjective that pertains to the description of a city and its people. Politics can be described in two major ways: 1. Politics as an ______. 2. Politics as a field of study.
art
What are the branches of political science that specialize in explaining politics happening between and among nations of the world?
International Relations
Define 'Authority' as explained in political science.
the right to give command and the ability to enforce obedience with the command
Power in international relations can only be classified as hard power.
False
Match the following components of power with their definitions: 1. Legitimacy 2. Authority 3. Sovereignty
Legitimacy = the act of being lawful or fully accepted by the people Authority = the right to give command and enforce obedience without force Sovereignty = the independence of a state making rules binding on its citizens
What does constitutionalism emphasize?
Protection of individual rights
Under constitutionalism, what is considered the supreme law of the land?
The constitution
Which branch of government focuses on interpreting laws in a constitutional system?
Judicial
Constitutionalism emphasizes protecting individual rights such as freedom of speech and religion.
True
What is the primary source of a government's authority according to constitutionalism?
consent of the governed
What does the 'balance of power' refer to?
Distribution of power among states
What is the main idea behind the Power Transition Theory?
Conflicts are likely when a rising power challenges an established power's dominance.
Hegemony refers to the dominance by multiple states in the international system.
False
Rights are seen as the legally sanctioned claims of a __________.
citizen
Match the following types of rights with their descriptions:
Natural Rights = Rights acquired from conception to adulthood including freedom of expression Civic Rights = Rights developed from civilization to modernity, including right to marry and own property Political Rights = Rights involving political processes like voting and forming associations Development Rights = Subdivided into ECO (Economic) and SOC (Social), offering rights to work, education, and healthcare
What does a written constitution typically include?
Codification of laws
Flexible constitutions are challenging to amend.
False
What is the main difference between unitary and federal constitutions?
Division of political power between central and regional governments
What is the main emphasis of constitutionalism?
Rule of law and protection of individual rights
Which constitution introduced regionalism and regional autonomy in Nigeria?
Richards Constitution
Which constitution was implemented during the colonial rule of Nigeria?
Clifford Constitution
What are the categories of constitutions based on their ability to be amended?
Rigid and flexible
What is the role of the judiciary in constitutionalism?
To interpret the constitution
Who introduced the Draft Constitution of 1995 in Nigeria?
General Sani Abacha
Which type of constitution grants supreme authority to a central government?
Unitary
What is the importance of understanding political science?
To understand global governance
What does political science primarily focus on?
The study of power and governance
Who is credited with the definition of politics as 'who gets what, how, and when'?
Harold Lasswell
Which branch of political science focuses on studying conflicts and their resolutions?
Comparative Politics
What is the primary purpose of a constitution?
To limit government power
Which type of constitution is characterized by a formal, single document?
Written
What is the main focus of International Relations?
Study of international conflicts
Study Notes
SSC 104 Course Outline
- Introduction to Political Science
- Subject matter of political science, including major definitions of politics and historical concepts
- Who is a political scientist and what do they do?
- Branches of political science, including international relations, foreign policy, and comparative politics
- Relevance of political science
Subject Matter of Political Science
- Politics originated from the Greek word "polis", meaning city
- Politics can be described as an art and a field of study
- Ways to define politics:
- Exercise of power
- Day-to-day activity in which everyone is involved
- Who gets what, how, and when (Harold Lasswell's definition)
- Conflict resolution methods:
- Dialogue
- Negotiation
- Arbitration
- Mediation
- Law Courts
Branches of Political Science
- International Relations: studies happenings between and among nations
- Foreign Policy: studies why a state does something and not the other
- Concept of National Interest: things that a state holds sacrosanct
- Comparative Politics: compares one state with another
- Political Theories: includes system theory, game theory, elite theory, group theory, and institutional theory
- Local Government Studies: studies local government and its functions
- Government and Politics: studies governance and accountability
Benefits of Taking Political Science
- Enlightens on various systems of government
- Enables understanding of governance, accountability, and separation of powers
- Provides employment opportunities, especially in Political Science departments
Context of Politics
- Power is the capability or ability of a state to influence other states
- Types of power:
- Hard power (coercion, sanctions, use of force)
- Soft power (culture, ideology, norms, and tradition)
- Components of power:
- Legitimacy
- Authority
- Sovereignty
International Relations
- Studies interactions between countries, international organizations, and multinational corporations
- Key concepts:
- International Political Economy (IPE)
- International Security
- Foreign Policy Analysis
- International Law and Organizations
- International Theory
- Global Governance
- International Ethics
- Importance of International Relations:
- Understanding global politics
- Managing conflict and promoting cooperation
- Informing policy decisions
- Promoting global justice and human rights
- Addressing global challenges
Power in International Relations
- Types of power:
- Military power
- Economic power
- Political power
- Cultural power
- Soft power
- Distribution of power:
- Realist perspective: uneven distribution of power
- Balance of power: prevents any one state from dominating
- Power transition theory: conflicts occur when a rising power challenges the dominant power
- Hegemony: dominance of a single state or group of states
Rights, Duties, and Obligations of Citizens
- Rights:
- Natural rights
- Civic rights
- Political rights
- Development rights
- Cultural rights
- Limitations of rights:
- Infringement on others' rights
- Ex-convicts, bankrupts, or rubbers cannot vote
- Law of slander, libel, or sedition
- Emergency situations
- Sickness or mental situation
- Duties and obligations:
- Obeying rules and regulations
- Paying taxes
- Loyalty and patriotism
- Staying away from economic sabotage
- Assisting law enforcement agents
- Honoring and respecting state symbols
Constitution and Constitutionalism
- Types of constitutions:
- Written constitution
- Unwritten constitution
- Features of written constitution:
- Codification of fundamental laws
- Specific amendment process
- Clear separation of powers
- Protection of individual rights and liberties
- Features of unwritten constitution:
- Evolutionary development
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Reliance on political actors
- Rigid and flexible constitutions:
- Rigid constitution: challenging to amend or change
- Flexible constitution: easy to amend or change### Types of Constitutions
- Rigid Constitution: A constitution that can be amended or changed with a high level of difficulty, typically requiring a supermajority or a special process. Examples: United States and Germany.
- Flexible Constitution: A constitution that can be amended or changed with a relatively simple process, typically requiring a simple majority. Examples: United Kingdom and Sweden.
Unitary and Federal Constitutions
-
Unitary Constitution: A constitution that establishes a central government with supreme authority over all aspects of governance. Key features:
- Supremacy of the central government
- Central government's ability to create, abolish, or alter regional governments
- Centralized power for decision-making and policy implementation
- Uniform application of national laws and policies across the country Examples: China, France, and Saudi Arabia
-
Federal Constitution: A constitution that divides political power between a central government and various regional governments (such as states or provinces) through a constitutional agreement. Key features:
- Division of powers between the central and regional governments
- Constitutional protection for regional governments' existence and authority
- Shared decision-making and policy implementation between levels of government
- Dispute resolution mechanisms, often involving the judiciary Examples: United States, Germany, and Canada
Constitutionalism
- Constitutionalism: A political philosophy and system of governance that emphasizes the rule of law, limitations on government power, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
- Key aspects of constitutionalism:
- Limited government
- Rule of law
- Constitutional supremacy
- Separation of powers
- Individual rights and freedoms
- Popular sovereignty
Nigerian Constitutional History
- 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: The current supreme law of Nigeria, which outlines the structure of the Nigerian government, defines the fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerian citizens, and provides for the division of power between the federal government and the 36 Nigerian states.
- Clifford Constitution of 1922: A significant historical document in Nigerian constitutional history, which aimed to reform the existing governance structure in Nigeria by introducing a new legislative council and executive council.
- Richards Constitution of 1946: A constitution that replaced the Clifford Constitution of 1922, which introduced regionalism, dividing Nigeria into three regions: Eastern, Western, and Northern.
- Macpherson Constitution of 1951: A constitution that introduced regional autonomy and federal union, creating a central government with a Council of Ministers.
- Lyttleton Constitution of 1954: A constitution that further reinforced the federal principle, granting more autonomy to the three regions that had been established under the Macpherson Constitution.
- Draft Constitution of 1995: A draft constitution that was part of the constitutional conference held during the military regime of General Sani Abacha, which aimed to create a new legal framework for Nigeria.
This quiz covers the origin of the word 'politics' and its meaning, as well as the branches of political science that deal with international relations. It also defines the concept of 'authority'.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
