AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
This syllabus aims at assessing the candidates’ ability to:
(a) Define the concepts of Government and show their understanding of its principles, institutions and processes.
(b) Recognize their role as informed citizens and their contributions towards the achievement of national development.
(c) Evaluate the successes, failures and problems of governments in West Africa.
(d) Analyze the constitutional developments and processes of colonial and post - independent government.
(e) Appreciate the role of their country as a member of the international community.
SCHEME OF EXAMINATIONS
There will be two papers – Paper 1 and 2, both of which will make a composite paper to be taken at one sitting.
PAPER 1: This will be a 1-hour multiple-choice objective test consisting of fifty questions drawn from the entire syllabus. The paper shall carry 40 marks
PAPER 2: This will be a 2 hour essay type test consisting of two sections, Sections A and B. The paper shall carry 60 marks.
Section A: Elements of Government
This shall contain five questions out of which candidates shall be required to attempt any two.
Section B: Political And Constitutional Developments in West Africa and International Relations
This shall contain five questions out of which candidates shall be required to attempt any two.
DETAILED SYLLABUS
SECTION A: ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT
MEANING AND SCOPE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER – GOVERNMENT
(i) Government as an institution of the state . Definition of state, features, structure and functions.
(ii) Government as a process or art or governing.
(iii) Government as an academic field of study – reasons for studying government.
BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT
(i) Basic concepts – State, *Society, *Nation, Power, Authority, Legitimacy, Sovereignty, Democracy, Political Culture and Socialization, Communalism, Feudalism and oligarchy, *Liberalism, Socialism, Communism, Capitalism, Fascism, Aristocracy, Totalitarianism.
Meaning and features.
(ii) Basic principles – Rule of Law, Fundamental Human Rights, Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances, Constitutionalism, Political participation, Representative Government, Centralization and Decentralization – (Delegated Legislation, Devolution and Decentralization).
CONSTITUTIONS
(i) Definition and Sources
(ii) Functions
(iii) Types and Features , (Written and Unwritten, Rigid and Flexible).
ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
The Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary – Judicial Independence. (Types, Structure, Composition/membership; Functions; powers and limitations).
STATE STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF GOVERNMENT
(a) Types - Unitary, Federal, Confederal, Presidential or Non-parliamentary, Parliamentary or Cabinet, Monarchical and Republican.
Meaning, types, features, merits and demerits.
CITIZENSHIP
Meaning, mode of acquisition, rights, duties and obligations of individuals in the state.
Means of safeguarding rights of citizens.
POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMS
(i) Political Parties – definition, organization/structure, and functions.
(ii) Party Systems – definition, types, merits and demerits.
PRESSURE GROUPS, PUBLIC OPINION AND MASS MEDIA
(i) Pressure Groups – definition, types, mode of operation and functions;
(ii) Public opinion – definition, formation, Measurement and importance;
(iii) Mass Media – definition, roles and impact.
THE ELECTORAL SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODY
(a) Electoral Systems and Processes (i) Election- Meaning and purpose of elections. (ii) Franchise – meaning, and limitations. (iii) Types, advantages and disadvantages of Electoral Systems. (b) Electoral Management Body – definition, functions, problems/constrains.
PUBLIC/CIVIL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION
(i) Public/Civil Service – Meaning, Structure, Characteristics and Functions.
(ii) Public/Civil Service Commission –meaning and Functions.
(iii) Public Corporations – definition, purposes, functions, control, challenges, need for commercialization and privatization.
(iv) Local Governments – Meaning, structure, Purposes, Functions, Sources of revenue, control and problems.
SECTION B: POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVLEOPMENTS IN WEST AFRICA AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PRE-COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEM OF CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
The Structural Organization of the following:
(a) Nigeria - Hausa/Fulani, the Yoruba and the Igbo. (b) Ghana - The Akan and the Talensi.
(c) Sierra Leone - The Mende and Temme.
(d) The Gambia - The Wolof, Mandingo and Jola.
(e) Liberia - The Vai and the Kru.
COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
(i) The Policy and Structure of the British Colonial Administration – Crown Colony, Protectorate and Indirect Rule.
(ii) The Policy of French Colonial Administration – Assimilation and Association (Loi Cadre).
(iii) Impact, Advantages and disadvantages of Colonial Rule.
NATIONALISM IN CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
(i) Nationalism: Meaning, factors and effects.
(ii) Key Nationalist leaders/movements and their contributions.
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
(i) Pre-Independence Constitutions -
(a) Nigeria (features) - Clifford 1922Richards 1946Macpherson 1951Lyttleton 1954
(b) Ghana (features, merits and demerits) - Clifford 1916 Guggisberg 1925 Burns 1946 Arden Clarke 1951 Nkrumah 1954 (c) Sierra Leone (features, merits and demerits) - Slatter 1924 Stevenson 1947 Beresford Stooke 1951 The 1956 and 1958 Constitutions. (d) The Gambia (features, merits and demerits) - The 1947, 1951,
1954, 1960, 1962 and 1963 Constitutions.
(ii) Post-Independence Constitutions – Features
(a) Nigeria - Independence Constitution, 1960 Republican Constitution 1963 The 1979 and 1989 Constitutions 1999 Constitution - Origin, features, strengths and Weaknesses. (b) Ghana - Independence Constitution, 1957 Republican Constitution 1960 2nd Republican Constitution 1969 3rd Republican Constitution 1979 4th Republican Constitutions 1992. (c) Sierra Leone – Independence Constitution 1961 Republican Constitution 1971 The 1978 and 1991 Constitutions, (d) The Gambia - Independence Constitution 1965 Republican Constitution 1970. 2nd Republican Constitution 1997 (e) Liberia - Independence/Republican Constitution 1947 2nd Republican Constitution 1985
DEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
- Nigeria - Sierra Leone - The Gambia - Liberia Formation, Objectives, Sources of Finance, Achievements and Failures
MILITARY RULE IN THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES.
- Nigeria - Ghana; - Sierra Leone - The Gambia - Liberia Causes, effects and various military regimes.
FEDERAL/UNITARY SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT IN WEST AFRICA
- Nigeria - Sierra Leone - The Gambia - Liberia Origin, Factors, Structure, Features and Problems
FOREIGN POLICIES OF THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
- Nigeria - Ghana - Sierra Leone - The Gambia - Liberia Definitions, Factors, objectives, advantages and disadvantages.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The United Nations Organizations (UNO),The Commonwealth of Nations,
African Union (AU) - NEPAD,The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).Origin, aims/objectives, achievements and problems.
SUGGESTED READING LIST S/N AUTHOR TITLE 1. ADU BOAHEN, A Ghana Evolution and Change in the 19th and 20th Centuries
SHILLINGTON K. Ghana and the Rawlings Factor
3.HODGKIN T. African Political Parties
GARBRAH H. K. Foreign Policies of Major Countries, Subject Publications,
New Delhi 5. ADDAE P. G. Senior Secondary School Government Bks. 1&2 6. NOFIU S. O. A. A – ONE in Government 7. ECHIEFU S. M Modern Government 8. APPADORAI A. The Substance of Politics 9. PRICE J. H. Political Institutions in West Africa 10. LEEDS C. A. Political Studies 11. AMOA G. Y. Groundwork of Government in West Africa 12. DARE AND OYEWOLE A Textbook of Government for Senior Secondary School 13. OYEDIRAN AND CO. Government for Senior Secondary School. 14. FRANCIS ADIGWE Essentials of Government 15. DENNIS AUSTIN Politics in Ghana 1946-1960 16 PRAH ISAAC Government for Senior Secondary School