Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary School 1

SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT                                    

CLASS: SS 1

TERM: 2ND TERM

WEEK ONE

TOPIC: TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF GOVERNMENT

CONTENT

i.Presidential System of Government.

ii.Parliamentary System of Government.

PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

MEANING: This can be defined as one in which the head of state is also the head of government. All executive powers are vested in one individual called the executive president and the commander in-chief of the Armed Forces. Examples of countries that practice this system are; U.S.A, Nigeria and so on.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

1. The executive president is both the head of state and government.
2. The president performs both ceremonial and executive functions.
3. The executive president is popularly elected by the electorate.
4. The president has the constitutional power to appoint members of his cabinet.
5. The president has a fixed term of office.
6. Cabinet members (ministers) are individually responsible to the president.
7. There is strict separation of powers between the arms of government.
8. The president can be removed from office through impeachment.
9. The system does not recognize opposition.
10. The constitution is supreme.

ADVANTAGES OF PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

1. The constitution is supreme.
2. There is separation of powers which enhances effective performance.
3. The cabinet members are individually responsible to the president therefore he can check their activities. 
4. The president is popularly elected and as such he is responsible to the electorate.
5. The president cannot transform himself into a life president because he has a fixed term of office.
6. It is democratic.
7. Checks and balances are very effective in this system.

DISADVANTAGES OF PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

1. There is delay in decision making
2. It is difficult to impeach the president because the process is rigorous.
3. The president can misuse his power to veto a bill
4. The president can remove ministers at will. There is no security of tenure.
5. There is a lot of corrupt practices in this system because lobbying is allowed.
6. It is very expensive to operate.

EVALUTION

1. Define a presidential system of government.
2. Give 5 features of a presidential system of government.

TOPIC: PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

MEANING: This can be defined as one in which the head of state is different from the head of government. The head of state is the ceremonial president while the head of government is the Prime minister. Countries that practice this system are; Britain, Israel, Italy and Nigeria in the first republic.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT

1. The head of state is different from the head of government.
2. The head of state is the ceremonial president.
3. The head of government is the Prime Minister.
4. The Prime Minister performs executive functions.
5. There is fusion of powers. Members of parliament are also members of the executive.
6. Collective responsibility: Members of the cabinet are collectively responsible to the parliament.
7. Opposition is legally and constitutionally recognized.
8. Vote of no confidence: The Prime Minister can be removed from office by the parliament through a vote of no confidence.
9. The Prime Minister presides over cabinet meetings.
10. The Prime Minister can only choose his ministers within its party.

ADVANTAGES OF PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

1. There is mutual understanding between the executive and the legislature.
2. There is no delay in decision making.
3. The system allows ministers to defend their policies in parliament since they are also members of the parliament. 
4. Absence of conflict: There is absence of conflict as a result of fusion of power.
5. The ruling party is dedicated and efficient in the administration of the country.
6. This system prevents arbitrary rule. 
7. The opposition party serves as watchdog to the government in power. 

DISADVANTAGES OF PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

1. The Prime Minister is not popularly elected by the electorate.
2. Weak government: Parliamentary system of government can lead to a coalition government which is a weak government.
3. The poor performance of a minister can led to the break down of the government since ministers are collectively responsible for government decisions.
4. The executive can be removed from office anytime the legislature passes a vote of no confidence in the executive.
5. Restriction in ministerial appointment: People who are capable of serving the country as ministers will not have that opportunity if they are not members of the ruling party.  

EVALUTION

1. Define parliamentary system of government.
2. State 5 features of parliamentary system of government.

EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Highlight 5 advantages of presidential system of government
2. Mention 5 functions of the cabinet in a parliamentary system of government..
3. Give 5 merits of a parliamentary system of government.
4. State 5 functions of the president in a presidential system of government.  

READING ASSIGNMENT:

TOPIC: Characteristics of Government

Essential Government by C.C. Dibie pages 35-44

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. The head of government in a parliamentary system of government is called A. President B. Head of state C. Prime MinisterD. Governor 
2. A system of government in which the head of state is the same as the head of government is called A.presidentialismB. parliamentarianism C. FederalismD. Unitary
3. Collective responsibility means A. cabinet members are answerable to the people 

1. ministers must collectively defend government decisions C. cabinet members can collect loan from government D. Ministers are responsible to the people 

1. The head of state in a parliamentary system of government performs ------ functions 

1. ceremonial B. executive C. legislativeD. judicial 

1. All but one of the following countries practice parliamentary system of government 

1. Britain B. Italy C. U.S.A.D.Isreal

THEORY

• Differentiate between presidential and parliamentary system of government. 

• Explain the concept of ‘individual responsibility’ in a presidential system of government.