SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT
CLASS: SS1
DATE:
TERM: 3RD TERM
- REFERENCE
- Essential Government by C.C. Dibie.
- Comprehensive Government by J.U. Anyaele.
WEEK FOUR
TOPIC: CONSTITUTIONALISM
CONTENT
- Meaning.
- Purposes.
- Relationship between Constitution and Constitutionalism.
MEANING OF CONSTITUTIONALISM
Constitutionalism means the rule of government according to the provision of the constitution; which checks despotic tendencies. It means that the power of government should be defined and limited by the dictates of the body of fundamental laws known as the constitution.
PURPOSES/IMPORTANCE OF CONSTITUTIONALISM
- Equality before the Law: It stresses the fact that no body is above the law irrespective of the person’s position or wealth.
- Limitation in the Exercise of Functions: This implies that the activities of those who govern should not be absolute. There are constitutional limitations in the exercise of their functions.
- Fundamental Human Rights: Constitutionalism enhances the protection of the citizen’s fundamental human rights.
- Popular Sovereignty: Constitutionalism promotes the right of every adult to vote and be voted for at any political elections.
- Independence: Constitutionalism implies that only the constitutional courts can enforce the people’s rights like high courts, appeal courts and the supreme courts.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
- Define constitutionalism.
- Why is it necessary in a state?
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONSTITUTION AND CONSTITUTIONALISM
The principle of constitutionalism is not constitution itself .Constitution is a body of laws, rules, regulations and principles dealing with how a state will be governed. It defines the structure and functions of various organs of government. Constitutionalism on the other hand, emphasises that government and its officials should act in line with the provisions of the constitution. It limits government and individual actions and activities according to constitutional restraint
GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS
- What is the relationship between constitution and constitutionalism?
- State 4 importance of constitutionalism.
- List the types of constitution.
- What is a written constitution?
- Give 5 features of a written constitution.
READING ASSINGMENT
Essential Government pages 74-75
Comprehensive Government pages 61-62
WEEKEND ASSINGMENT
- A good citizen must be - (a) wealthy (b) arrogant (c) educated and ready to assist the poor (d) afraid of the government
- Essence of the constitution is to (a) encourage dictatorship (b) encourage military intervention in politics (c) suppress the views of minority groups (d) safeguard the
rights and freedom of the citizens
- Constitutionalism means (a) the use of decree (b) ruling according to the dictates of the constitution (c) disregard for human right (d) abuse of the law
- A constitution is said to be flexible when its provisions are (a) Known by the rulers (b) scattered in several books (c) easy to amend (d) difficult to amend
- All the following are sources of constitutions except (a) acts of parliament (b) devolution (c) convention (d) decrees
THEORY
- What is constitutionalism?
- Explain its importance in a state.
