Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 1

Power and authority

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Term: 1st Term

Week: 4

Class: Senior Secondary School 1

Age: 15 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 2 periods each

Date:       

Subject:      Government

Topic:-       Power and Authority

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

  1. Define Power
  2. Mention and explain the forms of power
  3. List the sources of power
  4. Define authority
  5. Mention and explain the types of authority
  6. List the sources of authority
  7. Differentiate between power and authority

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

STUDENT’S ACTIVITY

STEP 1

INTRODUCTION

The teacher reviews the previous lesson on the state and its features

Students pay attention

STEP 2

EXPLANATION

He defines power. He mentions and explains the forms of power and lists its sources

 

Students pay attention and participates

STEP 3

DEMONSTRATION

He defines authority. He mentions and explains the types of authority and lists its sources. He further differentiates between power and authority

Students pay attention and participate

STEP 4

NOTE TAKING

The teacher writes a summarized note on the board

The students copy the note in their books

 

NOTE

POWER AND AUTHORITY

Power may be defined as the ability to control the actions of others through the possession of means of sanction.

 

FORMS OF POWER

  1. Political Power: This type of power which resides in the three organs of government is derived from the constitution.
  2. Physical Power: This type of power which is also known as naked power involves the use of force to compel obedience. 
  3. Economic power: This type of power involves the use of economic resources at a person’s disposal in controlling the actions of others e.g Aliko Dangote.
  4. Military power: This type of power is exercised by those who control the instrument of suppression like the armed forces.

 

SOURCES OF POWER

  1. The constitution: The supremacy of the constitution makes it authoritative for the electorate to exercise political authority through the ballot box.

 

  1. Through inheritance: this is a common means of acquiring traditional power

 

  1. Position of Authority: One’s position of authority can confer some elements of power on the person.

 

  1. Though coercion: Power can be obtained through the use of force especially the military.

 

  1. The use of Charisma: Many people acquire power through their personal influence and capacity to inspire devotion and enthusiasm, charismatic attribute goes with persuasion.

 

 

AUTHORITY

Authority may be defined as the power or right to give orders and enforce obedience.

 

SOURCES OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY

  1. Tradition Authority: This source of authority is derived from hereditary families based on the existing customs and tradition. E.g Oba of Lagos.

 

  1. Legal Authority: This type of authority is derived from a body of rules and regulations governing a given society e.g the constitution.

 

  1. Charismatic Authority: The source of this type of authority is the exceptional personal characteristics.

 

 

TYPES OF AUTHORITY

  1. Political Authority: This is the power given on a group of individuals by a written constitution to make decisions and enforce obedience.

 

  1. Coercive Authority; This is the type of authority involving the use of force

 

  1. Delegate Authority: This is the authority conferred on a subordinate to exercise certain powers.

 

  1. Traditional Authority: This is power legitimized and defined by customs and tradition.

 

  1. Legal Rational Authority: This is power legitimized and defined by law and held by those who are legally qualified.

 

 

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POWER AND AUTHORITY

One of the differences between Power and Authority is that the exercise of Power requires some elements of force and sanction while authority is exercised without the application of force.

 

Punishment that goes with power is severe e.g death penalty while the possessor of authority can only discipline and cannot order the death of a citizen.

The main attribute of authority is legitimacy; power may not be legitimate e.g military power.

Lastly, power cannot be delegated while authority can.

 

EVALUATION:    1. Define Power

  1. Mention and explain the forms of power
  2. List three sources of power
  3. Define authority
  4. Mention and explain the types of authority
  5. List three sources of authority
  6. Differentiate between power and authority

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively