Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
SlideShare a Scribd company logo

understanding government and governmental System

•Download as PPTX, PDF•
•
W
waliyowcade

government and governmental system

1 of 23
CHAPTER FIVE 1. Forms of Governments or Types of Regime 2. Characteristics of Parliamentary Government 3. Comparison of State and Government 4. Organs of Government: Legislative, Executive, Judiciary and Others UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS
UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS Government is one essential element of state which is in-charge of administrating the overall affairs of the state or the society. It is the institutional manifestation of the state that makes important decisions and implements such decisions. Government in simple terms may refer to a group of individuals and institutions authorized to formulate public policies and conduct the affairs of the state. It is the most important element of state which acts on behalf of the state. As a result, the decisions and actions are final and binding that govern the activities of every citizen.
Forms of Governments or Types of Regime Political scientists try to devise different approaches in analyzing the nature and purposes of government regimes or systems. Generally speaking, we have two distinct approaches among political analysts: the classical and modern approaches being among the classical analyst, Aristotle (cited in Johari, 2003) identified six types of government regimes. In his analysis, he devised two forms of measures: the quantitative and qualitative measures. The summary of his thought is presented in the table below
Criteria The end of the state ( qualitative assessment) Number of persons who can rule (Quantitative assessment) Normal or true regime Perverted or debased regime Rule of One Monarchy Tyranny Rule of Few Aristocracy Oligarchy Rule of Many Polity Democracy
Monarchy Monarchical political system seeks to justify their political power or office on the grace of God or Allah. The rulers try to convince the people that they are born to rule or they are ordained by Super-Natural power Monarchy is not as common as democracy now, but it was historically one of the most common forms of government. In a monarchy, one family rules, and their title is passed down through the generations. However, much like a democracy, who is in charge isn’t totally cut and dried. In an absolute monarchy, the king or ruler is in control of all the government. The more common constitutional monarchy has a royal family, but they serve mostly as ceremonial figures. Examples of monarchies that exist today include:
Constitutional Monarchy:- In the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth is the figurehead monarch, but parliament has most government control. In a monarchy, a king or queen is Head of State. The British Monarchy is known as a constitutional monarchy. This means that, while The Sovereign is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament. Although The Sovereign no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play an important part in the life of the nation. Absolute Monarchy:- Vatican City is not only its own country, it's also a monarchy where one figure, the pope, rules as sovereign.
Aristocracy In an aristocracy, the wealthy or noble hold the power. These privileged few leaders make up the ruling class or elite. Historically, Ancient Greece had an aristocratic government. A modern example is the royal family in the U.K., which has an aristocracy known as the peerage as well as a monarchy. Peerage is a legal system historically comprising various hereditary titles (and sometimes non-hereditary titles) in a number of countries, and composed of assorted noble ranks. (Wikipedia)
Polity • A polity is an identifiable political entity a group of people with a collective identity, who are organized by some form of institutionalized social relations, and have a capacity to mobilize resources • The most commonly used definition is by Max Weber who describes the state as a compulsory political organization with a centralized government that maintains a monopoly of the legitimate use of force within a certain territory.
Tyranny • In ancient Greece, the word tyrant was used for any leader who took over a government. A tyrant typically won public support and then seized power. Only later did tyrant come to mean what it does today a leader who takes power illegally and abuses that power. • Tyranny in ancient Greece could be seen as a step toward democracy because a tyrant often gained power with support of the people, while a king, for instance, did not. However, like a king, a tyrant held all of the power himself.
Oligarchy • Similar to a monarchy, an oligarchy places power with a few people or families, typically a country’s wealthy elite. Unlike aristocracy, oligarchy is not necessarily dependent on noble birth, but on wealth or those who are deemed most “capable” of ruling. The term is derived from the Greek words for "few" (óligon) and "rule" (arkho).
Democracy • A democratic system of government is a form of government in which supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodic free elections. • The United States and Nigeria are examples of presidential democracies. The executive branch includes the president and his cabinet. Along with the judicial and legislative branch, the three branches of government work to keep checks and balances, but the president has final say. • In democracy government comes into power through election or consent of the peoples. But in undemocratic systems, the source of government power could be either force or divine power or tradition.
Modern Political Scientists perspective of Government systems • Thus, modern political scientists try to find alternative ways of looking at the nature and function of government regimes. By referring to the nature of the source of legitimacy to their political power and the way they come into power, governments regimes can be Monarchial, dictatorial, aristocratic or democratic. • These forms of government can be considered as main forms in the categories of government systems. In addition to this, political scientists classify government systems as parliamentary, presidential and hybrid government systems using the power relationships of the executive and legislative branches of government.
Characteristics of Parliamentary Government 1. The executive is divided into two parts: Head of the government and Head of the State. the head of the government has real executive power than the head of the state 2. The head of the government is the prime minister and the prime minister is the one who is the chairman or chairperson of the party or parties which won the election. 3. The head of government appoints the ministers and higher official cabinets.
Conti…. 4. The councils of Ministers, including the prime minister is individually or collectively accountable to the parliament. 5. Ministers can be usually members of parliament. 6. The party or coalition of parties that won the majority seat in the parliament forms the councils of ministers and prime minister. 7. Parliament is the focus of power in the political system. • Crucially important here is that the role of head of the state is separated from that of the head of government. Another key characteristic of parliamentarian government is that the executive is drawn from the assembly and, crucially its ability to hold on to power is dependent on legislative confidence. The executive has to retain the support of the legislature in order to be able to pass its legislative proposals and govern.
Characteristics of Presidential Form of Government • 1. The executive is not divided. The president acts as head of the state and head of government. • 2. The president is directly elected by the people • 3. The president forms the council of ministers, in case of U.S, The heads of departments. • 4. Members of the assembly are not eligible for office in the administration and vice versa. The president is directly elected by the people. • 5. President and the head of departments are accountable to the congress or the parliament
Conti…. Characteristics of Presidential… • 6. The executive is directly responsible to the electorate than to the congress. • 7. The president is the locus of power. A key feature of the system is that there is clear separation of power between executive and legislative bodies.
Characteristics for Semi -Presidential Systems • This is the third form, which is best, conceptualized in the mixture of the two. The most accessible examples are France, India. The key characteristics here is that the existence of both president and a prime Minster. The power relationship between two offices will vary- in France for example, the president enjoys supremacy.
Comparison of state and government • Some of the principal difference and relationship between government and state include: • The state is more ‘extensive’ than government. The state is an inclusive association that encompasses all the institutions in the public realm and embraces all the members of the community (in their capacity as citizens). Here Government is part of the state. • The state is a continuing permanent entity, Government is temporary. Governments come and go, and systems of government can be reformed and reseeded. The state however does not change. • The state is not the government; it is some- thing more basic and more permanent.
Conti.. • Government is the means through which the authority of the state is brought in to operation. In making and implementing state policy, government is ‘the brain’ of the state, and it perpetuates the state’s existence. • The state exercises impersonal authority. The personnel of state bodies is recruited and trained in a bureaucrats’ manner and is (usually) expected to be politically impartial, enabling state bodies to resist the ideological enthusiasms of the government of the day. • The state, in theory at least, represents the permanent interests of society: that is, the common good or general will. Government, on the other hand, represents the partisan sympathies of those who happen to be in power at a particular time.
Organs of Government: Legislative, Executive, Judiciary & Others On bases of horizontal power and labor division modern governments comprise three major organs: the legislative, executive and judiciary. Let’s see the nature and function of each organ in brief. • Functions of the Legislature; • Statute making and adopting laws • Formulating and endorsing laws • Representation Create link between the government and the governed.
Conti… • It serves a Channel of communication Controlling administration • Supervise level of implementation of the formulated and endorsed laws, policies and programs Constitution making, amendment and adjunctions financial control, • Determine the nature and amount of tax and approve budget Investigative functions: through its standing committees it conducts investigation and as well as decide on the reports.
Conti.. Functions of the Executive • Enforcement function • Implementation of laws, policies and other decisions made by the legislature • Formation of administrative policy • Making decrees and regulations • Controlling of military forces • Control of foreign relation • Bureaucratic, crisis and public leadership
Functions of the Judiciary • Adjunction function; it interprets and decides on legal maters • Protection of individual rights and administer justice • Advisory function • Formulate case laws

More Related Content

understanding government and governmental System

  • 1. CHAPTER FIVE 1. Forms of Governments or Types of Regime 2. Characteristics of Parliamentary Government 3. Comparison of State and Government 4. Organs of Government: Legislative, Executive, Judiciary and Others UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS
  • 2. UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS Government is one essential element of state which is in-charge of administrating the overall affairs of the state or the society. It is the institutional manifestation of the state that makes important decisions and implements such decisions. Government in simple terms may refer to a group of individuals and institutions authorized to formulate public policies and conduct the affairs of the state. It is the most important element of state which acts on behalf of the state. As a result, the decisions and actions are final and binding that govern the activities of every citizen.
  • 3. Forms of Governments or Types of Regime Political scientists try to devise different approaches in analyzing the nature and purposes of government regimes or systems. Generally speaking, we have two distinct approaches among political analysts: the classical and modern approaches being among the classical analyst, Aristotle (cited in Johari, 2003) identified six types of government regimes. In his analysis, he devised two forms of measures: the quantitative and qualitative measures. The summary of his thought is presented in the table below
  • 4. Criteria The end of the state ( qualitative assessment) Number of persons who can rule (Quantitative assessment) Normal or true regime Perverted or debased regime Rule of One Monarchy Tyranny Rule of Few Aristocracy Oligarchy Rule of Many Polity Democracy
  • 5. Monarchy Monarchical political system seeks to justify their political power or office on the grace of God or Allah. The rulers try to convince the people that they are born to rule or they are ordained by Super-Natural power Monarchy is not as common as democracy now, but it was historically one of the most common forms of government. In a monarchy, one family rules, and their title is passed down through the generations. However, much like a democracy, who is in charge isn’t totally cut and dried. In an absolute monarchy, the king or ruler is in control of all the government. The more common constitutional monarchy has a royal family, but they serve mostly as ceremonial figures. Examples of monarchies that exist today include:
  • 6. Constitutional Monarchy:- In the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth is the figurehead monarch, but parliament has most government control. In a monarchy, a king or queen is Head of State. The British Monarchy is known as a constitutional monarchy. This means that, while The Sovereign is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament. Although The Sovereign no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play an important part in the life of the nation. Absolute Monarchy:- Vatican City is not only its own country, it's also a monarchy where one figure, the pope, rules as sovereign.
  • 7. Aristocracy In an aristocracy, the wealthy or noble hold the power. These privileged few leaders make up the ruling class or elite. Historically, Ancient Greece had an aristocratic government. A modern example is the royal family in the U.K., which has an aristocracy known as the peerage as well as a monarchy. Peerage is a legal system historically comprising various hereditary titles (and sometimes non-hereditary titles) in a number of countries, and composed of assorted noble ranks. (Wikipedia)
  • 8. Polity • A polity is an identifiable political entity a group of people with a collective identity, who are organized by some form of institutionalized social relations, and have a capacity to mobilize resources • The most commonly used definition is by Max Weber who describes the state as a compulsory political organization with a centralized government that maintains a monopoly of the legitimate use of force within a certain territory.
  • 9. Tyranny • In ancient Greece, the word tyrant was used for any leader who took over a government. A tyrant typically won public support and then seized power. Only later did tyrant come to mean what it does today a leader who takes power illegally and abuses that power. • Tyranny in ancient Greece could be seen as a step toward democracy because a tyrant often gained power with support of the people, while a king, for instance, did not. However, like a king, a tyrant held all of the power himself.
  • 10. Oligarchy • Similar to a monarchy, an oligarchy places power with a few people or families, typically a country’s wealthy elite. Unlike aristocracy, oligarchy is not necessarily dependent on noble birth, but on wealth or those who are deemed most “capable” of ruling. The term is derived from the Greek words for "few" (óligon) and "rule" (arkho).
  • 11. Democracy • A democratic system of government is a form of government in which supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodic free elections. • The United States and Nigeria are examples of presidential democracies. The executive branch includes the president and his cabinet. Along with the judicial and legislative branch, the three branches of government work to keep checks and balances, but the president has final say. • In democracy government comes into power through election or consent of the peoples. But in undemocratic systems, the source of government power could be either force or divine power or tradition.
  • 12. Modern Political Scientists perspective of Government systems • Thus, modern political scientists try to find alternative ways of looking at the nature and function of government regimes. By referring to the nature of the source of legitimacy to their political power and the way they come into power, governments regimes can be Monarchial, dictatorial, aristocratic or democratic. • These forms of government can be considered as main forms in the categories of government systems. In addition to this, political scientists classify government systems as parliamentary, presidential and hybrid government systems using the power relationships of the executive and legislative branches of government.
  • 13. Characteristics of Parliamentary Government 1. The executive is divided into two parts: Head of the government and Head of the State. the head of the government has real executive power than the head of the state 2. The head of the government is the prime minister and the prime minister is the one who is the chairman or chairperson of the party or parties which won the election. 3. The head of government appoints the ministers and higher official cabinets.
  • 14. Conti…. 4. The councils of Ministers, including the prime minister is individually or collectively accountable to the parliament. 5. Ministers can be usually members of parliament. 6. The party or coalition of parties that won the majority seat in the parliament forms the councils of ministers and prime minister. 7. Parliament is the focus of power in the political system. • Crucially important here is that the role of head of the state is separated from that of the head of government. Another key characteristic of parliamentarian government is that the executive is drawn from the assembly and, crucially its ability to hold on to power is dependent on legislative confidence. The executive has to retain the support of the legislature in order to be able to pass its legislative proposals and govern.
  • 15. Characteristics of Presidential Form of Government • 1. The executive is not divided. The president acts as head of the state and head of government. • 2. The president is directly elected by the people • 3. The president forms the council of ministers, in case of U.S, The heads of departments. • 4. Members of the assembly are not eligible for office in the administration and vice versa. The president is directly elected by the people. • 5. President and the head of departments are accountable to the congress or the parliament
  • 16. Conti…. Characteristics of Presidential… • 6. The executive is directly responsible to the electorate than to the congress. • 7. The president is the locus of power. A key feature of the system is that there is clear separation of power between executive and legislative bodies.
  • 17. Characteristics for Semi -Presidential Systems • This is the third form, which is best, conceptualized in the mixture of the two. The most accessible examples are France, India. The key characteristics here is that the existence of both president and a prime Minster. The power relationship between two offices will vary- in France for example, the president enjoys supremacy.
  • 18. Comparison of state and government • Some of the principal difference and relationship between government and state include: • The state is more ‘extensive’ than government. The state is an inclusive association that encompasses all the institutions in the public realm and embraces all the members of the community (in their capacity as citizens). Here Government is part of the state. • The state is a continuing permanent entity, Government is temporary. Governments come and go, and systems of government can be reformed and reseeded. The state however does not change. • The state is not the government; it is some- thing more basic and more permanent.
  • 19. Conti.. • Government is the means through which the authority of the state is brought in to operation. In making and implementing state policy, government is ‘the brain’ of the state, and it perpetuates the state’s existence. • The state exercises impersonal authority. The personnel of state bodies is recruited and trained in a bureaucrats’ manner and is (usually) expected to be politically impartial, enabling state bodies to resist the ideological enthusiasms of the government of the day. • The state, in theory at least, represents the permanent interests of society: that is, the common good or general will. Government, on the other hand, represents the partisan sympathies of those who happen to be in power at a particular time.
  • 20. Organs of Government: Legislative, Executive, Judiciary & Others On bases of horizontal power and labor division modern governments comprise three major organs: the legislative, executive and judiciary. Let’s see the nature and function of each organ in brief. • Functions of the Legislature; • Statute making and adopting laws • Formulating and endorsing laws • Representation Create link between the government and the governed.
  • 21. Conti… • It serves a Channel of communication Controlling administration • Supervise level of implementation of the formulated and endorsed laws, policies and programs Constitution making, amendment and adjunctions financial control, • Determine the nature and amount of tax and approve budget Investigative functions: through its standing committees it conducts investigation and as well as decide on the reports.
  • 22. Conti.. Functions of the Executive • Enforcement function • Implementation of laws, policies and other decisions made by the legislature • Formation of administrative policy • Making decrees and regulations • Controlling of military forces • Control of foreign relation • Bureaucratic, crisis and public leadership
  • 23. Functions of the Judiciary • Adjunction function; it interprets and decides on legal maters • Protection of individual rights and administer justice • Advisory function • Formulate case laws