Citizenship II: Functions of Government – SS1 Civic Education Lesson Note (First Term)

Government is the system or group of people that governs an organised community, often a state.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define government.
2. Explain what government does in relation to members of society and outsiders.
3. Name the three arms of government and state the work of each.
4. List at least eight functions of government.
5. Explain how each function affects citizens in daily life.

What is government?

Government is the body of people and institutions that make decisions, keep order and direct public affairs in a state.

• Government: a system or group of people governing an organised community, often a state.
• Control: it exercises control over society through ordered rule.
• Institutions: government is a set of institutions and actors that shape and direct public affairs.
• State: a community with a defined territory, a population, a government and sovereignty. The government runs the state.
• Public affairs: matters that concern everybody, such as security, roads, schools and health.

What is the difference between a state and a government?

A state is a community with territory, population, government and sovereignty. A government is the group that runs the state on behalf of the people.

What does a government do for members of society and outsiders?

A government regulates relationships among its members and between the society and outsiders.

• Within society: it regulates the relationships among members of the society.
• Outside society: it regulates the relationship between the society and outsiders, such as other countries.
• Decisions: it has the authority to make decisions for the society to meet goals and maintain order.
• Order: it keeps peace so that people can live and work safely.

Why does a government have the authority to make decisions?

A government has authority because the people, through the constitution and elections, give it the power to rule.

• Mandate: in a democracy, citizens give government power through free elections.
• Constitution: it states what government may do and the limits of its power.
• Legitimacy: people accept its decisions because it gained power by lawful means.
• Purpose: power is given so that government can serve the people and protect their interests.

What are the arms of government?

There are three arms of government: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. Work is shared among them so that no one group holds all power.

Legislature

• Law making: it passes laws for the country or state.
• Oversight: it checks the work of the executive.
• Representation: its members speak for the people who elected them.

Executive

• Enforcement: it carries out the laws made by the legislature.
• Administration: ministries and the civil service run daily government work.
• Policy: it plans and implements policies on matters like education and health.

Judiciary

• Interpretation: it explains what the laws mean.
• Settling disputes: it hears cases between persons, groups or government.
• Punishment: it tries offenders and gives fair judgments.

What are the functions of government?

Government performs eleven main functions, listed below.

1. Law making
2. Military defence of the country
3. Provision of employment
4. Maintenance of law and order
5. Promotion of economic growth and development
6. Maintaining good relations with other sovereign states or countries (foreign diplomacy)
7. Protection of civil liberties
8. Protection of lives and properties
9. Administration of justice
10. Formulation and implementation of policies
11. Provision of social-welfare services

What does each function mean?

The functions fall into four groups: protection, law and justice, economic and social, and external.

Protection functions

• Military defence: the armed forces guard the country against attack from outside.
• Maintenance of law and order: the police and other agencies prevent crime and keep the peace.
• Protection of lives and properties: government secures citizens and what they own.
• Protection of civil liberties: government safeguards rights such as freedom of speech, movement and religion.

Law and justice functions

• Law making: the legislature passes laws that guide the behaviour of citizens.
• Administration of justice: courts try offenders, protect rights and settle disputes fairly.
• Formulation and implementation of policies: government plans courses of action on matters like education and health, then carries them out.

Economic and social functions

• Promotion of economic growth and development: government supports farming, trade, industry and infrastructure such as roads and power.
• Provision of employment: government creates jobs directly in the public service and by encouraging private business.
• Provision of social-welfare services: government provides schools, hospitals, clean water and help for the needy.

External function

• Foreign diplomacy: government keeps good relations with other sovereign states through embassies, treaties and trade agreements.

How do the functions of government affect citizens in daily life?

Each function of government touches ordinary life, from safety on the road to the school a child attends.

Which arm carries out which function?

Each function belongs mainly to one arm of government.

Which levels of government perform these functions in Nigeria?

Nigeria has three levels of government: federal, state and local.

• Federal government: handles matters for the whole country, such as defence and foreign affairs.
• State governments: serve the 36 states, for example by running state schools and hospitals.
• Local governments: serve communities, for example through markets and local roads.

Evaluation

1. Define government.
2. What does a government regulate?
3. Why does a government have the authority to make decisions for society?
4. List eight functions of government.
5. Name the three arms of government and state one job of each.

Assignment

List any six functions of government. Choose one of them and write one sentence on how it affects your community.