Representative Democracy – SS1 Civic Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

Representative democracy is a system of government in which citizens elect leaders through periodic elections to make decisions on their behalf for a fixed tenure.

• Accountability: elected representatives remain answerable to the group they represent, called their constituency.
• Nigeria: the country practises this system.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define democracy and representative democracy.
2. Distinguish between direct and representative democracy.
3. State the features of representative democracy.
4. Give reasons why Nigeria adopted representative democracy.
5. List the advantages and disadvantages of democracy.
6. Identify factors that retard the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

What is democracy?

Democracy is a form of government in which the people hold supreme power and use it directly or through elected representatives.

• Origin of the word: it comes from the Greek words “demos”, meaning people, and “kratia”, meaning authority or rule.
• Meaning: democracy is the rule or authority of the people.
• Lincoln’s definition: Abraham Lincoln, a former President of the United States of America, called it “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”.
• Equal say: all adult citizens have an equal say in decisions that affect their lives.
• Elections: power is usually exercised through free and fair elections held on fixed dates by the electoral body of the country.

What are the types of democracy?

There are two types of democracy: direct democracy and indirect (representative) democracy.

What is direct democracy?

Direct democracy is a system in which all citizens gather and vote themselves on political decisions.

• No intermediaries: nobody stands between the citizen and the decision.
• Equality: each person is treated as an equal.
• Direct influence: each person has a chance to influence policy directly.
• Where it works: it suits small communities, as in ancient Athens, where all citizens could meet in one place.

What is indirect or representative democracy?

Representative democracy is a form of government in which eligible citizens elect leaders through periodic elections to represent them at all levels for a fixed tenure.

• Intermediary: it places an elected person or group between the citizen and the policies of the state.
• Decision-making: the elected persons make decisions for the citizens they represent.
• Individual power: it is reduced slightly, but representatives stay answerable to their constituency.

How does Nigeria apply representative democracy?

• Senate: each of the 36 states has three senators in the upper house, and the Federal Capital Territory has one.
• House of Representatives: the number of members from each state depends on its population.
• Other levels: citizens also elect members of State Houses of Assembly and local government officials.

What is the difference between direct and representative democracy?

What are the features of representative democracy?

The features of representative democracy are the conditions that must exist for the system to work well.

• Respect for minority rights: the views and interests of small groups are protected.
• Supremacy of the constitution: the constitution is the highest law, and everyone obeys it.
• Fundamental human rights: citizens enjoy rights such as life, expression and fair hearing.
• Periodic election: elections are held at regular, fixed intervals.
• Free and fair election: voters choose without force, fear or cheating.
• Political parties and party system: parties organise citizens and present candidates for office.
• Majority rule/popular sovereignty: the choice of most voters decides who governs.
• Presence of opposition: parties out of power criticise the government and offer alternatives.
• Separation of powers: power is shared among the arms and levels of government.
• Freedom of association: citizens may form or join groups and parties.
• Equal political rights: every citizen has the same right to vote and be voted for.
• Universal adult suffrage: every eligible adult citizen may vote.
• Citizen participation: citizens take part in voting, party activities and public debate.
• Up-to-date electoral register: an accurate list of eligible voters is kept.
• Political awareness/political education: citizens know their rights, duties and the political process.
• Independent electoral body: an impartial body organises and supervises elections.
• Independence of the judiciary: courts decide cases without pressure from other arms.
• Rule of law: everyone, including leaders, is equal before the law.
• Free press/mass media: the media report and criticise government without fear.

Why did Nigeria adopt representative democracy?

Nigeria adopted representative democracy because its size, population and diversity make direct democracy impractical.

• Large electorate: the high population makes it impossible for all citizens to meet and vote on every issue.
• Complex state structure: government has many levels and arms that need elected officers.
• Large territory: citizens live far apart across a wide country.
• Greater political participation: citizens take part by voting and by choosing those who speak for them.
• Complexity of political issues: trained representatives can study and decide difficult matters.
• Protection of minorities: it allows ethnic diversities to have a voice in government.
• Safeguarding human rights: it protects the fundamental rights of citizens.
• Promotion of accountability: leaders must answer to voters and can be voted out.
• Voice for the opposition: opposition parties help to bring about good governance.
• International trend: democracy is popular in modern governance, and Nigeria conforms to it.
• Welfare of citizens: modern government has a wide scope, and representatives help to deliver welfare services.
• International relations: it helps Nigeria to keep good relations with other democratic countries.
• Stability: it ensures peaceful transition from one government to another.

What are the advantages of democracy?

The advantages of democracy are the benefits a country gains from government by the people.

• Rule of law: it promotes the rule of law and constitutionalism.
• Citizen participation: it makes effective participation of citizens in governance possible.
• Checks and balances: separation of powers encourages cooperation, collaboration and partnership in governance.
• Smooth transition: periodic elections allow a peaceful change of government.
• Political culture: it makes people favourably disposed towards nation-building.
• Constructive criticism: criticism of policies checks abuse of power and promotes good governance and national development.
• Transparency and accountability: leaders must explain how they use power and public funds.
• Loyalty to the state: citizens see themselves as part of the democratic process.
• Freedom of choice: people choose who will represent them in government.
• Legitimacy: the leader holds legal and constitutional powers conferred by the people.
• Equity, justice and fair play: all citizens are treated fairly.

What are the disadvantages of democracy?

The disadvantages of democracy are the weaknesses and problems that can arise when it is practised.

• Forgotten electorate: an elected representative may forget the people once in power.
• Neglect of the masses: the interests of ordinary people are sometimes forgotten.
• Power in few hands: the fate of the masses rests with only a few people.
• Minorities left out: they may have no say in matters that affect them, since a few elected people decide.
• High cost: elections and running legislatures are expensive.
• Selfish interest: some politicians pursue personal gain instead of public good.
• Corruption: it is prone to bribery and misuse of public funds.
• Duplication of functions: different offices and levels may do the same work, which wastes resources.
• Election rigging: cheating can produce leaders the people did not choose.
• Illiteracy: voters who lack education may not understand issues and may be misled.

What factors retard the growth of democracy in Nigeria?

Factors that retard democracy in Nigeria are the problems that weaken free elections, good leadership and public trust.

• Electoral malpractices: rigging, ballot snatching and vote buying defeat the people’s choice.
• Lack of political education: citizens do not know their rights and duties.
• Illiteracy/ignorance: uninformed voters are easy to mislead.
• High cost of running a democracy: expensive elections and offices strain public funds.
• Bribery and corruption: leaders and officials misuse public resources and sell influence.
• Sentiments: voting based on ethnicity, tribalism or religion instead of merit.
• Sit-tight syndrome/tenure elongation: leaders refuse to leave office when their tenure ends.
• Disrespect for the popular will: politicians ignore the choice of the voters.
• Biased electoral umpire: an electoral body that favours one party destroys trust.
• Military intervention: coups interrupt civilian rule.
• Political apathy: many citizens do not vote or take part in politics.
• Monetisation of politics: money, not ability, decides who wins.
• Lack of internal democracy: parties impose candidates instead of holding fair primaries.
• Political godfathers: party leaders dictate who gets nominated and elected.
• Proliferation of political parties: too many weak parties divide voters and weaken competition.
• Inadequate democratic political culture: citizens and leaders have not fully accepted democratic values.
• Bad governance: unfulfilled electoral promises make people lose faith in democracy.
• Militancy, political thuggery and violence: they frighten voters and disrupt elections.
• Poverty: poor citizens may sell their votes for small gifts.
• Erosion of judicial independence: pressure on the courts weakens justice and the rule of law.

Evaluation

1. Define democracy and state the meaning of the word “democracy” in Greek.
2. Explain the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy.
3. State five features of representative democracy.
4. Give four reasons why Nigeria adopted representative democracy.
5. List three advantages and three disadvantages of democracy.

Assignment

Explain any five factors that retard the growth of democracy in Nigeria, giving one example of each.