Federal Government – SS1 Government Lesson Note (Second Term)

What is a federal system of government?

A federal system of government is one in which governmental powers and functions are shared between the central government and the component states or units.

• Source of power: all levels of government derive their powers from the Constitution.
• Example: Nigeria shares power among the federal, state and local governments.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define a federal system of government.
2. State the features of a federal system.
3. Give reasons why a country may adopt a federal system.
4. List the merits and demerits of a federal system of government.
5. Distinguish a federal system from a unitary system.

What are the key terms?

• Federation: a country made up of states or units that share power with a central government.
• Component units: the states or regions that join to form the federation.
• Central (federal) government: the government that handles matters of national concern, such as defence.
• Constitution: the supreme law that states how power is shared and used.
• Division of powers: the sharing of functions between the central and state governments by the Constitution.
• Heterogeneous: made up of many different ethnic groups, languages and cultures.
• Secession: the act of a unit breaking away from the union.

Which countries practise a federal system?

Nigeria, the USA, India and Russia are examples of countries that practise a federal system.

• Nigeria: has the federal government, state governments and local governments.
• USA: the central government shares power with the states.
• India: power is shared between the Union government and the states.
• Russia: a large country with many component units.

What are the features of a federal system?

The main features of a federal system are the constitutional sharing of power, the supremacy of the Constitution and the autonomy of the component units.

1. Constitutional division of powers: the Constitution shares functions among the levels of government.
2. Source of power: all levels of government derive their powers from the Constitution.
3. Supremacy of the Constitution: no level of government is above the Constitution.
4. Separation of powers: the legislature, executive and judiciary have clearly separate roles.
5. Large population: it is usually suitable for a country with a large population.
6. Heterogeneous society: it is best practised in a country with diverse peoples.
7. Local initiative: it encourages local initiatives.
8. Own pace of growth: each state or unit is allowed to develop at its own pace.

What are the levels of government in Nigeria?

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

How is power shared in a federation?

Power in a federation is shared through three types of power: exclusive, concurrent and residual.

Exclusive powers

• Meaning: matters only the central government may handle.
• Examples: defence, foreign affairs, currency and immigration.

Concurrent powers

• Meaning: matters both the central and state governments may handle.
• Examples: education and health services.

Residual powers

• Meaning: matters not listed in the Constitution, left to the states.
• Example: chieftaincy matters.

How does a federal system differ from a unitary system?

A federal system shares power between the central and state governments. A unitary system places all power in the central government.

• Federal system: the Constitution gives each level its own powers, as in Nigeria and the USA.
• Unitary system: the central government may create local units and withdraw their powers, as in Ghana.

Why do countries adopt a federal system?

Countries adopt a federal system mainly to manage size and diversity while keeping the country united.

1. Closeness to the people: to bring the government closer to the people.
2. Size: it is best practised in a large country.
3. Protection of minorities: to prevent the minority from being dominated by the majority.
4. Diversity: it is best adopted in a country with diverse cultures.
5. Nearness of states: states close to each other may desire a federal union.
6. Pooling of resources: joining resources together forms a stronger economy.

What are the merits of a federal government?

The merits of a federal government are the advantages it gives a country.

1. Closer government: it brings the government closer to the people.
2. No dictatorship: power is shared, so it prevents dictatorship.
3. Lighter workload: it reduces the workload of the central government.
4. Jobs: employment opportunities are created through the duplication of functions.
5. Participation: it encourages grassroots participation in politics.
6. Minority protection: the system protects the interests of the minorities.
7. Unity in diversity: different peoples can stay in one country and keep their own identities.
8. Healthy competition: states may compete to develop faster than one another.

What are the demerits of a federal system of government?

The demerits of a federal system are the problems it can bring to a country.

1. Slow decisions: there is a delay in decision-making.
2. Threat of secession: some units may threaten to break away from the union.
3. Rivalry: there is unhealthy rivalry among the component units.
4. Boundary disputes: component units often fight over boundaries.
5. Fear of domination: the minorities often fear that the majority will dominate them.
6. State creation: every ethnic group may want its own state, which is not possible.
7. High cost: it is very expensive to operate because of the duplication of functions.
8. Uneven development: there is no uniform development, since each region develops at its own pace.

Evaluation

1. Define a federal system of government.
2. State five features of a federal system.
3. Give four reasons for the adoption of a federal system.
4. Mention three demerits of a federal system of government.
5. State two differences between a federal and a unitary system.

Assignment

1. Explain any four merits of a federal government.