Introduction to Government – SS1 Government Lesson Note (First Term)

Government is the body of persons and institutions that make and enforce laws in a state. It is the instrument through which the purpose of the state is formulated, expressed and attained. It is also an agency set up by the political community to promote the general welfare of the people.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain why government was formed.
2. Define government as an institution of the state.
3. Describe government as a process or art of governing.
4. Name the three organs of government and state their functions.
5. Explain government as an academic field of study.

Government as an institution of the state

Human beings tend to have diverse and conflicting interests in their relationships with one another. The need to regulate these conflicts of interest and the desire to set up a peaceful society led to the formation of government. Without an agency or body to regulate people’s activities, society would become what Thomas Hobbes referred to as a primitive society, where life is solitary, poor, wicked and short.

To prevent confusion and disorder, people have to surrender their natural rights to a body or agency of the state called government. The absence of government in a state leads to anarchy, that is, a state of disorder and lawlessness where might is right.

Government therefore refers to the body of persons and institutions that make and enforce laws in a state. It is the instrument through which the purpose of the state is formulated, expressed and attained. It is also an agency established by the political community to promote the general welfare of the people.

Government as a process or art of governing

Government as a process or art of governing may be defined as the involvement of organs of government vested with power and authority for maintaining peace and security and for making and enforcing laws. Through the formulation and implementation of policies, government regulates the activities of citizens and conducts the affairs of the state.

What are the organs of government?

To make the art of governing easier and more effective, power is divided among three organs instead of being vested in one. These organs have power and perform different but complementary functions. They are the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

• Legislature (House of Assembly): makes the laws and passes the bills to the Executive arm for implementation.
• Executive: executes the laws.
• Judiciary: interprets the laws and punishes offenders.

Government as an academic field of study

Government as a school subject deals with the whole process and structure of political institutions. The study helps us to understand the arms of government involved in running the affairs of the state.

It also covers the international organisations a state belongs to and the relationships between states in the world. The study of government is also called political science.

Evaluation

1. What led to the formation of government?
2. Define anarchy.
3. Name the three organs of government.
4. State one function of each organ of government.

Assignment

1. Describe the functions of the organs of government.
2. Why do you think government is necessary in a state?