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

Representative democracy is a form of government in which eligible citizens elect leaders through periodic elections to represent them and make decisions on their behalf for a fixed tenure. The elected representatives remain answerable to the group they represent, known as their constituency. Nigeria practises this system.

Behavioural objectives

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

• define democracy and representative democracy;
• distinguish between direct and representative democracy;
• state the features of representative democracy;
• give reasons why Nigeria adopted representative democracy;
• list the advantages and disadvantages of democracy;
• identify factors that retard the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

What is democracy?

The word democracy is derived from the Greek words “demos”, meaning people, and “kratia”, meaning authority or rule. Therefore, democracy may be said to be the rule or authority of the people.

The widely used definition of democracy was given by a former President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”. It is the type of government where all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives.

Democracy is a form of government where the people have and exercise the supreme power directly or indirectly through a system of representation, usually involving free and fair elections held at specific dates by the electoral body in the country.

What are the types of democracy?

There are two types of democracy:

1. Direct democracy
2. Indirect or representative democracy

Direct democracy

Direct democracy places all power in the hands of the individual. When political decisions must be made, all members of a polity gather together and individuals cast a vote. In theory, this sounds like the ideal form of government. There are no intermediaries. Each person is treated as an equal, and each person is given a chance to directly influence the policymaking process.

Indirect or representative democracy

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

This is a political arrangement that establishes an intermediary political actor between the individual and the policy outputs of the state. In other words, the people elect, through an election, those who will represent or govern the state on their behalf for a fixed period. Through the electoral process, one person or a group of people are elected and given the task of making decisions on behalf of the citizens they represent.

In Nigeria, we have multiple intermediaries. Each state has three representatives in the upper house, or Senate. In the lower house, or House of Representatives, the number of representatives from each state depends on its population. The power of the individual is reduced slightly, but political representatives are still answerable to the group they represent, also known as their “constituency”.

What are the features of representative democracy?

1. Respect for minority rights
2. The supremacy of the constitution
3. Existence of fundamental human rights
4. Periodic election
5. Free and fair election
6. Existence of political parties
7. Majority rule/popular sovereignty
8. Party system
9. Presence of opposition
10. Separation of powers between the arms and levels of government
11. Freedom of association and groups
12. Equal political rights
13. Universal adult suffrage
14. Citizen participation
15. Up-to-date electoral register
16. Political awareness/political education
17. Independent electoral body
18. Independence of the judiciary
19. Rule of law
20. Free press/mass media

Why did Nigeria adopt representative democracy?

1. Large electorate size due to high population.
2. Complex state structure of the Nigerian government.
3. Large territorial size of the country.
4. Greater political participation.
5. The complexity of many political issues.
6. Desire to protect the interest of the minorities/ethnic diversities.
7. Safeguarding the fundamental human rights of the citizens.
8. Promotion of accountability.
9. To give voice to the opposition for good governance.
10. To conform to the international trend in modern governance/popularity of democracy.
11. Expanding the scope of modern government for the welfare of citizens.
12. To maintain international relations with other democratic countries.
13. To ensure stability and peaceful transition of government.

What are the advantages of democracy?

1. Democracy promotes the rule of law and constitutionalism.
2. It facilitates the effective participation of citizens in governance.
3. It encourages checks and balances resulting from the separation of powers, which enhances cooperation, collaboration and partnership in governance.
4. Democracy guarantees periodic elections to ensure a smooth transition of government.
5. It promotes a political culture which makes the people favourably disposed towards nation-building.
6. It allows constructive criticism of government policies, which checks abuse of power and so promotes good governance and national development.
7. Democracy promotes transparency and accountability.
8. It encourages loyalty to the state since the people/citizens see themselves as part of the democratic process.
9. The people have freedom of choice in the election of those who will represent them in government.
10. It brings about legitimacy, that is, legal and constitutional powers conferred on the leader.
11. It ensures equity, justice and fair play.

What are the disadvantages of democracy?

1. An elected representative at times forgets their people when in a position of power and authority.
2. The interests of the masses are sometimes forgotten.
3. It gives the fate of the masses to only a few people.
4. Minorities at times never have a say in the polity and matters that affect them, since only a few elected people make decisions.
5. It is too expensive to run.
6. It is characterised by selfish interest.
7. Representative democracy is prone to corruption.
8. Duplication of functions.
9. The rigging of an election.
10. Illiteracy.

What factors retard the growth of democracy in Nigeria?

1. Electoral malpractices
2. Lack of proper political education
3. High level of illiteracy/ignorance
4. The high cost of running a democracy
5. Bribery and corruption
6. Elections based on sentiments/ethnicity/tribalism/religion
7. Sit-tight syndrome/tenure elongation
8. Lack of respect for the popular will by politicians
9. Biased electoral umpire
10. Military intervention in politics
11. Political apathy
12. Monetisation of politics
13. Lack of internal democracy among political parties
14. Dictatorial influence of political godfathers/party leaders
15. The proliferation of political parties
16. Inadequate democratic political culture
17. Bad governance/unfulfilled electoral promises
18. Militancy/political thuggery/violence
19. Poverty
20. Erosion of judicial independence

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.

Assignment

1. List five advantages and five disadvantages of democracy.
2. Explain any five factors that retard the growth of democracy in Nigeria.