Posted by Chester Morton / Tuesday 15 March 2016 / No comments
The functions of a state
Maintenance Law and Order
It is the duty of the state to maintain
law and order in the state. This duty is performed by the Police Department
of the state. When the state performs this function, it creates a peaceful environment for all the citizens.
Guarantee of Fundamental Human
Rights
Another function of the state is
to guarantee the rights of its citizens especially the fundamental ones like
the right to life. This creates the environment for the citizens to enjoy everything the
state has to offer.
Protection of Citizens
It is the function of a state to protect
the rights of its citizens. The rights of the citizen include the right to life, freedom of association, free movement, to own property, etc. This responsibility is carried out
on behalf of the government by the combined effort of two arms of government, the
Judiciary and the Executive.
Provision of Social Amenities
It is the responsibility of the state to provide such social amenities like schools, hospitals, roads, potable water, electricity, public toilet facilities,
recreational facilities, housing, etc. This function is carried out by
government agencies but in recent times, some governments create the enabling
environment for some individuals to provide these amenities for profit.
Conduct of External Relations
A country cannot live in
isolation. For this reason, the state establishes external relationships with
other countries to inure to the mutual benefit of all. This
function is dedicated to the ministries of Foreign Affairs of the countries
involved.
Provision of Employment
It is the function of the state
to provide employment for its citizens. In many countries, this is included in
the constitution of the state. In Africa, for example, where entrepreneurship
is minimal, the bulk of the employment is created by the state through state and Para-state
institutions.
Promotion of Economic Activities
It is the function of the state
to promote the economic development of the country. The government could
establish public corporations to produce goods and services for the people or
create the enabling environment for private individuals to do so
1.a. What is a state?
b. Explain five functions of a state.
2. a. highlight six functions of a state.
TRY
THESE OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS ON THE STATE
Test
One
1. A
unique feature of a state is to
A.
maintain law and order
B. provide
transport services
C.
engage in campaign and rallies
D.
imprison criminals
2. A
unique feature of a state is
A.
information
B.
anarchy
C.
organized laws
D.
direct democracy
3. The
functions of a state are achieved through
A.
Political socialization
B.
Separation of power
C.
organs of government
D.
diplomatic means
4.
Absence of government in a state is referred to as
A.
anarchy
B.
confusion
C.
coup d’tat
D.
instability
5.
Which of the following is not an aim
for the existence of a state?
A.
Promotion of economic independence.
B.
Provision of welfare services.
C.
Maintenance of external relations
D.
Promotion of a common lingua franca.
6. The
state is different from the government because
A. the
state, unlike the government, is permanent.
B.
government is made up of powerful people.
C.
members of the government are related.
D. the
state is created by God.
7.
Which of the following limits the sovereignty of a state?
A. The
Armed Forces.
B.
Membership of international bodies.
C.
Constitutional restrains
D.
Acts of Parliament
8. A
state is legally governed with
A. a
draft constitution
B. an
approved constitution
C.
bye-laws
D.
statutory instrument
9. The
supreme power of a state over citizens unrestrained by law refers to
A.
autocracy
B. decree
C.
sovereignty
D.
legitimacy
10.
Which of the following is a duty of a state?
A.
Ensuring justice.
B.
Provision of security.
C.
Provision of welfare services.
D.
Encouraging political instability.
Test
Two
1. Which of the following is
a feature a modern state?
A. Territory.
B. Acts of Parliament.
C. Political party
D. Electoral boundary.
2. The primary function of a state is to
A. implement policies of the opposition
party.
B. provide social facilities.
C. maintain law and order.
D. formulate policies for the opposition.
3. The
power of the state beyond which no other power exists is known as
A.
legitimacy.
B.
sovereignty.
C.
authority.
D.
democracy.
4. A
state’s power to make and enforce laws without any limitation is called
A.
legitimacy.
B.
sovereignty.
C.
authority.
D.
order.
5.
Freedom of the state from any form of control may be termed as
A.
dependence.
B.
sovereignty.
C.
power.
D.
authority.
6. Which
of the following is a feature of a state?
A.
Definite territory.
B. The
Sea.
C.
Political party.
D.
Democracy.
7. A
politically independent state has its own
A.
sovereignty.
B.
legitimacy.
C.
authority.
D.
power.
8. A
state is sovereign only when
A. it
protects its citizens.
B. the
minorities are permitted in parliament.
C. it
owes no allegiance to any external power.
D.
there is absolute freedom in the state.
9. The
word state means that
A. a
society of kinship relationship is formed.
B. a
political authority is established on a defined territorial area.
C. a
group of people owes loyalty to a leader.
D.
rules and regulations exist for an association of persons.
10. A
state is a special form of human association because it
A. has
a legitimate monopoly of life and death penalties over its citizens.
B. it
is the riches association in society.
C. has
a constitution approved by the citizens.
D. has
a government.
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