Why is it necesssary to study government as a subject?

REASONS WHY PEOPLE STUDY GOVERNMENT

Helps to acquire knowledge about the functions of Government.

The study helps the student to know what is meant by political development, how a country is organized and the means by which the matters of state are managed.

Promotes participation in Government

The study of government enables individuals to understand the processes by which a government functions. With the understanding thus acquired, they are able to take part in how their country is governed.

Learners are able to understand the various types of Government

There are several systems of government. There is the Presidential system, the Parliamentary system, unitary, federal systems of government, etc. The study of government helps the individual to understand these various systems and also why one type of system or the other is preferred by a country.

Helps to understand a country’s socio-economic system

A study of government helps the student to understand the socio-economic system that pertains in his/her country. The student is able to, for example, appreciate why a country adopts socialism and another adopts capitalism or any other economic and social-political systems known to man.

Helps people to know their right, duties, and responsibilities

The study of government raises the awareness of people about the rights that they are entitled to. They also know their responsibilities as citizens and what duties they are to perform in return for the rights they enjoy. 

It helps people to assert their rights

Having acquired the knowledge about one’s rights as pointed out earlier, people are able to assert their right, when they think someone wants to infringe upon it. This is especially relevant in Africa and other less democratic countries where democracy is not well-rooted.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STUDY OF GOVERNMENT

In spite of the many good reasons put forward for the study of government, there are some problems associated with its study. Three possible problems have been put forward.

Impracticable

It is not easy to put into practice all the mechanism in the various systems of government. Some countries say they are democratic but they are not able to practice to the letter, all the principles of democracy. 

Too many systems of Government

There are too many systems of government in the world and it requires a considerable effort to study all the complexities involved and decide which one is good for a country.

The subject of Government is very broad

Government as an academic field of study covers a wide area because its frontiers have not been fully defined. As it stands, the subject encompasses fields like economics, history, International Relations, sociology, etc.

SAMPLE QUESTION(S)

1. a. What is government as an academic field of study?

    b. Give five reasons why people study government.

2. State six (6) reasons why the study of government is necessary.

3. a. What is government as an academic field of study?

    b. What three major problems are encountered in the study of government as a subject?

TRY THESE OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS ON THE SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT

Test One

1. The absence of government in a state may create

A. a classless society

B. anarchy

C. gerantocracy

D. meritocracy

2. Which of the following is a major function performed by government?

A. Provision of security

B. Provision of immortality vacancies

C. reducing the birth rate

D. Increasing the death rate

3. A major characteristic of government is

A. anonymity

B. resistance

C. sovereignty

D. homogeneity

4. Government as an academic field of study is best defined as the study of the

A. function of government

B. various disciplines of government

C. implementation of the laws of a state

D. relationship between ethnic groups in a state

5. Government refers to all the following except

A. an academic field of study

B. a process of making and enforcing laws

C. an institution made up of people with common interest

D. an organized group of people that formulate policies

6. As an academic field of study, the study of government does not include

A. political economy

B. comparative politics

C. public administration

D. ecological interaction

7. Government as an institution of state is defined as a body which

A. conducts elections for the nation

B. makes, enforces and interprets laws for the state

C. hires and trains political leaders

D. makes and interprets laws

8. The study of government in school is important because the student can

A. be assisted by political leaders

B. learn about their rights

C. qualify for elections

D. be nominated for a trip abroad

9. The primary function of a state is to

A. maintain law and order

B. provide transport services

C. engage in campaigns and rallies

D. imprison criminals

10. Government as a subject refers to the study of

A. territorial expansion

B. political leaders

C. the various nations of the world

D. the institution of the state

Test Two

1. Government is distinguished from the state because it

A. can be changed periodically

B. does not operate in any defined territory

C. is a loose structure

D. forces its will on the people of the state

2. A government is legitimate if it

A. it comes to power through a coup d’tat

B. is not responsive

C. provides social services to the people

D. has the mandate of the people to rule

3. Government as a process or art of governing means

A. voting at general elections

B. orders of the judiciary and police

C. activities of political leaders and pressure groups

D. activities for making and forcing laws in a state

4. Government can be made responsible and accountable to its citizens through the following methods except

A. periodic change of government

B. demonstration

C. political education

D. public opinion

5. Government as an academic field of study refers to the

A. the President and his Ministers

B. study of political institutions and processes

C. workings of the organs of government

D. membership of international organizations

6. Which of the following is related to government as a process of governing?

A. Implementation and adjudication of law.

B. The role of pressure groups within the state.

C. Disagreement between state and local government.

D. Abrogation of Fundamental Human Rights.

7. Government as an art of governing refers to the process of

A. ruling people in the society

B. establishing political parties

C. providing free education

D. Acquiring social skills

8. A government is said to be legitimate if it

A. has the people’s mandate to rule

B. is not oppressive

C. provides social amenities to the people

D. accepts people’s criticism

9. Government as an institution of state refers to the

A. police and the armed forces

B. judiciary, the president and his Ministers

C. legislature, the executive and the judiciary

D. economic and political institutions

10. Government as an institution of state can best be defined as a body that

A. recruits and trains political leaders

B. settles disputes and interprets laws for the state

C. legislates, executes and interprets laws for the state

D. conducts elections for the state

Test Three

1. Government refers to all the following, except

A. an institution of state

B. the process of ruling a political community

C. the exercise of power and authority

D. the act of civil disobedience

2. Which of the following is not a means by which government maintains law and order?

A. Lawmaking.

B. Maintenance of police and other security personnel.

C. Provision of socio-economic services.

D. Establishment of provisional associations.

3. The institutions and processes connected with making, enforcing and reviewing of laws in any society is referred to as the

A. judiciary

B. constitutional drafting committee

C. government

D. Bar Association

4. The term government refers to the following except

A. an academic field of study

B. a process of governing

C. a process of making and enforcing laws in a state

D. an institution made up of persons with common interest

5. Government as an institution of state means the

A. method of organizing political parties

B. process of decision-making in a society

C. methods of resolution of conflicts among people

D. structures and system for decision-making

6. Functions of government include the following except

A. maintenance of peace and order

B. provision of social services

C. protection of citizens from malicious attacks

D. provision of free medical services

7. The primary function of government in a state is to

A. build schools and hospitals

B. provide transport services

C. engage in campaigns and rallies

D. maintain law and order

8. Which of the following is a characteristic of government as an institution of state?

A. Socialization

B. Anomic group

C. Political power

D. Political group

9. The study of government is essential for the promotion of all the following except

A. good government

B. political anarchy

C. political stability

D. political participation

10. An institution set up by a society to control and manage public affairs of a country is referred to as

A. state

B. nation

C. government

D. judiciary

Answers to objective questions>> 

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