pillars of democracy by eguriase s. m. okaka

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PILLARS OF DEMOCRACY By Eguriase S. M. Okaka Democracy cannot flourish properly without strong pillars. These pillars are those necessary prerequisites upon which democracy operates. These pillars guarantee enjoyment and survival of democracy in a state.
The pillars of democracy include the following:  The People: The people constitute the basis for democracy. Democracy cannot be practiced in a vacuum. It is a society composed of people that are well informed. People are, therefore, the most important pillars of democracy in the society.  The Constitution: The constitution determines the structure of government with their powers and functions for the welfare and security of the people.  Political Parties: Political parties provide platforms for aspiring candidates and also present alternative choices for the electorate in a democratic setting.  Impartial Electoral Process: This involves the conduct of free and fair elections in a country. It is a pillar that holds democracy firmly. For example, the electoral commission must be independent so that it can operate without fear or favor.  Rule of law: This presupposes that everybody is equal before the law with an equal opportunity of participating in the democratic process. Everybody is equal in the eyes of the law, and nobody is below the minimum standard of law.  Transparency: This connotes social justice, rights from voters’ registration, nomination of candidates for election by political parties, the conduct of election to the final counting of votes and declaration of winners. All of the above processes should be transparent.  Majority Rule and Minority Interest: Majority rule prospers where decisions are taken based on majority votes. However, the rule of the majority is guaranteed while the minority rights are protected at the same time. Other pillars of democracy are: • Strong democratic institutions such as the police, armed forces and anti-corruption bodies like EFCC and ICPC. • Free press • Civil society • Responsible leadership ARMS OF GOVERNMENT Government is the machinery for carrying out the business of a state. Government therefore, functions through three organs namely: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Legislatures: This is the law-making arm of the government. It comprises representatives of the people elected through party politics. The legislature performs the following functions: • Make laws. • Supervise the executive. • Control public expenditure • Screen and approve the appointments of public officeholders like ministers and ambassadors. The Executive: The executive arm of government is a body of persons that implement state policies. It comprises the president, vice-president and other ministers of the federal level. They perform the following functions: • Implement government policies and programs. • Formulate policies for the welfare and security of the people. • Send and receive foreign diplomats and negotiate international treaties and agreement. • Perform ceremonial functions such taking salute during state ceremonials. The Judiciary: The law court is also known as the judicial arm of government. It is the organ responsible for the interpretation of the laws of the state. It is made up of judges, lawyers, the courts e.g. the customary courts, magistrate courts, high courts, special courts known as tribunals appeal courts and Supreme Court. The judiciary performs the following functions: • To protect the citizens. • To interpret laws or the constitution. • To settle disputes among individuals, groups and government. • To serve as a watchdog against the abuse of power. • To punish those who have breached the law. Important of Democracy Democracy is regarded as the best form of government in the world, because it has certain benefits which are lacking in other forms of government. The following are some of its benefits: • Democracy ensures that power belongs to the people: Those who exercise power are only doing so on behalf of the people. Such power can be taken in the next election, if the people feel their representatives are not acting in accordance with their expectation. • Democracy ensures personal freedom: In democracy, people’s rights are guaranteed. Democracy believes in the importance of every individual, thus decision are taken based on discussion. • Human beings are equal: Democracy is based on the fact that all human beings are equal and have an equal opportunity to realize their full potential. • Democracy guards against the abuse of powers: The tendency is for those with political powers to use such powers for their selfish interest. Democracy acts as a check on the abuse of power. • Democracy leads to good governance: Those in government would want to do their best to satisfy the people. • Democracy brings about a stable government: Since everyone has the opportunity to be in government, and this opportunity comes up regularly, the tendency for a change in government through violence is not there. • Democracy protects the rights of the minority: It does this by checking the excesses of the majority in the state through redress in courts and equal opportunity to occupy political and administrative positions in a state. Questions • Explain pillars of democracy. • List five pillars of democracy. • Discuss the roles of three of the pillars of democracy. • What role does the legislature play as an arm of government? • What role does the executive and the judiciary plays in governance? Eguria.blogspot.com

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courage by eguriase s. m. okaka

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COURAGE By Eguriase S. M. Okaka Meaning of Courage Courage is the strength to do what is difficult or dangerous without fear. It is also the determination to face pain, fear, hardship, danger, uncertainty or intimidation without being afraid. Courage is a very important quality to overcoming challenges. It also enables communities, societies, and nations to pursue a course and make progress. This is positive courage or courage that the society approves for it members to displayed. We also have negative courage, which is the boldness or fearlessness to do what is wrong and harmful to oneself, others, and the society. Negative courage includes courage to commit suicide, murder, arson, kidnapping, illegal bunkering, rape, shoplifting, tax evasion, resist punishment by school authority, etc. This type of courage does not bring progress to the society. Thus, it is not approved by the society. Types of Courage There are three main types of courage in the society – physical, moral and s...
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human rights and the rule of law by eguriase s. m. okaka

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HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW By Eguriase S. M. Okaka The Rule of Law Law is the body of rules and regulations that guide the government and the governed (citizens). A law is also the body or system of rules recognized by a community and enforceable by an established process. Such laws are contained in the constitution which can be written or unwritten. The law prescribes rights and responsibilities of the citizens to the state and also clarifies the powers of the government. This indicates that the law of every community, state or nation should be respected by everybody irrespective of their status. The rule of law on the other hand, means the supremacy of law over every person in the state. Rule of law emphasizes the principles of supremacy of law, equality before the law and the enjoyment of individual rights. The doctrine of rule of law is credited to Prof. A. V. Dicey, who states that every political leader that is assigned with the role of controlling the affairs of a stat...
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