the government by the people (democracy) by eguriase s. m. okaka
The Government by the People (Democracy)
By Eguriase S. M. Okaka
Democracy means government by the people. The term is derived from Greek word demos, meaning ‘people’, and ‘kratos’, meaning ‘rule’. In a democracy, the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. The general principle of democracy is that the majority rules while the minority rights are protected.
According to Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Democracy links government to the people. That is, it gives everyone an opportunity to participate. This is why it is a popular form of governance in most countries of the world. The principles of democracy can also be used in other areas of life e.g. in business, in schools and at home.
Democracy has two types: Direct democracy and indirect (representative) democracy. In direct-democracy, the power of decision-making is exercised by the people directly without intermediaries or representatives. Indirect democracy, on the other hand, restricts mass participation in government. The citizens do not exercise power directly but merely select those who will rule on their behalf.
Features of Democracy
The following are the distinguishing features democracy:
• Majority Rule: The majority rules while the minority must have their say. The minority forms the opposition. This allows for the survival of the opposition.
• Popular Participation: The citizens of a country effectively participate in electing their leaders, and they make their views known. No individual is prevented from competing for any political position.
• Existence of Rule of Law: The law of the land, that is, the constitution, is supreme or above every other law, whether rich or poor. Everyone has equal rights and opportunities and the rule of law guarantees respect for these rights.
• Fundamental Human Rights: The rights of the people are upheld. The people’s rights are: right to life, freedom of movement, association, speech and other rights are guaranteed by the constitution in democracy.
• Free and Fair Periodic Elections: Election of the representatives of the people is free and fair. People are free to choose who they want as their leaders, and the process of electing leaders is fair and credible. Elections are also regular. In Nigeria, elections are conducted every four years and the electorates are free to cast their votes under the dictates of their conscience. To protect the voter from all forms of attacks, elections are held in a secret ballot system.
• Separation of powers: In a democracy, there is separation of powers between those who make laws, those who execute the laws, and those who interpret and enforce the laws. Power is not concentrated in the hands of one group of people or a person. The three arms of government have specific powers and they function to forestall abuse of power.
• Multi-party system: Political parties are more than one in a democratic state. People can join whichever party that suits them.
• Press freedom: In a democracy, the press, that is the newspapers, radio, and television stations, are free to operate so that people can air their views without the fear of being molested or arrested.
• Impartial electoral commission: For democracy to flourish there must an imperartial be electoral umpire. It is the responsibility of this body to conduct elections. It must comprise men of impeccable character who are just and honest. Election must be free and fair, and devoid of violence in the process of selecting leaders.
Democratic Institutions in Nigeria and their Functions
Democratic institutions in Nigeria include:
• Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): It is the body charged with the responsibility of conducting elections in Nigeria. It is an independent and impartial body that never supports or has loyalty to any political party. It is expected to conduct free and fair elections.
INEC is headed by a chairman with twelve (12) national commissioners and thirty-six (36) states reside commissioners.
Functions of INEC
• To organize and conduct elections into political positions.
• To register political parties for general elections.
• To register voters who have attained voting age, that is 18 years above.
• To print ballot papers for elections.
• To delineate the country into electoral districts called constituency. An electoral district is any area designated for the purpose of election.
• To appoint ad-hoc staff that assist in the conduction of an election.
• To enlighten the public on how to votes, i.e., voters education.
• To declare the winners of election.
• To register and screen candidates that is to stand for elective position.
• Political parties: A political party is made up of a group of people who share similar political ideas and want to gain control of power to form a government. We have had several political parties in Nigeria since independence to date. Examples of political parties in Nigeria are Action Group (AG), National Peoples Congress (NPC), Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP), All Progressive Congress (APC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), and Alliance for Democracy (AD), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), KOWA, Action Alliance, etc.
Functions of Political Parties
• To control political power.
• To present candidates for election.
• To unite people with similar ideas or aspirations concerning the governing of a country.
• To educate the people on important issues concerning the country and what they stand for.
• To nominate candidates who would govern the state, for elections.
• To ensure a smooth transition from one government to another.
• To promote national integration and unity.
• Pressure Groups: A pressure group is an organized group of persons who seek to influence government policy or advance a particular cause or interest. It is also known as an advocacy group or interest group.
Functions of Pressure Group
• Pressure groups look after the interest of its members.
• They influence government policies in a direction beneficial to members of the society.
• They serve as a source of information to bureaucrats and lawmakers.
• They function as platforms for the development of political consciousness through demonstration and enlightenment programs on national issues.
• Pressure groups are a source of public opinion on issues of national importance; and often protest against violations of rights of citizens.
• 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
• Define the term democracy.
• List five features of democracy.
• Differentiate between direct and representative democracy.
• Explain two democratic institutions in Nigeria and state their functions.
• Outline five benefits of democracy to the citizens.
Class Activity: Find out the kind of governing system that was practiced in your home town in the olden days. Write down your findings and discuss your report in class.
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