Study Guide/Possible FRQ’s for Unit 7: The LEAST You Need to Know!

Describe how the Nigerian armed forces undermined the stability of the Nigerian state between 1960 and 1999. Identify the commander in chief of the armed forces in Nigeria as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution of 1999.

Describe how the Nigerian armed forces have been used to strengthen the stability of the Nigerian state since 1999.

Between 1960 and 1999, the Nigerian armed forces undermined the stability of the state through multiple military coups and authoritarian regimes, which resulted in political repression and ethnic conflicts.

The 1999 Nigerian Constitution designates the President as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces. Since then, the military has been employed to enhance state stability by combating insurgencies and maintaining internal security, thereby supporting democratic governance.

Define the term “regime” has used in comparative politics. Using Nigeria as an example, describe the difference between
regime change and a change in government.

a "regime" refers to the underlying structure that governs political authority and influences the political system of a country, including its laws, practices, and political culture.

In Nigeria, regime change signifies a significant transformation in the fundamental political framework, such as moving from military rule to democratic governance. Conversely, a change in government pertains to the replacement of one administration with another within the same regime, such as when a new elected president takes office without altering the democratic framework established.

Describe how the presidential runoff system is used in various AP6 countries and why it is used.

The presidential runoff system is employed in various AP6 countries to ensure that elected leaders possess wider electoral support. When no candidate achieves a majority in the first election, a runoff occurs between the leading candidates to determine the winner. This approach enhances democratic legitimacy by requiring the elected president to secure over 50% of the vote, reflecting a broader consensus among the electorate.

Identify a country from the AP Comparative Government and Politics course that exhibits procedural democracy but not
substantive democracy. Explain your answer by contrasting the concepts “procedural democracy” and “substantive
democracy.”

Nigeria serves as an example of a country exhibiting procedural democracy without achieving substantive democracy. Procedural democracy focuses on the mechanisms of democracy, such as holding regular elections and having constitutional frameworks, which Nigeria has in place. However, substantive democracy emphasizes the quality of democracy, including the protection of civil liberties, rule of law, and political equality. In Nigeria, despite regular elections, issues such as political corruption, ethnic tensions, and human rights abuses undermine the effective functioning of democracy, thus compromising its substantive aspects.

Identify a country from the AP Comparative Government and Politics course that exhibits procedural democracy but not
substantive democracy. Explain your answer by contrasting the concepts “procedural democracy” and “substantive
democracy.”

Nigeria exemplifies a country that has procedural democracy without achieving substantive democracy. Procedural democracy involves formal processes such as regular elections and adherence to constitutional frameworks, which Nigeria has in place. In contrast, substantive democracy emphasizes the quality of democracy, including the protection of civil liberties and political equality. In Nigeria, despite holding regular elections, persistent issues like political corruption, ethnic violence, and human rights abuses undermine the effectiveness and quality of its democratic processes.

Define rentier state. Describe Nigeria’s rentier state.

A rentier state is a country that derives a significant portion of its national revenues from the rent of its natural resources to external clients, rather than from domestic taxation or productive economic activity.

Nigeria serves as a prominent example of a rentier state, primarily relying on its vast oil reserves for government revenue. This dependency on oil exports has led to a lack of diversification in its economy, creating vulnerabilities such as political instability, corruption, and underdevelopment in other sectors, as the government focuses on managing oil wealth instead of fostering broader economic growth.

Describe the term limit rule in Mexico and Nigeria and why countries emerging from authoritarian

In Mexico, the term limit rule restricts presidents to a single six-year term, known as 'sexenio,' intended to prevent the return of authoritarian rule and encourage democratic governance. Conversely, Nigeria's constitution permits a maximum of two four-year terms for its president, allowing for re-election. Both countries, having emerged from authoritarian regimes, adopted these term limits as mechanisms to promote accountability and prevent the concentration of power in the executive branch.

(a) Describe one similarity in the procedure for selecting the President in Iran and in Nigeria.

(b) Describe two differences in the procedure for selecting the President in Iran and in Nigeria.

(c) Explain why the Nigerian President has more power than the Iranian President.

(a) One similarity in the procedure for selecting the President in Iran and Nigeria is that both countries hold elections to appoint their leaders.

(b) Two differences include that in Iran, candidates are subject to approval by the Guardian Council, limiting electoral choices, while Nigeria allows for competitive elections with broader candidate selection. Additionally, the Iranian President's powers are often limited by the influence of the Supreme Leader, whereas the Nigerian President exercises significant executive authority.

(c) The Nigerian President has more power than the Iranian President because the Nigerian system grants the President substantial control over the military and significant influence in governance, unlike the Iranian President, whose authority is often overshadowed by the Supreme Leader and other unelected bodies.

Compare and contrast the federal system of Russia and Nigeria. Explain the advantages of having a federal system. Explain how federalism has been limited lately in Russia.

Federalism in Russia and Nigeria features multiple levels of government, each with its own jurisdiction, promoting local governance and representation. Advantages of federal systems include the ability to address regional diversity and distribute power more evenly. Recently, Russian federalism has faced centralization, diminishing the autonomy of regional governments in favor of increased control by the federal government.

The governments of both Great Britain and Nigeria have responded to domestic terrorism in the last twenty-five years.

(a)
Identify one group that has engaged in terrorism in Great Britain and describe its major demand.

(b) Describe one policy
response the government of Great Britain adopted to address domestic terrorism.

(c) Identify one group that has engaged in
terrorism in Nigeria and describe its major demand.

(d) Describe one policy response the government of Nigeria adopted to address domestic terrorism.

(a) One group that has engaged in terrorism in Great Britain is the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which seeks the unification of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.
(b) The government of Great Britain adopted the Terrorism Act of 2000, which allows law enforcement to detain individuals without charge for up to fourteen days.
(c) In Nigeria, Boko Haram is a prominent terrorist group that demands the establishment of an Islamic state governed by strict Sharia law.
(d) The Nigerian government has responded by launching military operations against Boko Haram and increasing security measures in affected regions.

Describe how the patron-client system contributes to corruption in Nigeria.

The patron-client system in Nigeria contributes to corruption by fostering an environment where political loyalty is maintained through the exchange of favors and resources. Politicians provide benefits to their clients in exchange for support, leading to a culture of nepotism and cronyism. This system undermines accountability, as elected officials often prioritize personal and partisan interests over public service, resulting in misallocation of resources and widespread corruption.

Nigeria has many ethnic and religious groups, and as a result, it has difficulty unifying as a nation.

(a) Define the term federal
character.

(b) Provide one example of how federalism causes fragmentation in Nigeria.

(c) Provide one example of how
federalism serves as a unifying force in Nigeria.

(a) The term federal refers to a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and individual political units (states or regions).
(b) One example of how federalism causes fragmentation in Nigeria is that it allows different states to enact laws that cater to diverse ethnic and religious groups, which can create conflicting regulations and tensions.
(c) Federalism serves as a unifying force in Nigeria by allowing regions to maintain their cultural identities while still being part of a larger national framework, providing representation for various groups in the government.

As in many multiethnic countries, religious and ethnic tensions are prominent in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

(a) Describe federalism in Nigeria.

(b) Explain one way Nigeria’s federal structure accommodates different religious groups
AND one way the federal structure accommodates different ethnic groups

(c) Identify the type of electoral system used in Nigeria.

(d) Explain two ways the Nigerian electoral system accommodates different ethnic groups.

(e) Explain why Nigeria’s federal structure has been unable to resolve tensions in the Niger River delta

(a): Nigeria's federalism divides power between the central government and 36 states, each with its own government, allowing for regional autonomy while addressing national issues.

(b): Sharia law operates in northern states alongside civil law, accommodating Muslim practices. The creation of states based on ethnic groups (e.g., Yoruba in the southwest, Hausa-Fulani in the north) ensures ethnic representation.

(c): Nigeria uses a mixed electoral system combining First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) for presidential and legislative elections and Proportional Representation for some regional elections.

(d): Equal Senate representation for each state ensures ethnic groups are represented. The requirement to win 25% of votes in two-thirds of states ensures broad, multi-ethnic support.

(e): Nigeria’s federal structure hasn't resolved Niger Delta tensions due to poor resource distribution, lack of local control over oil revenue, and ethnic competition for power, alongside corruption and ineffective governance.