MSS-J135 Government Course Flashcards

General Objectives and Structure of MSS-J135 Government

The MSS-J135 Government syllabus is designed to provide candidates with a comprehensive understanding of political science, public administration, and international relations. By the conclusion of this series of courses, students are expected to be able to analyze the fundamental concepts, principles, and institutions that define government and politics. The curriculum aims to explain the structures and processes of governance while facilitating a deep discussion on the historical, political, and constitutional stages of Nigeria's development from the pre-colonial era unto the present day. Additionally, the syllabus requires candidates to evaluate the political systems across various African states and engage in critical discussions regarding contemporary issues in African government and politics.

The academic program is divided into four primary courses across two semesters. The first semester includes GOV 001: Elements of Government and Politics (3 Units) and GOV 002: Ideologies & Processes of Government and Politics (3 Units). The second semester continues with GOV 003: Nigerian Government and Politics (3 Units) and GOV 004: African Government and Politics (3 Units).

Nature and Scope of Government and Politics (GOV 001)

The GOV 001 course serves as an introduction to the subject matter of government and politics. Candidates are expected to gain deep knowledge for general application to political structures, institutions, and processes. This includes defining the rationale for studying government as an academic discipline and debating the scientific status of politics. The study of government utilizes various methodologies and approaches, specifically: Philosophical, Normative, Institutional, Historical, Comparative, Qualitative and Quantitative, Behavioural, and Empirical approaches.

Political science is inherently interdisciplinary, maintaining strong relationships with several other academic fields, including History, Law, Economics, Geography, Sociology, and Psychology. The scope of the discipline is vast, encompassing specialized areas such as Political Theory, Political Economy, International Relations, Public Administration, Local Government, Comparative Politics, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Security and Development Studies.

Basic Concepts, the State, and Constitutional Governance

A fundamental part of political study involves understanding core concepts that define political interaction. These include Power, Influence, Authority, Legitimacy, and Sovereignty. Furthermore, students explore the concepts of the Nation, Political Culture, Political Socialization, and Political Participation. The modern state is analyzed through its definition, purpose, and functions, alongside various theories and characteristics. States are classified into types, notably Unitary, Federal, and Confederal systems.

The structure of government is traditionally divided into three branches: the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. Candidates must study the functions, relationships, strengths, and weaknesses of these branches. Different forms of government are explored, including Democracy, Monarchy, Oligarchy, Aristocracy, Military rule, Theocracy, and Gerontocracy. Systems of government are further categorized as Presidential, Parliamentary, Republican, Unitary, Federal, or Confederal. There is also a distinct focus on the differentiating factors between "government" and "governance."

Constitutional study covers the definition and types of constitutions, such as Written and Unwritten, Unitary and Federal, and Flexible and Rigid. The objectives of a constitution include empowering states, establishing values and goals, providing government stability, protecting freedom, and legitimizing regimes. Constitutionalism is defined by its core features: the Rule of Law, Separation of Powers, Supremacy of the Constitution, Fundamental Human Rights, Independence of the Judiciary, and Checks and Balances. Finally, the course addresses Citizenship, including its meaning, ways of acquisition, and the associated rights, duties, and obligations of citizens.

Political Thoughts, Ideologies, and Electoral Processes (GOV 002)

GOV 002 focuses on political philosophies and the mechanisms of political systems. Students study major political thoughts, including the Social Contract Theory as proposed by Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau, as well as Utilitarianism as developed by John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham. The course also defines the nature and functions of various ideologies, including Communalism, Feudalism, Capitalism and Imperialism, Fascism and Nazism, Marxism, Socialism and Communism, Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, Anarchism, Feminism, and Environmentalism.

The course details the nature of political organizations, defining the functions and organs of Political Parties and different Party Systems. It examines Pressure Groups, their functions, and modes of operation, while providing a comparison between parties and pressure groups. Public Opinion and Propaganda are explored through their definitions, functions, and measurement strategies.

Electoral systems are categorized by types of elections, such as Primary, General, Bye-election, and Run-off elections. The evolution of suffrage is studied alongside conditions for free and fair elections. The historical background of elections in Nigeria is highlighted through its management bodies: the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), National Electoral Commission (NEC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Nigeria's general elections from 1959, 1964, 1979, 1983, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 are examined, along with the recurring problems facing elections in the country.

Public Administration and International Relations

Public Administration is studied by analyzing the differences and similarities between public and private sectors. Key theories include Administrative theory, Scientific management theory, Bureaucratic theory, and Human relation theory. The Civil Service is examined through its characteristics and functions. The policy process is broken down into three stages: Policy Formulation, Implementation, and Evaluation. Additionally, the course addresses the functions and challenges of public corporations and local governments in Nigeria.

In the realm of International Relations, the course distinguishes it from International Politics and explores the objectives and determinants of Foreign Policy, specifically within the Nigerian context. The impact of globalization is a key topic. Students are expected to learn the history, structure, achievements, and failures of international organizations, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.

Nigerian Government and Politics (GOV 003)

GOV 003 covers the pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial history of Nigeria. This includes the indigenous governmental systems of the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo peoples. Colonial history covers the 1914 Amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria, the Indirect Rule system, the growth of nationalism, and constitutional development from 1922 through 1960 and into the present.

The course tracks the development of political parties chronologically. Colonial and First Republic parties include the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC), Action Group (AG), Northern Peoples’ Congress (NPC), NEPU, UMBC, NNDP, NDC, and UNIP. Second Republic parties include the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NPP), Great Nigeria Peoples’ Party (GNPP), Peoples’ Redemption Party (PRP), and Nigeria Advance Party (NAP). Third Republic parties include the National Republican Convention (NRC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP). Fourth Republic parties included are the All Peoples’ Party (APP), Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

Major political crises are documented, including the Aba women riot of 1929, the Kano riots of 1953, the Action Group crisis of 1962, the census crisis of 1962/63, the Nigerian-Biafra civil war (1967-1970), the June 12 1993 crisis, and the 2011 post-election violence. Modern security issues discussed include the Niger Delta crisis, Boko Haram terrorism, and Farmer-Herder conflicts.

Military intervention is a major theme, focusing on reasons for coups and the characteristics of military rule in Africa. Students examine military intervention in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Uganda, Egypt, and Congo. The specific Nigerian regimes of Ironsi, Gowon, Muritala, Obasanjo, Buhari/Idiagbon, Babangida, Abacha, and Abdulsalami Abubakar are analyzed regarding their achievements, failures, and the transition programs leading to disengagement from politics.

African Government and Politics (GOV 004)

GOV 004 provides a historical and contemporary overview of the continent. It highlights Africa's contributions to world civilization before European invasion, including the development of writing technology and the manpower used to build the "new world." The course analyzes self-reliant political empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, as well as the Zulu, Kanem-Bornu, and Benin kingdoms.

European invasion strategies are identified as the Slave trade, Legitimate trade, Missionaries, Colonialism, Treaties of friendship and protection, and Military conquests. The Scramble for and Partitioning of Africa is emphasized, specifically the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. The Apartheid regime in South Africa is addressed alongside African responses to invasion, such as resistance and negotiation. The meaning, origin, and manifestations of Neocolonialism are also critical components. Colonial administration systems like Indirect Rule, Assimilation, and Association are compared. Finally, nationalist movements in both British and French West Africa are detailed, leading to modern issues of democratization, ethnicity, poverty, leadership problems, migration, and human trafficking.

Recommended Texts

The following texts are recommended for the course sequence:

  1. Adamolekun, L. (2004). Politics and Administration in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.
  2. Anifowose, R. and Enemuo, F. (eds.) (1999). Elements of Politics. Lagos: Sam Iroanusi Publishers.
  3. Anyabolu, I. O. (2000). Nigeria: Past to Present. Enugu: Classic Publishing Company Limited.
  4. Appadorai, A. (1979). The Substance of Politics. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
  5. Awofeso, O. (2014). Constitutional Development in Nigeria: Historical and Political Analysis. Lagos: MacGrace Publishers.
  6. Bassey, O.C and Ozumba G.O (eds) (2012). Introduction to Political Science. Lagos: Concept Publications.
  7. Ebegbulem, J.C. (2016) Government and Politics of the Modern State. Calabar: Clearliness Publications Limited.
  8. Eminue, O. (2001) Introduction to Political Science. Calabar: Cats Publishers.
  9. Ezeani E.O (2006). Fundamentals of Public Administration. Enugu: Snaap Press Publishers Nigeria Limited.
  10. Ezeibe, C. (2016) ABC of Political Economy: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding the State and Economy. Nsukka: University Press.
  11. Heywood, A. (2007) Politics (3rd ed). Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
  12. Koonings, K. and Kruijt, D. (eds.) (2002). Political Armies: The Military and Nation Building in the Age of Democracy. London and New York: Zed Books.
  13. Nnoli, O. (1978). Ethnic Politics in Nigeria. Enugu: Four. (2003). Introduction to Politics. Enugu: PARCREP Publishers.
  14. Oguonu, C.N. (2014) Management and Development: A Contemporary Reading in Public Administration. Abuja: Premium Publishing House.
  15. Okolie, A. M and Onah, V.C (eds). (2016). Politics and Law in Africa. Abakaliki: Appleseed and Willyrose.
  16. Omotosho, M (2012). Basic Concepts in Citizenship. Kaduna: T90 Publicity.
  17. Oyediran, O (2007). Nigerian Constitutional Development. Ibadan: Oyediran Consults International.
  18. Oyediran, O et al. (eds.) (2011). New Approach: Government. Lagos: Longman.
  19. Oyediran, O. (1998). Introduction to Political Science. Ibadan: Oyediran Consults International.
  20. Rumki, B. (2005). Public Administration: Concepts and Theories. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers Private Limited.
  21. Stillman, R. (2009). Public Administration: Concepts and Cases (9th ed). Boston Wadsworth: Cengage Learning.
  22. Subrata, M and Sushila R. (2007). A History Political Thought: Plato to Marx. New Delhi: Prentice-Hall of India Private Limited.
  23. Thompson, A. (2016). An Introduction to African Politics (4th ed.). London: Routledge.