POLITICS
&
GOVERNM
ENT
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS &
GOVERNMENT
Definition of Politics: Politics is the process of making decisions that apply
to members of a group, typically in a governance context. It involves the
activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the
debate between parties having power
Definition of Government: Government is the system or group of people
governing an organized community, often a state. It sets and administers
public policy and exercises executive, political, and sovereign power through
customs, institutions, and laws within a state.
IMPORTANCE IN SOCIETY
Order and Stability: Governments provide a framework for laws and
regulations that maintain order and stability in society.
•Public Services: Governments provide essential services such as education,
healthcare, infrastructure, and public safety.
•Protection of Rights: Governments protect the rights and freedoms of
individuals, ensuring justice and equality.
•Economic Management: Governments manage economic policies and
systems to promote growth and development.
•International Relations: Governments represent their countries in
international affairs, promoting diplomacy and cooperation.
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
Functions:
•Maintaining Order: Ensuring laws are followed and peace is kept.
•Providing Public Services: Offering essential services like education, healthcare, and
infrastructure.
•Ensuring National Security: Protecting the country from external threats.
•Making Economic Decisions: Managing the economy through policies, taxation, and
spending.
Levels of Government:
•Local: Governs cities, towns, and communities.
•State: Governs larger region.
•Federal: Governs the entire nation
TYPES OF POLITICAL SYSTEM
Democracy:
Authoritarianism
Monarchy
Totalitarianism
DEMOCRACY
Definition: A system of government by the whole population, typically
through elected representatives.
Charectristics:
•Popular Sovereignty: The power of the government is vested in the
people.
•Political Equality: Equal rights and opportunities for all citizens to
participate in political processes.
•Majority Rule and Minority Rights: Decisions are made by majority vote,
but minority rights are protected.
•Rule of Law: Laws are applied equally to all citizens, ensuring justice
TYPES OF DEMOCRACY
•Types of Democracy: Direct Democracy: Citizens directly participate in decision-
making (e.g., Switzerland).
•Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on
their behalf (e.g., United States).
AUTHORITARIANISM
Definition: A system of government with strong central power and limited
political freedoms.
Characteristics:
•Centralized Authority: Power is concentrated in a single leader or a small
group.
•Limited Political Pluralism: Restriction of political opposition and
suppression of dissent.
•Control Over Society: Extensive control over public and private life, including
media, education, and economy.
•Lack of Civil Liberties: Limited freedom of speech, assembly, and press.
MONARCHY
Types of Monarchy:
•Absolute Monarchy: The monarch has almost complete control over the government and is
not bound by a constitution (e.g., Saudi Arabia).
•Constitutional Monarchy: The monarch's powers are limited by law or a formal constitution,
and they often act as ceremonial heads of state (e.g., United Kingdom).
Characteristics:
•Hereditary Rule: Leadership is typically passed down through family lines.
•Varied Political Power: Depending on the type, monarchs may have varying degrees of
political influence.
Examples:
•Absolute Monarchies: Saudi Arabia, Brunei.
•Constitutional Monarchies: United Kingdom, Japan, Sweden.
TOTALITARIANISM
Definition: A political system where the state holds total authority over society and seeks
to control all aspects of public and private life.
Characteristics:
•Centralized Control: Power is concentrated in a single party or leader.
•Ideological Control: Propaganda is used to maintain control and promote the state
ideology.
•Repression: Political dissent is often met with harsh punishment, including imprisonment
and execution.
•Surveillance: Extensive surveillance of citizens to maintain control and prevent opposition.
Examples:
•Historical Examples: Nazi Germany, Soviet Union under Stalin.
•Modern Examples: North Korea.
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
•Legislature: The law-making body of government (e.g., Congress, Parliament).
•Executive: The branch responsible for implementing laws and running the
government (e.g., President, Prime Minister).
•Judiciary: The system of courts that interprets and applies the law.
•Bureaucracy: The administrative system governing any large institution, typically
composed of non-elected officials.
POLITICAL PARTIES &
ELECTIONS
•Political Parties: Organizations that seek to attain and maintain political
power by participating in electoral campaigns.
•Functions of Political Parties: Representing different political ideologies,
organizing elections, and forming governments.
•Elections: The process through which citizens choose their representatives.
•Types of Electoral Systems:
• First-Past-The-Post: The candidate with the most votes wins.
• Proportional Representation: Seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes each party
receives.
