SS1 Government Lesson Notes
1st term
1. Government as an institution of state2. Government as a process or act of governing3. Government as an academic field of study.4. Power5. Authority6. Legitimacy7. Sovereignty8. Meaning of democracy9. Political culture 10. Political socialization 11. Political participation 12. Communalism13. Feudalism 14. Capitalism15. Socialism 16. Communism17. Fascism 18. Totalitarianism 19. Meaning of Unitary system of government20. Features of the unitary system of government 21. Advantages and disadvantages of the unitary system of government 22. Parliamentary System of Government23. Presidential System of Government24. Confederal System of Government/ meaning25. Monarchy 26. Comparison of federalism and Confederalism.27. Legislature28. Functions of legislature29. Executive30. Types of executive in government 31. Functions of executive branch of government 32. Judiciary33. Functions of the Judiciary34. Independence of the Judiciary
2nd term
1. Definition/meaning of constitution2. Sources of constitution3. Functions of constitution4. Features of constitution5. Written and unwritten constitution6. Written and unwritten constitution7. Rigid and flexible constitution8. Unitary and federal constitution9. Meaning /functions of constitutionalism10. Importance of constitutionalism11. Importance of constitutionalism12. The relationship between constitution and constitutionalism.13. Rule of law 14. Basic Principles15. Problems or limitation of rule of law.16. Fundamental Human Rights 17. Origin and Importance of Human Rights18. Various ways/means of safeguarding human rights19. Meaning of separation of power20. Principles of checks and balances21. Relationship between separation of powers.22. Meaning/Definition of representative government.23. Features of a representative government24. Advantages and disadvantages of Representative Government25. Meaning/Definition of centralization and decentralization26. Differences between centralized and decentralized system27. Meaning/Definition of delegated legislature28. Forms of delegated legislature29. Control of delegated legislatures30. Advantages and Disadvantages of delegated legislature
3rd term
1. Meaning and definition of citizenship2. Methods of acquisition of citizenship3. Rights, duties and obligations of a citizen4. Differences between a citizen and a non-citizen.5. Meaning/ Definition of Political Party6. Organisation of Political Party7. Types of Political party 8. Functions of Political Party9. Meaning and definition of Party system10. Types of Party system11. Characteristics of party system.12. Advantages and disadvantages of One-party system13. Advantages and disadvantages of Two-party system14. Advantages and disadvantages of multi-party system15. Meaning and definition of pressure group16. Types of pressure group17. Characteristics of pressure groups18. Functions of pressure group19. Problems of pressure group20. Difference between pressure group and political parties.21. Meaning and definition of public opinion22. Formation of public opinion23. Meaning and definition of election24. Purpose of election25. Organisation of election 26. Meaning of suffrage/franchise27. Development of suffrage/franchise28. Types of suffrage/franchise29. Purpose of suffrage/franchise. 30. Simple majority31. Absolute majority32. Proportional representation33. Direct and indirect system34. Meaning of Electoral Commission35. Roles/functions and duties of the commission36. Problems facing Electoral Commission