WAEC SSCE - Government - 2006

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The concept of decentralization refers to the transfer of power and decision-making authority from a central authority to lower levels of government or organization. It includes delegation, devolution, and deconcentration. Delegation refers to the process of assigning responsibility and authority to someone else, while the delegating authority retains overall control. Devolution is the transfer of power and resources from a central government to lower levels, such as regional or local governments. Deconcentration involves the delegation of administrative functions and decision-making powers to lower levels within a centralized structure, such as different departments or offices within a single organization. Therefore, the concept of decentralization includes all of the above elements, and there is no element excluded from it.

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Public opinion refers to the collective viewpoint or perspective held by a particular group of people, usually citizens of a country or members of a community. It reflects the general attitudes, beliefs, and values of the people regarding a particular issue, event, or policy. Therefore, public opinion is usually determined by the majority of the population rather than a minority. While civil servants and politicians may be influential in shaping public opinion, they are not the sole holders of it.

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The constitutional created account into which all public revenue is paid is called the Consolidated Fund. The Consolidated Fund is a type of government account that is established by a country's constitution or legislation. It serves as the main account for all government revenue and is used to meet the expenses of the government, such as public debt payments, salaries of civil servants, and capital expenditures. All revenue collected by the government, including taxes, fees, and other forms of income, are paid into the Consolidated Fund. Withdrawals from the fund can only be made through a specific authorization, such as a budget appropriation or legislative approval. This ensures that government expenditures are properly accounted for and that the funds are used for their intended purpose. Overall, the Consolidated Fund is an important tool for promoting transparency and accountability in government finances.

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Giving alms to the poor is not a duty of a citizen. A duty is a responsibility that someone is required to fulfill, and it is usually backed by law or moral obligation. Obedience to the laws is a duty because laws are put in place to ensure order and protect the rights of citizens. Payment of taxes is also a duty because taxes are used to provide public goods and services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Service to the nation can be considered a duty because it involves doing something for the benefit of the country, such as joining the military or volunteering for community service. On the other hand, giving alms to the poor is an act of charity or kindness, but it is not a legal or moral obligation for citizens. While it is good to help those in need, citizens are not required by law or duty to give alms to the poor.

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The Judiciary is one of the three branches of government, alongside the Executive and Legislative branches. Its primary role is to interpret the law and ensure that justice is served. This means that the Judiciary is responsible for making legal decisions in cases that come before the court, based on the laws passed by the Legislative branch. The Judiciary does not initiate bills or make laws, which is the responsibility of the Legislative branch. Its main duty is to interpret and apply the law to specific cases. In doing so, the Judiciary plays a critical role in maintaining law and order, by ensuring that individuals and organizations are held accountable for their actions and that disputes are resolved fairly and impartially.

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The number of chambers in a bicameral legislature is two. Bicameral means having two separate chambers or houses. In a bicameral legislature, there are two houses, usually with different names, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each house has its own set of responsibilities and powers, and both houses must agree on legislation before it can become law. This system is designed to provide a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no one group has too much power over the legislative process.

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The political system that allows equal access to the means of production, distribution, and exchange is called socialism. In a socialist system, the government or the community owns and controls the resources and industries, and everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from them. The aim of socialism is to create a society that is more equal and fair, with a focus on providing for the needs of all its citizens rather than just the privileged few.

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The National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA) was founded in 1919 by J.E. Casely Hayford. He was a lawyer, journalist and author from the Gold Coast (now Ghana) who fought for the rights of African people in British colonies. The NCBWA was formed to unite people across British West Africa in their struggle for self-government and to promote the interests of Africans. It was a pioneering organization that played a major role in shaping the independence movements of the 20th century in West Africa.

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Pressure groups are also known as interest groups. These groups are organizations that aim to influence public policies and decisions made by governments, corporations, or other institutions. They do so by exerting pressure on decision-makers through various means, such as lobbying, public demonstrations, and media campaigns. Pressure groups typically represent a specific interest or issue, such as environmental protection, human rights, or business interests. By coming together, they can amplify their voices and try to influence change.

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The country that popularized the use of Indirect Rule by the British was Nigeria. Indirect Rule was a system of colonial administration used by the British during their colonial era in Africa. This system involved ruling through indigenous rulers or chiefs who were appointed by the British colonial authorities to govern their people on their behalf. In Nigeria, the British found it difficult to impose direct rule due to the large number of ethnic groups and cultures in the country. They, therefore, adopted the Indirect Rule system as a way of governing the country. This system allowed the British to rule through the already established traditional rulers in the various regions of Nigeria. The British appointed these traditional rulers as their agents and gave them certain powers to govern their people. This allowed the British to maintain control over Nigeria while at the same time giving the people a sense of autonomy and allowing them to maintain their own traditional systems of governance. Although Indirect Rule was used in other African countries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, it was in Nigeria that it was most widely implemented and had the greatest impact.

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Police perform all of the following functions except public execution of law breakers. The police are responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining order in society. They protect the lives and property of citizens, and ensure that people can go about their daily lives safely. This includes controlling and directing traffic to prevent accidents and keep traffic moving smoothly. However, it is not the role of the police to carry out public executions of law breakers. The judicial system is responsible for determining guilt or innocence, and the punishment for any crime committed. The police are there to uphold the law, but they do not have the authority to carry out executions or punishments themselves.

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The elective principle was introduced in the British colonies after a series of agitations by the educated elite. This means that a group of educated people advocated for the idea of allowing people to vote and elect their leaders, instead of having leaders appointed by the colonial authorities. As a result of their advocacy, the colonial authorities eventually introduced the elective principle, which allowed people to vote for their leaders in the colonies.

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The modern concept of the rule of law was introduced by A.V. Dicey. This concept is based on the idea that everyone is subject to the law, including government officials and institutions. Dicey believed that the rule of law was an essential part of a free and democratic society, as it ensures that individuals are not subject to arbitrary or unjust treatment by those in power. Dicey's concept of the rule of law includes three main principles: 1. The supremacy of the law, meaning that the law is the highest authority in the land and no one is above it. 2. Equality before the law, meaning that everyone is subject to the same laws and is entitled to the same legal protections and rights. 3. The constitution is the result of the ordinary law of the land, meaning that the constitution is not a separate document, but is derived from the ordinary law and customs of the country. Overall, Dicey's concept of the rule of law has had a significant impact on the development of modern legal systems around the world.

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The Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is appointed for a period of five years. This means that the person who is chosen to be the Secretary-General serves in this role for a duration of five years before a new Secretary-General is appointed.

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The United Nations Organization (UNO) was founded in 1945 as a successor to the League of Nations. The League of Nations was an international organization created after World War I to prevent future wars by promoting international cooperation and resolving conflicts peacefully. However, it was unable to prevent the outbreak of World War II. After the war, a new organization was needed to promote peace and cooperation among nations, and the United Nations was created for this purpose. The UNO is made up of member countries from around the world who work together on issues such as peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development.

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Indirect rule was successfully implemented in some parts of West Africa because it allowed the British to use the existing traditional political structure to govern, instead of imposing their own system. This meant that local rulers and chiefs were given some power to govern their own people, under the overall authority of the British. Additionally, British officials learnt the local languages, which helped them communicate with and understand the local people better. The residents were also good administrators, which made it easier for the British to work with them to govern the region. Overall, indirect rule was successful because it allowed for a more flexible and efficient system of governance that respected local customs and traditions.

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An essential feature of a State is an organized system of laws. This means that a State must have a set of rules and regulations that are recognized and enforced by the government, and apply to all individuals and groups within the State's territory. A system of laws is essential for maintaining order, resolving conflicts, protecting individual rights, and ensuring that the government functions fairly and justly. While mineral resources, developed infrastructure, and developed markets can all be important for a State's prosperity and well-being, they are not essential features of a State in the way that an organized system of laws is.

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The system of government in which authority is shared between the central or federal government and the component units, such as states or provinces, is called a federal system of government. In a federal system, the central government has certain powers, while the component units also have powers of their own that are protected by the constitution. This means that each state or province can have some degree of autonomy and self-governance within its own boundaries, while still being part of a larger nation or union. This system of sharing power and responsibility can help to ensure that local issues are addressed by local leaders who have a better understanding of the specific needs and challenges of their communities.

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The principle that negates the concept of the Rule of Law is the "Exercise of absolute power by the President." The Rule of Law is a fundamental principle that means no one is above the law, and everyone is equal before the law. It ensures that the law is supreme and that all individuals and government officials are subject to the same laws. However, if the President exercises absolute power, it means that they are not bound by the law, and they can act arbitrarily without being held accountable. This negates the principle of the Rule of Law as it allows for the exercise of unchecked power, which can lead to abuses of power and violations of fundamental rights.

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The Notational Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA) failed to achieve its aims initially because the chiefs and governors opposed those aims. The NCBWA was formed in 1920 by a group of West African intellectuals who wanted to push for political reforms and greater representation for Africans in the British colonial government. However, the colonial authorities saw the NCBWA as a threat to their power and influence and worked to undermine its efforts. In addition, many traditional chiefs and rulers were opposed to the NCBWA's goals, as they feared that greater political representation for Africans would diminish their own power and influence. Some chiefs even encouraged their subjects to boycott the congress and not participate in its activities. Overall, the opposition from colonial authorities and traditional rulers made it difficult for the NCBWA to achieve its goals in the early years. However, the congress continued to push for reforms and greater representation over time, and its efforts played a role in the eventual independence of many West African nations in the mid-20th century.

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A coup d'état is an unconstitutional way of changing the government. It occurs when a group, often military or political, overthrows the existing government by force, without following the legal and constitutional process for changing the government. Coup d'états are typically seen as a violation of democratic principles and the rule of law, and can result in human rights abuses, instability, and violence. Therefore, they are generally condemned by the international community.

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The official language of the Commonwealth is English. The Commonwealth is an association of countries that were once part of the British Empire, and English was the language of the British colonizers who ruled these countries. Today, many of the countries in the Commonwealth continue to use English as their official language, even though some may also have other official languages, such as French, Spanish, or Dutch. However, it's important to note that not all Commonwealth countries have English as their official language, and some may have more than one official language.

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The two components of sovereignty are legal independence and political authority. Legal independence means that a state has the power to make its own laws without interference from other countries. This means that it has the right to govern itself and make decisions without outside influence. Political authority refers to the ability of a state to exercise power and control over its own territory and people. This includes the power to make and enforce laws, maintain order, and defend its borders. Together, legal independence and political authority are the foundation of a state's sovereignty. They enable a state to govern itself and to be recognized as an independent entity by other states in the international community.

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Official opposition is a feature of the parliamentary system. In a parliamentary system, the political party with the most elected members becomes the ruling party, while the second-largest party becomes the official opposition. The role of the official opposition is to hold the ruling party accountable by scrutinizing its actions and policies and providing an alternative viewpoint to the government's actions. This helps to ensure that the ruling party is acting in the best interest of the people and not abusing their power. In contrast, totalitarianism, Nazism, and Fascism are all forms of government that do not typically allow for opposition parties or alternative viewpoints, as they aim to maintain complete control and suppress dissent.

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The military intervenes in West African politics mainly because of election malpractices. Sometimes, politicians rig elections or use other unfair means to win elections. When this happens, it can lead to political instability, violence, and even civil war. The military may feel that they need to intervene to restore order and prevent the country from descending into chaos. However, military intervention in politics can also be harmful and undemocratic, as it can lead to the suppression of civil liberties and the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals.

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A manifesto refers to a proposed program or a set of goals and objectives put forward by a political party, candidate, or organization. It outlines their policies, values, and plans for governing or effecting change. A manifesto is usually published before an election or major event, to help voters understand what a party or candidate stands for and what they hope to achieve if elected or supported. The manifesto can also serve as a basis for holding a party or candidate accountable to their promises if they are elected or gain influence.

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The concept of decentralization involves transferring power or authority from a central authority to local or regional levels of government or organizations. It typically includes elements such as delegation, devolution, and deconcentration. Delegation involves assigning tasks and responsibilities to lower levels of management, while delimitation involves defining the boundaries of the authority and responsibility that has been delegated. Devolution involves transferring power and responsibility from a higher level of government to a lower level, such as from a national government to a state or local government. This allows for more localized decision-making and can increase efficiency and responsiveness to local needs. Deconcentration involves redistributing administrative responsibilities and functions to different levels of an organization or government, without necessarily changing the overall decision-making authority. This can help to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services. Therefore, all the options mentioned in the question are elements of decentralization, and there are no exceptions.

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The modern ideal of democracy includes unlimited freedom, civil liberty, periodic elections, and equality before the law. However, it is important to note that the concept of "unlimited freedom" is not an accurate representation of democracy. Democracy involves a balance between individual rights and the collective good of society. This means that there are limits to individual freedom in order to protect the well-being of others and prevent harm to society as a whole. In summary, the modern ideal of democracy includes civil liberties, periodic elections, and equality before the law, but it does not promote unlimited freedom without regard for the well-being of others.

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Public corporations are financed by taxpayers. This means that the money used to fund these corporations comes from the public, through taxes paid to the government. Public corporations are owned by the government and exist to provide services to the public. The government uses the money collected from taxes to finance the operations of these corporations, such as building infrastructure, providing healthcare or education, and managing public resources.

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Anonymity of civil servants means that they do not take praise or blame for their performance. It means that the identity of civil servants who work for the government or public sector is kept confidential. This is done to ensure that they can carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or victimization. The anonymity of civil servants allows them to make impartial decisions and provide honest advice to their superiors without any fear of retribution. Civil servants should be seen and heard when carrying out their official duties, but their personal opinions and political affiliations should not influence their work. They should not engage in partisan politics, but rather work hard to serve the public interest and implement government policies to the best of their abilities. Ultimately, the anonymity of civil servants helps to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in the public sector.

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The verdicts of judges that are binding on lower courts are called "precedents". This means that when a higher court, such as a supreme court, makes a decision on a legal issue, that decision sets a precedent that must be followed by lower courts in similar cases. Precedents are important because they help ensure consistency and predictability in the legal system.

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A constitution is said to be flexible when its provisions are easy to amend. This means that the rules and regulations that govern a country can be changed or modified with relative ease. This can be helpful in situations where the government needs to adapt to new circumstances or address issues that were not foreseen when the constitution was originally written. In contrast, a constitution that is difficult to amend is considered to be rigid, which can make it harder to address important issues in a timely manner.

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The advantage of local governments in West Africa is that they can serve as training grounds for political leaders. This means that individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in politics can gain valuable experience by starting at the local level. By working in local government, they can learn about the challenges facing their communities and develop the skills needed to address these challenges effectively. This experience can help them to become more effective leaders at higher levels of government in the future. Additionally, by serving in local government, these individuals can build relationships with other political leaders and community members that can help them to advance their political careers over time.

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The power to pardon any citizen charged with any criminal offence lies with the Executive branch of government. The Executive branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws of the country. The President or the Governor, depending on the level of government, has the power to grant a pardon or reprieve to a person who has been convicted of a crime. This power is usually used in cases where the person has been wrongly convicted or has served a significant amount of time in prison. It is also used as a way to show mercy or compassion to an individual who has committed a crime. The legislature makes laws, the judiciary interprets laws and humang rights organizations promote and protect human rights.

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In the legislature, a filibuster is someone who prevents the passage of a bill by making long speeches. This means that they talk for a really long time to delay or block the passing of a bill. Filibusters are often used as a strategy by politicians who oppose a particular bill or want to draw attention to a particular issue. They can talk for hours or even days in order to prevent the bill from being voted on.

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In a cabinet system of government, the ministers are collectively responsible to the parliament. This means that they are accountable to the elected representatives of the people for their actions and decisions. If the parliament is not satisfied with the performance of the government, it can pass a vote of no confidence, which may lead to the resignation of the entire cabinet. This system ensures that the government is accountable to the people and that the parliament has the power to hold it to account.

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