Pad 204

COURSE
GUIDE
PAD 204
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
Course Team Dr. Derin K. Ologbenla (Developer/Writer) –

UNILAG
Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Yesufu (Leader) – NOUN
Abdul-Rahoof A. Bello (Coordinator) – NOUN
NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

PAD 204 COURSE GUIDE
© 2017 by NOUN Press

National Open University of Nigeria
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e-mail: centralinfo@nou.edu.ng
URL: www.nou.edu.ng
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, in any

form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Printed 2008, 2017, 2019
ISBN: 978-058-434-X
ii
CONTENTS PAGE
Introduction............................................................. iv
Course Aims........................................................... iv
Course Objectives................................................... iv
Working through This Course.................................. v
Course Materials..................................................... v
Study Units............................................................. v
Textbooks and References....................................... vi
Assessment…………………………………….......... vi
Tutor-Marked Assignment…………………….......... vii
Final Examination and Grading................................ vii
Course Marking Scheme......................................... vii
Course Overview……………………………………. vii
Course Overview/Presentation Schedule................... viii
How to Get the Most from this Course...................... viii
Facilitators/Tutors and Tutorials................................ x
Summary.................................................................. xi
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to PAD 204: Introduction to Political Science
This Course Guide provides you with the various topics on the
introductory course in Political Science.
Political Science is the modern discipline for the study of politics and
political processes and the organisation of the state. Traditionally,
Political Science has often been studied by means of volume and very
large textbooks; this guide provides the student with concise
understanding of the basic principles and focuses on views that are
germane in the study of Political Science.
To study this course, and the various units, you need to be ready to think
critically and analytically. You need to develop a constructive minds to
be able to weigh different arguments carefully, trying to determine
which arguments you find most plausible, convincing and why. This is
to enable you decipher properly which positions you would like to take
without being a “copy-cat” student. If it is by understanding different
positions that one can develop one’s ability, do the same.
In this introductory section, aims and objectives will be explained. The

module provides some useful advice on the reading system, the role in
using the course guide, the structure of the module, and guidance and
preparing for the assessment. It is important that one understands all
these at the beginning, to ensure that one is able to get the most out of
the course and do the best one can.
COURSE AIMS
a) To be able to demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of

political processes in modern states.
b) To outline and critically analyse viewpoints in political science.
c) To apply the main theories, and concepts used in the study of
politics to the analysis of key institutions of the modern state.
d) To critically evaluate different concepts, principles, theories,
ideologies, etc.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
(i) To introduce you to what politics and political science are all
about.
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(ii) To put you through the various methods political scientist uses to
make decisions and to make projections covering political events
or phenomenon.
(iii) To highlight the major areas within Political Science as a field of
study and show how these relates to other subjects in the Social
Sciences.
(iv) To show you that all activities of government affect our lives and
that politics is very important in every society.
WORKING THROUGH THIS COURSE

To complete this course, you are advised to check the study units, read
the recommended books as well as other course materials provided by
NOUN. Each unit contains Self Assessment Exercises (SAE) and Tutor-
Marked Assignments (TMAS) for assessment purposes. There will be a
written examination at the end of the course. The course should take you
about 14 weeks to complete. You will find all the components of the
course listed below. You need to allocate time to each unit so as to
finish the course successfully and on time.
COURSE MATERIALS
For this course, you will require the following materials:
1) The course guide;

2) Study units which are fifteen (15) in all;
3) Textbooks recommended at the end of the units; and
4) Assignment file where all the unit assignments are kept.
5) Presentation Schedule
STUDY UNITS
There are fifteen study units in this course broken into 3 modules of 5
units each. They are as follows:
Module 1
Unit 1 The Nature and Scope of Political Science

Unit 2 The Subject Matter of Political Science
Unit 3 Approaches to the Study of Political Science: The
Legalistic Approach
Unit 4 The Behavioural Approach to the Study of Politics
Unit 5 The Nature, Purpose and Functions of the Modern State
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Module 2
Unit 1 The Concept of Sovereignty

Unit 2 Power and Authority
Unit 3 Legitimacy and Influence
Unit 4 Political Ideas and Movements
Unit 5 Constitution
Module 3
Unit 1 Constitutionalism
Unit 2 Politics and Social Change: Reforms, Revolutions and
Military Coups
Unit 3 The Nature of African Armies
Unit 4 Public Administration
Unit 5 International Relations and Organisations
Each unit contains some exercises on the topic covered, and you will be
required to attempt the exercises. These will enable you evaluate your
progress as well as reinforce what you have learned so far. The
exercises, together with the tutor marked assignments will help you in
achieving the stated learning objectives of the individual units, and the
course.
TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES
You may wish to consult the references and other books suggested at the
end of each unit, to enhance your understanding of the material. This
will enhance your understanding of the material.
Anifowoshe, R. and Francis Enemuo, (ed.) (1999). Elements of Politics.

Lagos: Malthouse Press Ltd.
Ologbenla, D. K. (1996). Introduction to Political Science. Lagos:

Olucity Press Ltd.
Nnoli, O. (1986). Introduction to Politics. Lagos: Longman Nigeria Ltd.
ASSESSMENT
Your assessment for this course is in two parts. First, are the
tutor-marked assignments, and second is a written examination. You
will be required to apply the information and knowledge gained from
this course in completing your assignments. You must submit your
assignments to your tutor in line with submission deadlines as stated in
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the assignment file. The work that you submit for your tutor-marked
assignment for assessment will count for 30% of your total score.
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
In this course, you will be required to study fifteen (15) units, and
complete Tutor-Marked Assignment, provided at the end of each unit.
The assignments carry 10% marks each. The best four of your
assignments will constitute 30% of your final mark. At the end of the
course, you will be required to write a final examination, which counts
for 70% of your final mark.
The assignments for each unit in this course are contained in your
assignment file. You may wish to consult other related materials apart
from your course material to complete your assignments. When you
complete each assignment, send it together with a Tutor Marked
Assignment (TMA) form to your tutor. Ensure that each assignment
reaches your tutor on or before the deadline stipulated in the assignment
file. If, for any reason you are unable to complete your assignment in
time, contact your tutor before the due date to discuss the possibility of
an extension. Note that extensions will not be granted after the due date
for submission unless under exceptional circumstances.
FINAL EXAMINATION AND GRADING
The final examination for this course will be for duration of two hours,
and count for 70% of your total mark. The examination will consist of
questions, which reflect the information in your course material,
exercises, and tutor marked assignments. All aspects of the course will
be examined. Use the time between the completion of the last unit, and
examination date to revise the entire course. You may also find it useful
to review your tutor-marked assignments before the examination.
COURSE MARKING SCHEME

ASSESSMENT MARKS
Four assignments, best three marks of the
Assignments
four count at 30% of course marks
Final Examination 70% of total course mark
Total 100% of course marks
COURSE OVERVIEW
Your assignment file consists of all the details of the assignments you
are required to submit to your tutor for marking. The marks obtained for
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these assignments will count towards the final mark you obtain for this
course. More information on the assignments can be found in the
assignment file.
COURSE OVERVIEW AND PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
Weeks Assessment
Units Title of Work
Activity (End of Unit)
Module 1
The Nature and Scope of Political Week 1
1
Science
The Subject Matter of Political Week 2
2
Science
Approaches to the Study of Political Week 3 Assignment 1
3
Science: The Legalistic Approach
The Behavioural Approach to the Week 4
4
Study of Politics
The Nature, Purpose and Functions Week 5
5
of the Modern State
Module 2
1 The Concept of Sovereignty Week 6 Assignment 2
2 Power and Authority Week 7
3 Legitimacy and Influence Week 8
4 Political Ideas and Movements Week 9
5 Constitution Week 10
Module 3
1 Constitutionalism Week 11 Assignment 3
Politics and Social Change: Reforms, Week 12
2
Revolutions and Military Coups
3 The Nature of African Armies Week 13
4 Public Administration Week 14
International Relations and Week 15 Assignment 4
5
Organisations
Revision Week 16
Examinations Week 17
Total 17 weeks
HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM THIS COURSE
In distance learning, your course material replaces the lecturer. The

course material has been designed in such a way that you can study on
your own with little or no assistance at all. This allows you to work, and
study at your pace, and at a time and place that best suits you. Think of
reading your course material in the same way as listening to the lecturer.
However, you are advised to study with your course mates. In the same
viii
way a lecturer might give you some reading to do, the study units give
you information on what to read, and these form your text materials.You
are provided exercises to do at appropriate points, just as a lecturer
might give you an in-class exercise.
Each of the study units follow a common format. The first item is an
introduction to the subject matter of the unit, and how a particular unit
is integrated with the other units and the course as a whole. Next to this,
is a set of learning objectives. These objectives let you know what you
are required to know by the time you have completed the unit. These
learning objectives are meant to guide your study. The moment a unit is
finished, you must go back and check whether you have achieved the
objectives. If you make this a habit, it will improve your chances of
passing the course significantly.
The main body of the unit guides you through the required reading from
other sources. This will usually be either from the reference books or
from a Reading section.
The following is a practical strategy for working through the course. If

you run into any difficulties, telephone your tutor. Remember that your
tutor’s job is to help you. When you need assistance, do not hesitate to
call and ask your tutor for help or visit the study centre.
Read this Course Guide thoroughly, it is your first assignment.
1. Organise a Study Schedule. Design a ‘Course Overview’ to guide

you through the course. Note the time you are expected to spend
on each unit and how the assignments relate to the units. You
need to gather all the information into one place, such as your
diary or a wall calendar. Whatever method you choose to use,
you should decide and write in your own dates and schedule of
work for each unit.
2. Once you have created your own study schedule, do everything to
be faithful to it. The major reason students fail is that they get
behind with their course work. If you get into difficulties with
your schedule, please, let your tutor know before it is too late for
help.
3. Turn to Unit 1, and read the introduction and the objectives for
the unit.
4. Assemble the study materials. You will need the reference books
in the unit you are studying at any point in time.
5. Work through the unit. As you work through the unit, you will
know what sources to consult for further information.
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6. Before the relevant due dates (about 4 weeks before due dates),
access the Assignment File. Keep in mind that you will learn a
lot by doing the assignment carefully. They have been designed
to help you meet the objectives of the course and, therefore, will
help you pass the examination. Submit all assignments not later
than the due date.
7. Review the objectives for each study unit to confirm that you
have achieved them. If you feel unsure about any of the
objectives, review the study materials or consult your tutor.
8. When you are confident that you have achieved a unit’s
objectives, you can start on the next unit. Proceed unit by unit
through the course and try to pace your study so that you keep
yourself on schedule.
9. When you have submitted an assignment to your tutor for
marking, do not wait for its return before starting on the next unit.
Keep to your schedule. When the Assignment is returned, pay
particular attention to your tutor’s comments, both on the tutor-
marked assignment form and also the written comments on the
ordinary assignments.
10. After completing the last unit, review the course and prepare
yourself for the final examination. Check that you have achieved
the unit objectives (listed at the beginning of each unit) and the
course objectives (listed in the Course Guide).
FACILITATORS/TUTORS AND TUTORIALS
There are 15 hours of tutorials provided to support this course. Tutorials

are for problem solving, and they are optional. You need to get in touch
with your tutor to arrange date and time for tutorials if needed. Your
tutor will mark and comment on your assignments, keep a close watch
on your progress and on any difficulties you might encounter and
provide assistance to you during the course. You must submit your
tutor-marked assignments to your tutor well before the due date (at least
two working days are required). They will be marked by your tutor and
returned to you as soon as possible.
Do not hesitate to contact your tutor by telephone, e-mail, or discussion

board. The following might be circumstances in which you will find
help necessary. Contact your tutor if:
• You do not understand any part of the study units or the assigned
readings.
• You have difficulties with the exercises.
• You have a question or problem with an assignment, with your
tutor’s comments on an assignment or with the grading of an
assignment.
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To gain the maximum benefits from course tutorials, prepare a question

list before attending them. You will learn quite a lot from participating
in the discussions.
SUMMARY
The course guide has introduced you to what to expect in Introduction to

Political Science. It examines the nature and scope of political science,
approaches to the study of political science, concept of a modern state,
sovereignty, power and authority, legitimacy and influence. The course
also discusses the constitution and constitutionalism, the role of politics
in social change, nature of African armies, public administration, and
international relations. Upon completion you should be equipped with
the foundation for analysing and researching political issues.
We wish you success with the course and hope you will find it both
engaging and practical.
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MAIN
COURSE
CONTENTS PAGE
Module 1 ………………………………………………… 1
Unit 1 The Nature and Scope of Political Science…… 1

Unit 2 The Subject Matter of Political Science………. 9
Unit 3 The Legalistic Approach to the Study of Politics 18
Unit 4 The Behavioural Approach to the Study of
Politics ………………………………………… 24
Unit 5 The Nature, Purpose and Functions of the Modern
State …………………………………………… 31
Module 2 …………………………………………………..… 42
Unit 1 The Concept of Sovereignty............................ 42

Unit 2 Power and Authority....................................... 53
Unit 3 Legitimacy and Influence ................................ 68
Unit 4 Political Ideas and Movements......................... 74
Unit 5 Constitution........................................................ 96
Module 3 ………………………………………..………… 102
Unit 1 Constitutionalism.................................................. 102

Unit 2 Politics and Social Change: Reforms,
Revolutions and Military
Coups.................................................................... 109
Unit 3 The Nature of African Armies.............................. 117
Unit 4 Public Administration........................................... 126
Unit 5 International Relations and Organizations........... 143
PAD 204 MODULE 1
MODULE 1
Unit 1 The Nature and Scope of Political Science

Unit 2 The Subject Matter of Political Science
Unit 3 The Legalistic Approach to the Study of Politics
Unit 4 The Behavioural Approach to the Study of Politics
Unit 5 The Nature, Purpose and Functions of the Modern State
UNIT 1 THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF POLITICAL

SCIENCE
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Definitions/Explanations of Politics
3.2 The Development of Political Science as a Field of Study
3.3 What is Science? What makes Political Science a Science?
3.4 The Meaning of Verifiability
3.5 The Meaning of Systematic
3.6 The Meaning of Generality or Universality
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment
7.0 References/Further Reading
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In this unit, you will be introduced to what Politics is all about. In your
day to day activities, you must have heard of the word Politics without
actually understanding its meaning. What do you think is Politics? This
question has been asked many times in every age before the birth of
Jesus Christ – when the Greeks first introduced the idea of the ‘polis’
meaning city-state. It is from ‘polis’ that we derive our modern word
politics. Aristotle (384-322 BC) in his book POLITICS first used the
term politics to refer to the affairs of a Greek city-state. Aristotle
observed that ‘man by nature is a political animal’. By this he meant that
the essence of social existence is politics and that two or more men
interacting with one another are invariably involved in a political
relationship.
Aristotle observed that whenever men seek to define their position in

society or as they attempt to achieve personal security from available
resources and as they try to influence others to accept their points of
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PAD 204 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE
view, they find themselves engaged in politics. In this broad sense,

every one is a politician.
Today, the word politics is an elastic one. To some authorities, politics

is concerned with the ordinary day-to-day activities of the community in
which we are all personally involved. To others, including Harold
Lasswell, politics has been equated with the study of power or the study
of influence and the influential. In fact, Lasswel went as far as to define
politics as “who gets what, when how” which underlines the importance
of power as the major ingredient of politics.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• explain what politics is all about

• explain the development of political science as a subject of study
and why political science is regarded as a science.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Definitions/Explanations of Politics
Generally speaking, it is difficult to define politics because there are

many definitions by various scholars that conflict or sometimes
complement one another. Ernest Baker (1962:1) stated that politics is
the process of making and execution of governmental decisions or
policies. Harold Lesswell and Abraham Kaplan (1950) defined politics
as authoritative, allocation of values or who gets what, when and how.
Austine Ranany (1975: 35-38) maintained that politics is a process of
resolution of conflict in society.
For Max Weber, (1947:145-154) politics is the operation of the state and
its institutions. Politics for him, means the sharing power to influence
the distribution of power among individuals and groups within a state.
Lasswell suggests that politics is essentially the struggle for positions of

power and influence by which those who succeed in monopolizing such
positions in society are able to make decisions that affect the lives of
every citizen within the country. More will be said about power later
when we examine it as a topic on its own.
For our purpose, politics can simply be defined in three ways: First, it
attempts to discover the general principles, formation and functioning of
government. Secondly, it is concerned with people and the way in which
they make decisions and the way those decisions are reached. Thirdly
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
politics is that part of the social sciences which treats the foundations of
the state and the principle of government, governmental, social and
economic programmes, international relations, organizations and
cooperation.
Politics goes beyond the activity of government, the political parties and
the politicians. Politics is a universal phenomenon- that is, it is present
in all human organization such as the family, trade unions, corporations,
universities, etc. In all these organizations, politics is characterized by
struggle for power and influence, conflict, bargaining, reconciliation,
resolution and consensus.
Politics can be played at a national level or internationally. At the
national level, the failure of the Nigerian political elite between 1962-66
gave the military the opportunity to intervene in our political process.
History repeated itself in 1983 when the political elite again failed to
settle their differences following the 1983 October general elections.
Again, the military employing their monopoly over the use of force and
the acquiescence of the Nigerian people swept the political elite off the
political stage and ruled until 1999.
Similarly, it was politics at the international level when the Palestinian

and the Israelites partly resolved their age-long military/ideological
confrontation over Palestinian home land in Gaza. Also it was a
political action/decision when ECOMOG troops were sent by West
African States to war-torn Liberia for peace-keeping operations. This
helped to stop the fighting from getting worse. Peace has now returned
to Liberia after 15 years of fighting.
3.2 The Development of Political Science as a Field of Study
The Greeks as we have seen established a broad definition of politics.

However, between the sixteenth and early twentieth centuries, European
political philosophers established a narrower definition of politics.
For example, Jean Bodin (1430-1596), a French political philosopher,

who first used the term “political science” (science politique) was a
lawyer. Because of his legal training, Bodin focused on the
characteristics of the state more than any other aspect of the political
process. He concentrated on analyzing the relationship between the
organization of the state and how this relates to law.
Another French philosopher Montesquieu (1689-1755) argued that the

functions of government could be encompassed within the categories of
legislation, execution, and the adjudication of law. Montesquieu
categories found their way into the United States Constitution and other
3
Republican Constitutions with the assumption that liberty was best

assured by separation of powers between the Legislature, the Executive
and the Judiciary.
It was the work of these two philosophers that imposed a restricted

definition of politics on political scientists. Political scientist for years
concentrated almost exclusively on the Executive, the Legislature and
the Judiciary as major concern until recently.
In the mid-nineteenth century, Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural

selection began to exert a powerful influence upon political science. In
fact, Biology came to reinforce history in the study of political
institutions, which were seen as the product of historical change and,
apparently organic evolution. The development of sociology after the
19th century prompted political scientists to give more attention to the
impact on government of social forces not defined with reference to the
institutional outline of the state. The industrialization of previously
agricultural societies and sharpening clash between the emergent
working classes and their employers (industrialists) compelled a closer
study of economic facts, forces and trends, as these produced political
problems and helped to shape political behaviour.
The advent of World War II brought about a re-think by political

scientist that Legislature, Executives, agencies, and the Courts did not
exist by themselves and that they did not operate independently of one
another or of the other political organizations in society. Political
scientists in America and Europe embarked on new fields of study by
examining the political parties, interest groups, trade unions, as well as
corporations and church organizations. Ideologies have also
commanded the attention of political scientists because of their
(ideologies) role in the formation of Ultra-Right and Ultra-Left political
parties and movements. It is all the above institutions of the state plus
other political and social organization that constitute the political
system.
What this mean is that politics is not just about government and
politicians but a complex process involving everybody in a given
society, attitudes to issues, interest groups, group organization,
electioneering, as well as the formulation, implementation, and
interpretation of law.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
Define politics and describe the development of political science as a

field of study.
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
3.3 What is Science? What Makes Political Science a

Science?
Pure science is concerned with obtaining accurate knowledge about the

structure and behaviour of the physical universe. It deals with universal
and with rational analysis of known facts. It is fact seeking as well as
fact-using. The ultimate goal of a science is the classification of facts,
and on the basis of such classification, the formulation of a body of
general rules and logically consistent and universally valid statement
about the universe. Science has been described as an “adventure of the
human spirit”.
The scientific method entails vigorous procedures starting from

selection of problems to be solved or analysed, followed by formulation
of hypothesis, gathering of data and testing of hypothesis, and finally,
the use of findings to refute, modify or support existing theories. To
evaluate the findings of their own studies and of others, scientists
employ a number of knowledge, to be scientific it must be characterized
by verifiability; it must be systematic and must, have general
applicability.
3.4 The Meaning of Verifiability
A proposition is said to be verified when it has been checked or tested

by many specialists in the relevant field of study and when they all agree
that other scientists and the general public can believe it to be true.
However, there are no certainties in anything but probabilities. The
probability that some propositions will hold true, is so great that they
can be treated as certainties, but in the social sciences, this is not the
case.
If scientific knowledge is to be verifiable, science must be empirical,

that is, scientific statements must be descriptive of the empirical world.
Similarly, if scientific knowledge is to be verifiable, the desire for
reliability and, ultimately, for verifiability has been the chief factor
leading to the adoption of quantitative methods.
3.5 The Meaning of Systematic
Knowledge is said to be systematic when it is organized into an

intelligible pattern, or structure, with significant relationships made
clear. To achieve a system, scientists seek out similarities and
differences putting things together. While looking for similarities and
differences, scientists also look for relationship, whether correlations or
causal relations. Concern for system means that scientists want to
proceed from particular towards general facts, from knowledge of
5
isolated facts towards knowledge of connections between facts. Thus,

“the ideal of science is to achieve a systematic inter-connection of
facts”.
3.6 The Meaning of Generality or Universality
The knowledge provided by a telephone directory anywhere in the world

is verifiable, and it is presented in an orderly and systematic way.
However, it lacks generality or universality in the sense that a New York
Telephone Directory is useless in the City of Lagos. The object in
science is to develop generalizations so that explanation and prediction
can occur to the maximum possible extent.
Scientific knowledge on any subject, designed to facilitate explanation

and prediction can be thought of as a pyramid rising from a base of
specific bits of data up through more general facts to propositions, laws,
and theories. Turning to the second part of our questions: Is political
science really scientific? Political science may be defined as the study of
politics using some scientific tools.
Political science is not and cannot be an exact science in the sense of the
natural sciences like physics, chemistry, geology, etc. The reasons for
this are that the subject matter which political scientists investigate is
generally uncertain in forms – that is, people are generally
unpredictable. Thus, the conclusions reached after investigations are
dubious and the findings are not all of general or universal applicability.
Political science is not an exact science like the natural sciences because
the material with which it deals is incapable of being treated exactly the
same way as physics or chemistry. While physics and chemistry are
natural or physical science, and deal with matter; the social sciences
which include political science, sociology, economics, etc. deal with
man in society. Man in society is not only unpredictable but also
extremely cumbersome to observe accurately because he is
ever-changing and his environment is difficult to control.
Political science like other social sciences has a scientific character

because of the scientific method it employ in examining phenomena.
That is, it is a science to the extent that it accumulates facts that are
verifiable, links these facts together in causal sequences (systematically)
and from these, makes generalizations of fundamental principles and
formulate theories.
The laboratory method of the natural science may be difficult for

political scientists to adopt but they could observe historical facts and
the facts of contemporary world as the basis for political analysis,
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
classify, connect and compare. However, political scientists do not

agree on the appropriate categories for classifying the phenomena of
politics. This disagreement reflects the difficulty of observing and the
frequent impossibility of quantifying the variables that political
scientists identify.
Finally, because political scientists deal with large numbers of people in

an uncontrolled setting where each individual has many behavioural
options open to him, it is near impossible to make generalization on
observed facts. The most crucial fact is how one defines, much less
measure, political power and influence the very substance of the
political process. Our assessment of political power will be highlighted
when we examine power, authority and influence in another unit.
Is Political Science a science or an art subject?
4.0 CONCLUSION
The development of Political science as a discipline shows its attempt in

enhancing its scientific status. We are however informed that political
science is not and cannot be an exact science in the sense of the natural
sciences like physics, chemistry, geology, etc. The reasons for this are
uncertainty and unpredictability of the subject matter which political
scientists investigate.
5.0 SUMMARY
In this unit, you have been exposed to what politics is about; the
development of political science as a distinct field of study and its
scientific status. We tried here to show you that although there is no
universally acceptable definition of the word “politics”, however, there
are some working definitions that will guide you as new “entrants” in
the field.
6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
i. Discuss what you understand by the term politics.

ii. Describe the development of political science over the years.
iii. Why are the natural sciences more ‘scientific’ than political
science?
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7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Almond, G. A. & Powell, G. B. (1966). Comparative Politics: A

Development Approach. Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
Almond, G. A. (1956). “Comparative Political Systems”, Journal of

Politics, Vol. 18.
Aristotle, (1972). Politics, Edited with Introduction and Prefatory notes

by Justin I. Kamplan, Translated by W. D. Ross, Washington:
Square Press.
Bodin, Jean (1955). Six Books of the Commonwealth. Abridged and

translated by M. J. Todley, Oxford: Blackwell.
David, Easton (1961). A Framework for Political Analysis. New Haven:

Yale University Press.
Deutsch, Karl W. (1963). The Nerves of Government. New York: The

Free Press of Glence.
Easton, David (1965). A System Analysis of Political Life. New York:

John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Laski, Harold J. (ed.) (1963). A Defence of Liberty Against T. Prants

Gloucester. Mass: Peter Smith.
Lasswell, H. D. (1951). Politics: Who Gets What, When and How.

Glencoe, III: Free Press.
Lichtheim, George. (1965). Marxism: An Historical and Critical Study.

New York: Praeger.
Neumann Franz (1949). Introduction to Montesquieu’s Spirit of Laws.

Translated by Thomas H. Nugent, New York: Halfner Pub. Co.
Sabine, George H. (1950). A History of Political Theory. New York:

Henry Holt.
8
PAD 204 MODULE 1
UNIT 2 THE SUBJECT MATTER OF POLITICAL

SCIENCE
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 The Subject Matter of Political Science
3.1.1 Political Philosophy
3.1.2 Judicial and Legal Process
3.1.3 Executive Process
3.1.4 Administrative Organization and Behaviour
3.1.5 Legislative Politics
3.2 Approaches to the Study of Politics.
3.2.1 Traditional Approaches
3.2.2 Behavioural Approach
3.2.3 System Analysis Approach
3.2.4 Structural Functionalism Approach
3.2.5 Class Analysis Approach
3.2.6 Political Parties and Interest groups Approach
3.2.7 Voting and Public Opinion Approach
3.2.8 Comparative Politics Approach
3.2.9 Political Development Approach
3.2.10 International Politics and Organisations
Approach
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the previous unit, you learnt about what politics is all about and the
development of political science as a field of study. This unit introduces
us to the subject matter of political science as well as analyses the
various approaches to the study of politics.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• identify the subject matter of Political Science

• differentiate between the various approaches to the study of
politics.
9
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 The Subject Matter of Political Science
Political science like many subjects such as Economics and History

were once part of Philosophy. But today, political science has gained its
own independence and has developed many fields and sub-disciplines
some of which we discus briefly below. More emphasis will be placed
on the Behavioural and Legalist approaches in subsequent units.
3.1.1 Political Philosophy
We all know that every political act implies underlying political value.
Thus, from Plato to early 20th century, political philosophy was
concerned with the values that were regarded as essential for the good
citizen and a just state. The questions then were as they are today:
(a) What is justice?

(b) What makes political power and its exercise legitimate?
(c) What is the sanction for rebellion against the authority of the
state?
(d) How should property and the other forms of material possession
be distributed among citizens?
(e) To what extent should citizens be entitled to participate in the
decision-making processes of government?
Answers to these and similar questions have been and will continue to
be endlessly debated because the “answers” are based on
value-judgement and not facts. Thus, political philosophy is the least
scientific sub-discipline of political science. It is concerned with the
normative implications the way the state and society ought to behave,
given certain fundamental human values.
3.1.2 Judicial and Legal Process
This sub-discipline of political science is very important. The questions

which arise within this sub-discipline are:
(a) How do constitutions affect the operation of government, and

how do the operations of government affect the development of
constitutions?
(b) How are the laws administered, interpreted and enforced?
(c) What are the rights of citizens under the law?
(d) If the constitution of a state is the supreme law of the land, which
agency of government has the final word in determining the
meaning of the law-in fact as well as in theory?
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
(e) How are conflicts between the Legislative, Executive, and

Judicial branches of government resolved?
(f) How are the jurisdictions of Federal and State governments
defined?
3.1.3 Executive Process
The most visible symbol of a state is its Chief Executive. How is he or

she selected or elected? What are the formal and informal
responsibilities? How does he or she exercise the powers inherent in his
office? What are these roles, and how do they complement or conflict
with one another according to his or her personality, ambition and
goals?
Kings, Prime Ministers, premiers and presidents all require staffs of

executive assistants, for the performance of their duties in office. The
study of the executive process then is in large part the study of
bureaucracy – the way it is organized and the way it functions.
3.1.4 Administrative Organization and Behaviour
Political science is also concerned with the behaviour of administrators

themselves at all levels of the bureaucratic administrators themselves at
all levels of the bureaucratic hierarchy. The political scientists working
in this field are concerned about – how decisions are made? How is it
that the best made plans of administrators often produced unintended
results or no result? Not responsible to the voters, perhaps enjoying the
professional security of a civil service appointment, how can an
administrator be motivated to perform his tasks with a sense of
responsibility to the public interest?
To answer these questions, researchers often rely on detailed case

studies, that trace the interaction of a specific governmental programme.
Researchers conduct interviews and go through original documents in
order to reach a conclusion as to how certain things get done within an
organization such as business corporations, the trade unions, the
University, etc.
3.1.5 Legislative Politics
How are laws made in terms of the clash of interests inside and outside
the legislative arena? How do the rules and procedures of the legislature,
its system of committees and sub-committees, affect the substance of
legislative policy? How is power distributed among the legislators
themselves?
11
The legislature functions primarily as the watchdog of the Executive.

How successful are they in monitoring the operations of executive
agencies and in maintaining the political responsibility of administrator
to rank-and-file citizens through their elected representatives? How well
do legislators attend to the diverse needs of their many constituents?
What do you consider to be the subject matter of political science?
3.2 Approaches to the Study of Politics
Political scientists have adopted several approaches to the study of

politics. Approaches provide the political scientist with the conceptual
framework in understanding political life. We shall consider these
approaches in the following sub-units.
3.2.1 Traditional Approaches
There are two major approaches under the traditional approaches
(a) the historical;

(b) the institutional approaches to the study of political process.
The historical approach relies mainly on the facts of the past to explain
the present and probable future political development within political
institutions and process.
By contrast, the traditional/institutional approach emphasizes

philosophy, law, logic, norms, values and institutions as much as the
historical approach.
The traditional approaches have been criticised as static and

over-simplified assumptions about today’s reality in the political
process. However, the approaches still have their use in political study.
3.2.2 Behavioural Approach
Behaviouralism was developed by American political scientists as an

alternative to the traditional approaches in the 1940s and 1950s. This
approach concentrates on careful observation of individual behaviour in
the political process and less on state political institutions. Behaviourists
borrow from sociology and psychology as well as other disciplines. This
have allowed for the development and application of psychoanalysis,
decision-making models and system theory to the study of politics.
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
Behaviorists use more statistical methods, on testing hypothesis than

other political scientists. They insist that it is only through practical
approach, measurements and facts that political science can move
towards being a science than mere descriptive formalism and political
philosophy. Behaviorism as an approach is an improvement in
methodology upon the traditional approaches and it is a reflection of the
rapid growth of the discipline.
The advent of World War II brought new approaches to political

science. The major approaches are: System Analysis, Structural
Functionalism, Group Approach, Elite Analysis, Class Analysis and
Political Economy.
3.2.3 Systems Analysis Approach

System analysis is an attempt by David Easton, its originator to apply
general systems theories to political science. In this pioneering effort,
Easton insisted that political system “is that system of interactions in
any society through which binding or authoritative allocations are
made”.
ENVIRONMENT
DEMANDS THE POLITICAL AUTHORITATIVE

SYSTEM DECISION + OUTPUTS
SUPPORT
CONVERSION PROCESS
ACTS
FEEDBACK
Easton explained that from the environment demands are made on the
political system in the form of INPUT. (Demands and Support). These
demands are then processed into OUTPUTS, which are
AUTHORITATIVE DECISIONS (Legislations or Acts). Through a
feedback loop changes brought about by those outcomes after
conversion, a channel led back into the system in form of increased,
intensified or modified demands and supports. Although the model is
largely abstract, it is useful as a general framework for political analysis.
3.2.4 Structural Functionalism Approach

This approach is an offshoot of systems analysis. It focuses largely on
explaining the functions a political system must perform to survive and
defines structures or organizations which can most efficiently perform
13
the functions. The structures may be political parties, pressure groups or

formal government institutions performing system-maintenance
functions such as informing the electorate on important issues and
allowing for wider participation in the political system.
Although the approach cannot provide a general theory for all aspects of
political science, nevertheless, it provides standard categories for
different political system and therefore useful in comparative
government/politics.
3.2.5 Class Analysis Approach

This is the most radical approach in political science. The approach
focuses on division of society into classes and how this social
stratification determines social conflict and social change. However,
there is a great deal of disagreement as to the basis of stratification in a
given society and the conflict it generates within the political system.
Most Marxist political scientists insist that class exist in all societies
because of the nature of mode of production. They insist that those who
own the means of production take decisions that affect the lives of
workers who work for pay. It further explains that those who own the
means of production continue to expropriate the surplus wealth created
by workers; and that it is this class relationship that has brought about
class antagonism and class wars/revolutions.
3.2.6 Political Parties and Interest Groups Approach

Many political scientists believe that the legislative process in
Parliament or Assembly is primarily an institution that structures the
conflict of interests and demands expressed by political parties. The job
of political scientists with this kind of concern is the analyses of the
organization and behaviour of these groups in and out of Parliament,
Assembly or Congress.
From the standpoint of “group theory”, and in fact passed by the

legislature it expresses mainly the prevailing distribution of influence
among competing groups, each of them seeking to advance its own
particular interest, thus, we may ask what interest do these groups truly
represent? In the case of political parties, their membership, political
access, and policies structured by the electoral system very much
determine their rules in the legislative or executive branches of
government.
The concerns of the political scientists using this approach are: where
does the political party, draw their support from? Do their policies and
programmes differ from each other? How do they make decisions? How
do they select their leaders? How do they raise money and to what
14
PAD 204 MODULE 1
extent power is concentrated or diffused throughout the organization

hierarchy? These are the vital questions that most political scientists
working within this approach must adopt in the research aims and
objectives.
3.2.7 Voting and Public Opinion Approach

Some political scientists are mainly concern with voting patterns and
public opinions on political issues. The important questions which
political scientists working with this approach are as follows:
What is the “mind” of the public? How do the opinions, attitudes, and
beliefs of citizens affect the policy making political elites? What
motivate citizens to vote or not to vote? Are voters more concerned
about issues or about personality of particular candidates? Is the voter
voting for a particular party because of long standing loyalty to that
party, regardless of its candidates or position to the major issues of the
day? And how do the various orientations of voters relate to their level
of education, their age, sex, race, religion, income and place of
residence? These questions are vital to our understanding of the political
process in any given country.
3.2.8 Comparative Politics Approach
Any or all the above sub-disciplines in political science may be

integrated into a comparative framework. When political scientists look
at the political parties or socialization processes of two or more
countries, they are able to clarify their generalizations about a particular
political system because its characteristics are highlighted by
comparison with those of other political systems.
Comparative political analysis is also an aid in understanding and

identifying those characteristics which may be universal to the political
process, regardless of time or place. By adopting the comparative
approach, new fields of research have been developed. These include:
comparative studies of political elites in two countries or more, political
violence, and political corruption; political socialization, political
culture, political parties and interest groups. These sub-disciplines have
benefited in no small ways from the comparative approach.
3.2.9 Political Development Approach
It became clear after World War II that students of comparative politics

had overlooked a vast reservoir of potential knowledge about the
political process. The earlier focus had been on the industrialized and
modernized states of the West. The emergence of newly independent
15
countries all over the world forced Western researchers to examine non-
Western cultures and the political processes emerging in these countries.
Researchers developed new methods and tools of analysis and were able
to examine the socio-economic and the political processes of these
developing states.
Students of political development are today concerned with the effects

of urbanization and economic development on political organization and
behaviour, with education, with the way which political change and
socio-economic development affect the more fundamental differences,
between various ethnic and religious groups within the same society.
The study of developing states has helped us to understand the

institutions and the supporting attitudes and behaviour that define
“democracy” do not emerge suddenly from the informed intellect and
good will of those who choose to write democratic constitutions. And,
in fact, all societies may be understood to be in the process of political
development. They consequently according to their varying degree of
modernization or development: the extent to which all citizens have
been mobilized by socio-economic development and cultural change for
participation in politics, the capabilities of existing political
organizations for accommodating the interests and demands of citizens,
thus providing them with a sense of participation and efficacy in the
functioning of government.
3.2.10 International Politics and Organisations Approach
The study of international politics has been one of the long-standing

concerns of political scientists, due largely to the occurrence of wars and
political conflicts between nations. The focus in this sub-discipline is on
the resources that help explain differences in the distribution of
international power, the circumstances that contribute to a balance of
power between competing states or to a breakdown in the balance of
power, the interests represented by the alliances between states and the
pattern of conflict and cooperation between blocs of aligned and non-
aligned states; the relationships stimulated by economic trade and
interdependence, and those institutions devoted to improving the
chances of peace and international cooperation, e.g. the United Nations
Organisations. More will be said about this in another unit.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Political scientists employ a number of approaches in the study and
understanding of political phenomenon. These approaches which are
distinct, but overlapping seek to understand the subject matter of
politics.
16
PAD 204 MODULE 1
5.0 SUMMARY
In this unit, we have looked at the preoccupation of Political science.
We also identified the various approaches and lenses that political
scientists employ in the study of politics. A word of a caution to you as a
student of politics: these approaches should be seen as complementing
each other rather than standing alone, as most at times they find
themselves overlapping.

Critique the various approaches to the study of politics.
Almond, G. A. (1956). Comparative Political Systems”, Journal of

Politics, Vol. 18.
Almond, G. A. & Powell, G. B. (1966). Comparative Politics: A

Development Approach. Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
Bodin, Jean (1955). Six Books of the Commonwealth. Abridged and

translated by M. J. Todley; Oxford: Blackwell.
Deutsch, Karl W. (1963). The Nerves of Government. New York: The

Free Press of Glence.
Easton, David (1961). A Framework for Political Analysis. New Haven:

Yale University Press.
Easton, David (1965). A System Analysis of Political Life. New York:

John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Harold, J. Laski (ed.) (1963). A Defence of Liberty Against T. Prants;

Gloucester. Mass: Peter Smith.
Lichtheim, George (1965). Marxism: An Historical and Critical Study.

New York: Praeger.
Neumann, Franz (1949). Introduction to Montesquieu’s Spirit of Laws.

Translated by Thomas H. Nugent. New York: Halfner Pub. Co.
Sabine, George H. A History of Political Theory. New York: Henry

Holt.
17
UNIT 3 THE LEGALISTIC APPROACH TO THE

STUDY OF POLITICS
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objective
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Law and Society
3.2 What then is Law?
3.1.1 Body of Rules
3.1.2 Conduct
3.1.3 Legitimate Authority
3.3 Features of the Legal Approach
3.3.1 The Legal Basis of Political Institutions.
3.3.2 The Legal Basis of Political Rights
3.3.2 The Protection of Rights
3.3.4 Legal Remedies
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The legal approach is very important in political science because it
focuses on the legal provisions which are usually contained in the
Constitution and other laws of the land. Because disputes are likely to
arise between different arms of government and different levels of
government, there is need for a legal system that can interpret laws and
reconcile likely disputes and conflicts between the various arms of
government. The concern of the legal approach is about the
administration of laws, its interpretation and enforcement.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• explain the legal approach to the study of political science.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Law and Society

No modern society can exist without a system of laws. The institution
of law is therefore crucial to the social organization of human beings. A
modern society is not like the state of nature (primitive society) where
18
PAD 204 MODULE 1
life was ‘solitary, nasty, brutish and short’ – the state of anarchy
according to Thomas Hobbes.
The concept of ‘the law’ connotes to the political scientist, the

processes, principles, standards, and rules which govern the
relationships and which help resolve the conflicting interests of men and
institutions in a cohesive society.
It is impossible to conceive of a modern society operating without the

benefit of law - without the carefully formulated principles, standards,
and rules that keep our invalued social complex from disintegration. No
rational person believes that the intricate problems arising in an urban
society could be dealt with in the absence of statues, courts, legislatives,
executives, administrators, policemen, and penalties. Such a society
constitutes a seamless web of important and conflicting interests, and
the concept of law is central to it.
Government does not rely solely upon the law to achieve its objectives,
but government without the law does not have legitimate authority to
rule. To govern means to control, and control in the political sense
within a state requires principles of conduct embedded in legal
principles, standards, and rules and enforced by sanctions, whether civil
or criminal.
In democratic society, the goal of government is the attainment of

justice, law exists to help reach this goal, although in practice results
often fall short of this ideal.
Law also encompasses the do’s and don’ts of man’s routine experiences
in everyday living. For example, if a man park his car on the wrong side
of the road, dumped his rubbish/garbage in a forbidden area, insult or
punch his neighbour in a fit of temper, or fail to file his income tax
return, etc. and legal sanctions will fall upon his shoulders – heavily or
according to the nature of his offence.
3.2 What then is Law?
The term is one of the most ambiguous and fluid known to man. There
is little agreement as to its meaning and it may be that there is no final
answer. A basic difficulty is that “law” means so many different things
to so many different persons at so many different times and in so many
different places. Justice Oliver Wendell Homes (American Jurists) once
said: “A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged; it is the skin
of a living thought and may vary greatly in colour and content according
to the circumstances and the time in which it is used.” This is true of
law.
19
Despite the above position about the ambiguity of law, let us define the
law as a body of rules for human conduct that is backed by legitimate
authority. The three components in this definition are:
i) Body of rules
ii) Conduct, and
iii) Legitimate Authority
3.2.1 Body of Rules
Law can be expressed or conceived as doing things with rules. In other

words, law is a technique of social ordering [W. Twinning and D. Miers
(1979) To Do Things with Rules]. From this definition we could
conclude that within the province of law we have rules and regulations,
norms, values, codes, legislative enactments, edicts and decrees.
3.2.2 Human Conduct
A law regulates the behaviour of human beings in everyday activities

and in their personal interrelationship. This explanation is important as
we are aware of other forms of law, i.e. Mathematical laws, Biological
laws, Mechanical laws, etc.
3.2.3 Legitimate Authority
A law either written or mere verbal proclamation is mere words unless it

is backed by some form of authority; this authority could be traditional,
legalistic/rational legal. Without legitimate authoritative backing,
people will violate laws with impunity.
Law and society are related. Society survives because there are laws
which regulate the behaviour of individuals. Indeed, the societal
framework provides the premise upon which law are developed. On the
one hand no society can achieve any measures of success/development
unless there are established legal systems.
Identify and discuss three components of the definition of law.
3.3 Features of the Legal Approach
The legal approach in the study of politics is concerned with the

following areas:
20
PAD 204 MODULE 1
(i) The Legal Basis of Political Institutions.

(ii) The Legal Basis of Political Rights
(iii) The Protection of rights
(iv) Legal Remedies.
3.3.1 The Legal Basis of Political Institutions
Political Institutions are usually created in the Constitution which is the

fundamental law of the State. The Constitution also stipulates the
relationship among the various institutions of government. For
example, in the 1999 Constitution, of Nigeria, the following Political
Institutions were created:
Chapter 4 - The Legislature (National Assembly)

Chapter 5 - The Executive
Chapter 6 - The Judiciary
The composition and functions of the Nigeria Government must be in

accordance with the provisions of the Constitution as specified in
various chapters and sections.
3.3.2 The Legal Basis of Political Rights

Political Rights derive their source from the Constitution. Chapters 33
to 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
guarantees the following Rights:
Chapter 33 - Right to life.

Chapter 34 - Right to dignity of human person.
Chapter 35 - Right to personal liberty
Chapter 36 - Right to fair hearing.
Chapter 37 - Right to private life
Chapter 38 - Right to freedom of thought, conscience and
religion
Chapter 39 - Right to freedom of expression and press.
Chapter 40 - Right to peaceful assembly and association.
Chapter 41 - Right to freedom of movement
Chapter 42 - Right to freedom from discrimination.
3.3.3 Legal Protections of Rights
Political rights enjoyed by the people in a democratic country/society

are usually protected by certain legal devices such as:
- The Rule of Law

- The Right to Fair Hearing (Audi alteram Parterm)
- The Rule Against Bias (Nemo judex in Causa Sua).
21
3.3.4 Legal Remedies
It is inconceivable to think of legal rights without legal remedies. Thus,

if a person has a legal right and the right is violated, then such a person
should be entitled to some remedy. A remedy is therefore a
compensation for the violation of legal rights. Remedies reverse wrong
decisions and make appropriate decisions to correct legal injustices.
These remedies include:
a) The Order of Habeas Corpus

b) The Writ of Prohibitions
c) The Writ of Mandamus
d) The Writ of Injunctions
e) Declarations
In addition to the Constitutional Law, there are other legal instruments

that influence the political process in a particular country. These include
laws made by the Legislative Assembly and the System of Courts.
Every state/country has its legal system which is made up of both the
substantive and procedural laws and judicial organizational structure.
For example, in Nigeria, we have the Criminal Code, the Penal Code,
the Civil Procedure Code, the Sharia Laws, the Customary Laws and
other enactment by the National Assembly. Also in Nigeria, we have
various grades of Courts – Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal
High Court, the State High Courts, Magistrate Courts and Customary
Courts.
Other features of the Nigeria legal system which are more or less
political in nature include the Public Complaint Commission, The Code
of Conduct Bureau, Public Commissions of Inquiry, The Economic and
Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Public Tribunals, etc.
What are the features of the legal approach to the study of Political
science?
4.0 CONCLUSION
In this Unit, we have attempted to examine the legal approach to the

study of politics. The relationship between law and society has also been
explained.
22
PAD 204 MODULE 1
5.0 SUMMARY
As can be seen from the above outline, no satisfactory explanation of the

workings of the political system of any country can be provided without
looking at the legal framework. Political institutions by and large derive
their existence from the legal and constitutional system, hence the
importance of legal approach in the study of politics.
i. Why is the Legal Approach so important in the study of Politics?

ii. Evaluate the Legal Approach to the study of Politics in relation to
the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Duke, V. V. (1967). Political Science: A Philosophical Analysis.

California: Stanford University Press.
Geoner, J. F. & Jones, B. C. (1985). Administrative Law. London:

Butterworth.
Hart, H.L.A. (1961). The Concept of Law.
Oluyede, P. A. (1988). Nigerian Administrative Law. Ibadan: Ibadan

University Press.
Rodee, et al. (1983). Introduction to Political Science. London:

McGraw-Hill.
23
UNIT 4 THE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH TO THE

STUDY OF POLITICS
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 The Features of Political Science in the Pre-behavioral
Period
3.2 Factors which Contributed to the Emergence of the
Scientific Study of Politics
3.3 The Chicago School
3.4 The Princeton School
3.5 Foundations Fund Support
3.6 Immigration of European Scholars to the United States of
America
3.7 The Main Features of the Behavioural Approach
3.8 Criticism against the Behavioural Approach
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
70. References/Further Reading
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This unit examines the Behavioural Approach to the study of the

Political Science. Behaviorism was developed by American Political
Scientists as an alternative to the traditional approaches in the 1940s and
1950s. This approach concentrates on careful observation of individual
behaviour in the political process and less on state political institutions.
The objective of the behavioural approach is to make the study of
politics more scientific.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• explain the features of Political Science in the pre-behavioural

period
• discuss the factors which contributed to the emergence of the
Behavioural Approach
• explain the main features of the Behavioural Approach
• discuss the criticisms of the Behavioural Approach.
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 The Features of Political Science in the Pre-behavioral

Period
The method of studying Political Science before the World War II was
largely unscientific and largely descriptive. According to Truman,
Political Science as a discipline before behaviouralism was
characterized by six features:
1. A lack of concern with political system as such, including the

American Political System which amounted in most cases to
taking their properties and requirement for granted.
2. The absence of an explicit conception of political change and
development that was blindly optimistic and unreflectively
reformist.
3. The almost total neglect of theory in any meaningful sense of the
term.
4. The consequent enthusiasm for a conception of science that rarely
went beyond raw empiricism.
5. A strongly parochial preoccupation with things American that
stunted the development of an effective comparative method, and
6. The establishment of a continuity commitment to concrete
description (Truman, 1951)
This was how most American Political Scientists viewed the method of
studying the subject before World War II. However, the events and the
consequence of World War II acted as a wakeup call that made
American Political Scientists more critical of political science
methodology as their research methodology could not find answers to
most of the emerging problems thrown up by the War.
According to Davies and Lewis (1971) there was:
A great dissatisfaction with methods of investigation with

the working of the political system once characteristic
mainly of British and European Political Scientist. In fact
we are often told there was little concern with what is now
called the political system but more with the study of the
State. And the study of the State meant analyses of the
articles of constitutions, legislations passed by
governments and the institutions to which the constitutions
made provision.
The emphasis on the analysis of the State, law and constitution relegated
the study of the general social framework of the state to the background.
25
One problem which is associated with the concentration of the study on

the state and its institutions is that such institutions may be outdated, but
the study may not reflect such changes. Furthermore, the emphasis on
the state and its institution may not provide an objective criterion for
comparing different states.
The problems which necessitated the re-orientation of the study of

Political Science include according to Davies and Lewis (1977):
1. The need to explain the failure of democracy and the emergence

of authoritarian political institutions in Germany and Italy before
and during the War.
2. The need to explain the political processes of the post-colonial
states in Africa and Asia.
3. The need to develop a theoretical analysis of politics which could
explain the development of different kinds of political
institutions.
4. The need to develop models which could be used in comparative
politics.
According to Somit and Tenehaus the problems with the traditional

approach in America were centred around five major issues:
1. The discovery that the talents and skills of political scientists

were not highly valued by government bureaucrat or officials.
2. The inability of traditional political science to account to the rise
of Fascism, National Socialism (Naziscism) and Communism.
3. A growing sensitivity to and unhappiness with the basically
descriptive nature of the discipline.
4. The knowledge of advances in other social sciences.
5. The fear that political science was lagging behind its sister
professions and disciplines.
What are the features of Political Science in Pre-behavioural period?
3.2 Factors which contributed to the emergence of the

Behavioural approach in Political Science
There were a number of factors which contributed to the emergence of

the behavioural approach. We now discuss some of them below:
26
PAD 204 MODULE 1
3.3 The Chicago School
The birth place of the Behavioural School is the Department of Political

Science, University of Chicago, USA. It was there that few political
scientists under the leadership of Charles E. Merriam, pioneered the
study of what we now know as the Behavioural Approach. Other
pioneering personalities in the Chicago School included Harold
Lasswell, V. O. Key Jr., David Truman, Herbert Simon and Gabriel
Almond and others.
3.4 The Princeton School
The Princeton School was located at the Department of Political

Science, University of Princeton, USA. Its research methodology is
based on the behavioural approach. Its field of specialization was
cross-cultural studies. Those associated with the Princeton School
included James S. Coleman, Lucian Pye, Sydney Verba, Myro Weiner,
Dankwart A. Roston and George I. Blankstern.
3.5 Foundations Fund Support
The re-orientation of Political Science methodology was assisted by an

unprecedented flow of foundation funds. Those foundations active in
providing funds for research on political science were the Ford, the
Rockefeller and the Carnegie Foundations.
3.6 The Immigration of European Scholars into the USA
The policies pursued by the Nazi Government in Germany made many

German Scholars to migrate to the US during the War. Scholars from
other European Universities also moved to America during and after the
War. These scholars arrived in America with intellectual
techniques/methods, which helped behaviouralism to develop as a
methodology.
Other factors that helped boosted the Behavioural approach included the
encouragement of the American Political Science Association and the
Social Science Research Council, the growth of survey methods,
especially at the Survey Research Centre of the University of Michigan
and the Bureau of Applied Social Research at Columbia University.
3.7 The Main Features of the Behavioural Approach
The main features of the Behavioural approach are as follows:
27
1. The objective is to make the study of political science scientific

thus capable of explanations and predictions.
2. The focus of study is on observable behaviour of individuals and
groups in the political process.
3. The use of quantitative method is encouraged since this would
assist in accurate measurement of data.
4. Research is aimed at developing theories which could provide
acceptable explanation for political behaviour.
5. Research is, also, aimed at providing solutions to immediate
social problems.
6. Political Science is to be made more inter-disciplinary, embracing
other social sciences.
7. Research should employ statistical techniques such as
multivariate analysis, sample surveys, mathematical models and
simulation.
With the increasing use of the behavioural approach in Political Science,

major changes were noticed in the vocabulary of politics. Such words
includes boundary maintenance, bargaining, conceptual framework,
decision-making, functionalism, factor analysis, feedback, model, game
theory, input/output, political socialization, political culture, political
system, etc. This behaviouralism has made political science an inter-
disciplinary subject and fully integrated it into other social sciences.
3.8 Criticism of the Behavioural Approach
Major critics of the approach included William Yandell Elliot, Edward

S. Corwan, Luther Gullick, Walter J. Sheperd, James Hart, H. Mark
Jacobson and Charles A. Bear (Gullick, 1956). The main contention of
these critics of the Behavioural Approach were:
1. Political Science is not, nor is it ever likely to become a science

in any realistic sense of the term.
2. Overt political behaviour tells only part of the story. Different
individuals may perform the same act for quite different reasons.
To understand what they do, one must go beyond or behind,
observable behaviour. The anti-behaviouralist holds that the
larger part of political life lies beneath the surface of human
action and cannot be directly apprehended.
3. Because Political Berhaviour is not quantifiable whatever the
theoretical merits of quantification, it cannot make political
science scientific.
4. The pre-occupation with general theory tends to block less
ambitious prospects but in the long run is more productive
inquiry. At best, it has led to the proliferation of concepts which
cannot be operationalised.
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
5. Significant political issues involve moral and ethical issues.

Political Science has historically been, and must continue to be
more concerned with questions of right and wrong even if these
cannot be scientifically resolved.
6. There has been indiscriminate borrowing of concepts and
techniques which are simply inappropriate for political inquiry.
7. As for ‘Scientific Objectivity’, there is almost universal
skepticism among the anti-behaviouralist that it is attainable and
considerable doubt that it is inherently desirable. (Somit and
Tenenhaus, 1968).
Discuss various criticisms, the anti-Behaviouralist approach leveled

against behaviouralism as a method in Political Science.
4.0 CONCLUSION
We have tried to look at the features of the pre-behavioural approach to
the study of politics and the factors that led to the emergence of the
behavioural approach. The basic tenets of behaviouralsim and its
weaknesses have also been examined.
5.0 SUMMARY
The period 1945 – 1965 was a period of transformation of political
science. The period witnessed a revolutionary change in political
science methodology. The University of Chicago pioneered a new
method of studying politics – the Behavioural Approach – which
challenged the Historical and the Institutional Approaches in Political
science. The main focus of Behaviorism is to make the study of
Political Science Scientific. While behaviorism has been acted and
applied in research by many scholars, there are number of scholars who
doubt the usefulness of behaviourism.

i. Discuss the emergence of the Behavioural Approach in the study
of Politics.
ii. Identify and discuss the main features of the Behavioural
Approach.
iii. Write a critique of the Behavioural Approach.
29

Almond, A. G. and Powell, G. B. (1966). Comparative Politics: A
Developmental Approach. Boston: Little Brown.
Almond, A. G, and Verba, B. (1963). The Civic Culture: Political

Attitudes in Five Nations. New Jersey: Princeton University
Press.
Davis, R. M. and Lewis, A. V. (1971). Models of Political System.

London: Macmillan.
Deutsch, K. W. (1963). The Nerves of Government. Glenco III: Free

Press.
Easton, D. (1965). A System Analysis of Political Life. London: John

Willey.
Lasswell, H. D. (1935). Politics: Who Gets What, When and How? N.Y.
McGraw-Hill.
Merriam, C. (1934). Political Power. New York: McGraw Hill.
Somit, A. and Tenenhaus, J. (1968). The Development of American

Political Science. Boston: Ally & Bacon.
Truman, D. B. (1951). The Government Process. New York: Knopt.
Wallas, C. (1962). Human Nature in Politics. London: Constable Press.
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
UNIT 5 THE NATURE, PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS OF

THE MODERN STATE
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Definitions of the State
3.1.1 Theories of the State
3.1.2 Divine Rights of Kings
3.1.3 The Force Theory – Might Makes Right
3.1.4 The Social Contract Theory
3.1.5 The Evolutionary/Natural Theory of the State
3.2 Primary Characteristics of the State
3.3 State and Society
3.4 The Distinction between State and Nation
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Political Science is the study of life in an organized community and the

organized community is the state. According to Harold Laski (1967) the
study of politics “Concerns itself with the life of men in relation to
organized states”. What this means is that the study of politics is largely
the study of the state and other activities that relate to winning of power
and exercising such power in a given state/country.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• explain what the state is, its origins, its characteristics and
functions
• differentiate between state and society and state and nation.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Definitions of the State
There is no clear definition of the state. However, some radical writers

like Marx and Engels argued that the state is essentially an expression of
class relationships generated by the particular mode of production and
31
unambiguously involved in the class struggle on the side of the

dominant economic class. Thus, Marx and Engels (1976, P.486) wrote
that in capitalist society, “The executive of the modern state is but a
committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie”.
Some regard the state as one organization that transcends class and
stands for the whole community. Other definitions have emphasized the
political authority, the monopoly of force through government and
political allegiance of citizens to the state. Some have regarded the state
as moral and good society where justice and the promotion of the
general welfare of the people are established. Broadly speaking, the
state is the political form of society. What we call the state is a
community of men organized for preserving and creating order and
general well-being of its members.
3.1.1 Theories of the State –Origins of the State
The most obvious characteristic of early statehood are monarchy

supported by royal bureaucracy. The king becomes a national figure
that replaced the family and tribal head, while the King’s councilors take
the place of tribal elders. The origin of the state thus is marked by the
introduction of centralized authority, formalized hierarchy,
specialization of task in the performance of public duty, and writers
(instead of oral) communication. Although there are many theories of
the state, we are going to discuss four major ones in this section.
3.1.2 The Divine Rights of Kings
Prior to the organization of the state, tribal authority was based on

traditions and conventions. However, with emergence of a kingship
system, there was a need for creating legitimating principles to make a
ruler (King) acceptable to rule the subjects. To achieve this legitimacy
politics was united with religion and the King as then presented to the
people as choosing by the Divine Will. Thus, the idea that the ruler
(King) was God’s appointed agent on earth legitimized the King’s
power and made it both unquestionable and unassailable. Thus, to
challenge the king was to challenge the Divine Will (God’s authority).
Because of this, later Kings/Queens could claim descent from the first
King divinely appointed.
The Divine Right of Kings idea is the longest living doctrine in politics.
The theory helped the early kings to usurp tribal autonomy and allowed
many tyrants to disguise their actions as an expression of God’s will.
By contrast, the Divine Right theory helped to stabilize the political
process and prevented violence and revolutionary activities by making
the king and his orders divine.
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
Finally, the doctrine of divine right of kings aided the rulers to impart to
their subjects a sense of group cohesion and collective purpose that
formed the bedrock of most of modern day European states.
The theory of Divine Right of kings is a powerful doctrine as this has

been demonstrated by its endurance to date. For example, until 1917 the
Divine Rights of kings operated in Russia by the Romanov Dynasty.
And as at 1974, Emperor Haile Salasie was still claiming the Divine
Rights to rule over the people of Ethiopia.
3.1.3 The Force Theory – Might Makes Right
The doctrine of ‘might makes right’ is a simpler doctrine for

legitimizing state power or power between individual or groups. This is
an appeal to force or the battlefield where the fittest survive. What this
theory amount to is that ruler who know how to get power and how to
keep it are the effective and legitimate rulers. Thus, whoever has the
power to rule either by the use of force or fraud, can also legitimately
claim to have the authority to rule.
Theorists who support the force theory are concerned with ensuring
political stability. According to Thomas Hobbes, all the good things of
life, material and spiritual, depend first and foremost on the security of
life itself. For Hobbes, if there is no power to enforce the will of the
sovereign, then there is no government, no state, no security.
Hobbes and Machiavelli argued that any form of government could

rightly claim legitimate authority, as long as it had the power to enforce
its will. Both thinkers preferred monarchy because they believed that a
strong monarchy was the strongest government of all and so the most
entirely to ensure stability. What this means is that if a government lose
power it loses the legitimacy for claiming power. And that power
legitimizes itself.
Finally, the force theory opens the way for an undistinguished play for
power between states competing for position on the stage of
international politics. Those states that conquer others can rightfully
claim authority over their territorial conquests precisely because they are
the conquerors and not the conquered. And those revolutionary
movements and military coups that succeed can legitimately claim all
the rights and privileges formerly enjoyed by the old political order. In
fact, this is the primary criterion at work in the granting of diplomatic
recognition to new governments, whether they are established by
conquest from within or without. Does the new government in fact
govern the people and territory it claims to govern? Thus, most
governments avoid the troubling questions of right and wrong, justice
and injustice, in their dealing with each other.
33
3.1.4 Social Contract Theory
The alternative views of the origin of the state, and the principles that
legitimizes its power are found in the social contract theories. The
social contract theory is premised upon the idea that the state is a human
creation by means of agreement - a social contract agreed upon by
individual in a given society. Thomas Hobbes who was the first of the
social contract theorists argued that prior to the existence of the state,
life was “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” because there was no
organized authority to preside over the affairs of men.
In fact, life was a free for all fight and “every man was for himself and
God for us all”. It was man, in realization that this state of nature was
not benefiting them that they decided to surrender their individual
natural rights of self- government to an absolute sovereign authority by
means of a contract.
John Locke, another social contract theorist argued that because men are
rational, they can be trusted to pursue their self interest without
infringing on the equal rights enjoyed by other citizens. And because
men are rational, they can be trusted to judge the legitimacy of
government as it legislates, administers, and adjudicates states laws.
Although this line of thinking would lead to total freedom and so no
government as such, however, rational men perceived the advantages of
organizing a government. It can impartially settle disputes between
citizens, it is necessary to conduct foreign relations with other
governments, and it is essential authority for divining and maintaining a
system of monitory exchange which allows for the accumulation of
material wealth.
The idea of social contract was taken further by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
who insisted that no government was legitimate unless the people gave
their consent to its authority. Thus, Russeau’s social contract includes
all citizens in the initial agreement to by the terms of the contract, all
citizens enjoy an equal right to participate in the making of law, and so
to participate in the decision making that defines the appropriate
boundaries of the law and the proper domain of the state activity.
Finally, Rousseau insisted that government is legitimate only in so far as
it operates according to the principles of popular sovereignty.
3.1.5 The Evolutionary/Natural Theory of the State
According to evolutionary theorists, the state is best understood as an

evolving organism that develops naturally according to some inherent
dynamics of growth.
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
Aristotle in the forth B.C. had argued that the state developed from the
evolving interests and needs of the individual. In contrast to social
contract and force theories, the evolutionary theories believed the
individual’s needs and interests have been progressively met by the
family, the clan, the tribe, and finally, by the complete community of
social existence that is best expressed by the state. The guiding
principles of growth of the state has been self sufficiency (not self
interest) and the development of ever more elaborate institutions
essential to satisfying mankind’s unique and most distinguishing
characteristic reason.
Finally, war and conquest played an important role in the evolutionary

emergency of the modern state and its institution war and conquest
helped the consolidation of gained territory through war. And in the
origin and development of the state, common religious worship and
language had a great influence by welding together families, clans and
tribes into larger organized community better known as the state.
Discuss the major theories of the state known to you.
3.2 Primary Characteristics of the State
The “essential elements” of the modern state are: People, Territory,

Government and Sovereignty. In explaining each characteristic we will
be able to answer the question stated earlier: what is the nature of the
state?
A. People
The state as a human organization is made up of people that reside

within its territory. Membership of a state is compulsory once an
individual is born into it unless he changed his/her nationality. Even
when a national of Nigeria, for example, renounces his citizenship of
Nigeria he must acquire another citizenship because no one can be
stateless; except refugees who temporarily lost their State from which
they fled into exile.
When we are talking about the state in terms of population we are

concerned with numbers and the characteristics of the people who
composed the state’s body politic. For example, while some modern
states like the U.S.A and Canada are still under populated relative to
land area and resources, other states like Egypt and India are confronted
by the problem of a population that is expanding too rapidly for their
natural and technological resources.
35
Thus, a state with a very small population may find it difficult or

impossible to maintain its independence against states with greater
manpower and resources. For example, the lack of significant
population growth in Ghana contributed to the decline of Ghana as a
regional power from her position in the 1950s and early 1960s.
The characteristics of the people who compose the state are very
important to the state standing in the world. If there is high literacy and
high education in a particular country, then the skill in the economic
applications of modern technology will be high. Further, if the people
living within a state have a common language, subscribed to the same
religious beliefs and shared common cultures, then the strength of such a
state is enhanced more than a state with many nationalities and
languages. States such as France and Germany are stronger than states
like the old Soviet Union or Yugoslavia both of which have
disintegrated into ethnic states.
B. Territory
An important pre-requisite for the existence of the state is territory. Most

state has been established by conquest of neighbouring tribes and
forming a centralized administration. Important consideration about the
territory of a state should focus on its area, geographical location,
resources, technology and climate.
In the modern world there are presumably sovereign independent states

of all sizes and shapes ranging from a huge country like China to such a
tiny principalities like Luxemburg and Monaco with a small population
and land area. Yet, China and these small states have equal rights and
status in international law. However, small states often find it difficult
to act on the world stage or even to exist without alliances with stronger
neighbours or a superpower.
Geographical location is very important for a state’s survival and

development. It is very important that a state have natural barriers such
as ocean, sea, rivers, mountains or deserts, against powerful or
aggressive neighbours. For example, Island powers like Great Britain
and Japan developed strong navies, whereas Russia, Germany and
France relied on the military strength of their land armies.
Economic resources are also very important in determining a state’s

power in the world today. For example, little England and medium
sized Germany became great powers because of the early industrial
revolutions which in turn was made possible only because of rich
natural resources to which technology could be applied.
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
C. Government
The state exists in order to ensure the safety of the lives, liberties and
properties of its citizens. The agency of machinery by which the state
performs its functions is known as the government. This is normally
formed by a body of persons vested with authority to make and enforce
rules on people under their jurisdiction. The government can command
and coerce, that is use force, when obedience is not forthcoming. These
two attributes – the ability to command and coerce, constitute power or
authority of the state. Simply defined government is a body of persons
authorized to govern or rule a country or state.
There are various forms of government. Monarchy, which is

government by an individual who rules according to his will without
legal limitations, is the oldest form of government. The ruler usually
claims historical legitimacy through the Divine Rights of Kings.
Aristocracy is another form of government in which few citizens make
the major decisions that affect the lives of all the citizens of the country.
Finally, we have Democracy in which most citizens participate in
choosing their representatives into a Parliament, Congress or the
Assembly. Thus, whenever we have a group vested with comprehensive
power, there is a government.
Depending on the constitution of a country, the functions of government

are many and varied. There are three organs of government. The
Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The Government enacts or
makes Laws and general rules of conduct, usually under the direction of
the Executive. This function is performed by the Legislature or
Parliament, which consist of the Head of State, the Upper and the Lower
Houses in many countries. The legislature also controls the exercise of
executive power in the country on such matters as the national finance
and expenditure.
In the United States of America, Congress is the Legislature. The

Executive which comprises the Secretaries and the civil servants
including local government authorities sees to it that the laws passed and
the rules makes by the Legislature are put into effect. In most countries
the Executive is also concerned with the general administration. The
Judiciary refers to the courts of law which interpret and enforce the laws
and the rules. It is the duty of the judiciary to punish law breakers –
they are fined or sent to prisons.
Finally, we must make a distinction between the state and the

government. The state comprises the government and the governed.
Government on the other hand is only the machinery through which the
37
purposes of the state are sought to be realized. While the government of

a state may change from time to time, the state is a permanent entity.
D. Sovereignty
Sovereignty as a concept is discussed fully in another unit. It suffices to

say here that the word Sovereignty can be traced back to the Greek
Philosophers who used it to refer to that which is supreme in the state.
Since then, the concept has been variously defined and analyzed by
political scientists to convey several meanings. We could state here that
Sovereignty is the supreme legal authority of a state power over its own
affairs, be they internal or external. It is important to note that colonized
Africans or Asians could not claim statehood because they were
‘Sovereignty voids that is Metropolitan countries like Britain, France,
Holland, etc exercised sovereignty on their behalf.
What are the major characteristics of the State?
3.3 State and Society
For analytical purpose we must distinguish the State from Society. The
society is wider than the state. This distinction is very crucial. The state
exists within society but it is not even the form of society. While the
state is the nation legally organized and assuming the aspect of a single
legal association, society is the nation socially organized and assuming
the aspect of plurality of associations. Societies thus, suggest many
social relationships which cannot be expressed through the state. It
consists of the complex network of groups and institutions expressing
human association. The state is one of the groups in society. But it is
unique because it is the most important group. Although this group may
set the keynote of the social order, it is not identical with society. The
state provides the framework of the social order and it holds society
together. There are many groups or associations in society, e.g. the
family, the church or the club which do influence social life but owe
neither their origin nor their inspiration to the state. Again there are
established institutions or social forms like custom, initiation,
competition, marriage, inheritance, which the state may protect or
modify but certainly does not create. The state is a way of regulating
human conduct in society. Its end is a system of control and order.
The state is society in its political aspect. In personal composition the

state and society are one because they both include the same body of
persons. In purposes, however, they are different. The state exists for
one great but single legal purpose which is the making and enforcing of
38
PAD 204 MODULE 1
a permanent system of law and order. To equate state with society

would justify state interference in all aspect of the life of individual and
consequently may breed tyranny of state control. From experience, the
individual liberty suffers where no distinction is made between state and
society such as what existed in the totalitarian systems under Nazism in
Germany and Communism in the Soviet Union.
What is the difference between state and society?
3.4 The Distinction between State and Nation
Generally, the terms State and Nation are sometimes used

interchangeably. For clarity however, a clear distinction between the
two terms must be made. The terms may or may not be synonymous.
The word nation has two distinct meanings:
(i) It may mean a political unit i.e. a State

(ii) It may mean an ethnological unit, e.g. a Race
A nation in a political sense is what Ernest Baker defines simply as

juridical organized unit or a unit organized for action under legal rule.
As suggested earlier, it is sovereign state having a definite territory, a
population, a government, formal independence and a sense of national
identity made possible by a combination of both subjective and
objective factors.
A nation in ethnological sense is commonly defined as a group of people

who form a distinctive community by inhabiting a definite territory and
recognizing themselves as possessing relatively homogenous set of
cultural traits. Those cultural traits include a common or related blood,
a common language, a common religion, a common historical tradition
and common customs and habits e.g. the Yorubas of South West
Nigeria.
Not all the above ingredients need to be present among the people to
produce the spirit of nationalism i.e. a sense of belonging to a
homogenous unified group. In other words, a nation need not
necessarily be a state. The modern state is therefore not necessarily a
unitary nation, it may be multi-national in composition i.e. it may
contain national minority or ethnic group who may exist simply as a
social group cherishing its own social manners and culture, its own
particular language or dialect and its own form of particular religious
worship. Switzerland for example is a nation with three races, four
39
official languages and many local dialects. Great Britain is also made
up of the Irish, Scots, Welsh and the English.
Both countries despite the multi-ethnicity of their composition are

pervaded by a strong sense of national unity – a somewhat homogenous
political culture and above all by a subjective sentiment of belonging
together. On the other hand, a state may lack the spirit or feelings of
nationalism or of oneness among its people and yet it remained a state.
In this sense, Nigeria may still be conceived as a State but not a nation-
state.
What is the difference between State and Nation?
4.0 CONCLUSION
In this Unit, we have explained the nature, functions and purpose of the
state. We have examined various theories of the state both ancient and
modern. We also explained the various characteristics of the state and
law determining the power of the state in international politics. We
explained the difference between State, Society and Nation.
5.0 SUMMARY
If you have comprehended this Unit, you should now be able to explain
what the state is; understand theories purporting to explain the raison
detre of the state; the features of the state; and the differences between
the state and nation.
i. What is a state?
ii. What are the primary characteristics of the state?
iii. What is the role a Government within a State?
Bodin, Jean (1976). Six Books Concerning the Republic. Oxford

University Press.
Crawford, B. McPherson (1962). The Political Theory of Possessive

Individualism: Hobbes to Locke. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Ernest, Barker (1946). Introduction to the Politics of Aristotle.

New York: Oxford University Press.
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PAD 204 MODULE 1
Howard, Wamender (1957). The Political Philosophy of Hobbes.

Oxford. Clarendon Press.
James, Mellaart (1962). The Dawn of Civilization. London: Thames and

Hudson.
John, Locke Second Treatise of Civil Government (Everyman’s

Library).
Leslie, Lipson (1954). The Great Issues of Politics (5th edition.), New
Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Lindsay, A. D. (1947). The Modern Democratic State. New York:

Oxford University Press.
Poggi, Gianfranco (1978). The Development of the Modern State.

London: Hutchinson.
Powell, Brigham G., Jr. (1982). Contemporary Democracies. Harvard

University Press.
41
MODULE 2
Unit 1 The Concept of Sovereignty

Unit 2 Power and Authority
Unit 3 Legitimacy and Influence
Unit 4 Political Ideas and Movements
Unit 5 Constitution
UNIT 1 THE CONCEPT OF SOVEREIGNTY
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Development of the Concept of Sovereignty
3.2 Principal Characteristics of Sovereignty
3.3 Types of Sovereignty
3.4 Opponents of the Theory of Sovereignty
3.5 Limitations to the Sovereignty of the State
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The term ‘sovereignty’ is from French and means ‘above’ or ‘one who is
superior to other’. The term was originally used to identify the king and
in this context, the king represents the supreme and final authority of a
state. The king by exercising this enormous power of state sovereignty
is known as the “sovereign”. Thus, any country/state that is able to
conduct its own affairs independent of other states is a sovereign state
and as such is equal to other states in international law.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• define sovereignty
• explain the development of the concept
• describe its major characteristics and types, as well as its
limitations.
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Development of the Concept of Sovereignty
The concept of sovereignty has developed since the days of Aristotle

who contends that the Senate of the Athenian state is sovereign and that
its laws should be the final sovereign. However, in the sixteenth
century, the French political philosopher Jean Bodin gave it a new
meaning.
In his book titled “Six Books of a Commonwealth” Bodin (1576) argued

that “sovereignty” refers to the source of the state’s authority regardless
of its form of government. Sovereignty may be vested in a king or in
some elite group or even in the corporate citizenry of the society over
time. Whatever the form of sovereignty, Bodin explained, it is
distinguished by three attributes, it is absolute, perpetual and indivisible.
Bodin’s primary concern was to strengthen the authority of the French

monarch which some argued was constrained to honour certain
long-established traditions and principles enshrined in the common law
and in France’s feudal institutions. But if the king was limited by the
common law or by tradition, Bodin observed that the king was not
sovereign; as the sovereign power could not be divided among various
institutions, or formally limited by past experience, it followed that the
king could do whatever the king pleases. Sovereignty was absolute,
perpetual, and indivisible. However, Bodin admitted that Laws of God
and the Laws of Nature (that is laws perceived through reasons) and the
Salic Laws (that is the law of succession) were the only limitations on
sovereignty. Otherwise, the sovereign can do no wrong. Finally, Bodin
argued that the principal mark of the sovereign was the right to impose
laws on all subjects, their consent notwithstanding. To govern well,
Bodin believed that the sovereign must be above the law. Thus, law
itself was nothing more than the command of the sovereign.
Other notable political scientists who contributed to the development of

the concept of sovereignty include Grotius, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau,
Bentham, John Austin, Dicey and Field.
Hugo Grotius placed his emphasis on external sovereignty, that is, the
freedom or independence of the state from foreign control. Thomas
Hobbes also contributed to the development of the concept in his book
“Leviathan” published in 1651. Hobbes insisted that sovereign might be
one man or assembly but the power of the sovereign remained the same
in whomever it reside. Sovereign power is absolute and cannot be
shared, even though the sovereign may allow someone to exercise power
on his behalf. Hobbes argued that because the fundamental law of
43
nature was self-preservation, human beings were inherently disorderly,

selfish and were generally in conflict with one another. Thus, only a
strong and powerful ruler (sovereign) can put these tendencies of the
“war of all against all” in check. Hobbes, a supporter of Charles I,
during the Puritanic Revolution in England strongly declared that
sovereignty was absolute and resided in the ruler (the king). His work is
the first statement of complete sovereignty in the history of political
thought.
John Locke and Rouseau redefined sovereignty in term of people rather

than one single ruler. They contended that the ultimate power in any
state rested with the people. Locke in his “Essays on Civil Government”
wrote that the supreme power in the state lay with the people.
According to him, “the power of the state is limited, not absolute
because it derives power from the people and because it holds power in
trust for the people.” Rousseau went further; he insisted that whenever
the ruler violated or betrayed the “trust of the people”, the people had
the right not to obey the sovereign and to even overthrow his
government.
Let us now examine some of the modern views on sovereignty.

Professor Dicey distinguishes between legal and political sovereignty.
According to him, the legal sovereignty is that person or body of
persons having the power to make law. The political sovereign on the
other hand is that body of persons in the state (the electorate) whose will
ultimately prevails because legal sovereignty in the making of law is
bound to act according to their will. By contrast, Field felt there was no
need to make a distinction between political and legal sovereignty.
Sovereignty is a legal term used in terms of law only according to Field.
Finally, Bentham thinks of sovereignty in terms of the unlimited power
of the Legislature, and he argued that this power is only morally limited
by the possibility of justifiable resistance to its authority by the
individual or by a group/groups.
So varied are the views expressed on the concept of sovereignty by

political scientists and jurists that it may take a long time in discussing
them. For the purpose of our study, however, we shall consider the
characteristics and types of sovereignty. Sovereignty can be used in
three senses. Firstly, sovereignty used in the legal sense means that
there is only one authority in the state that can exercise it. And in this
instance, sovereignty is unlimited, limitable, and indivisible. Secondly,
sovereignty used in the coercive term implies that it is the coercive
authority of the state.
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
Since law has to be obeyed by citizens whether or not they like it, there
should be a coercive authority to enforce the laws of the land. Thirdly,
sovereignty is used to express the presence of a strong influence in the
society. Sovereignty is the distinctive mark of the state, distinguishing it
alike from individuals and associations in the community.
Who are the major contributors to the development of sovereignty as a

concept?
3.2 Principal Characteristics of Sovereignty
The main characteristics of sovereignty as developed by the political

theorists discussed above are:
(i) Indivisibility;
(ii) Absoluteness or unlimitedness,
(iii) Permanence,
(iv) Independence of foreign control, and
(v) Comprehensiveness.
a) Indivisibility - This implies that sovereignty is the supreme,

final, absolute, coercive power of the state over the people living
within the state. The possession of sovereign power by the state
enables it to make laws and enforce them with all the means of
coercion it can employ. The actions of the government of the
state are not subject to the control of any other associations
within the state. Sovereignty cannot be divided though the
government can delegate powers to certain agencies.
b) Absoluteness – This shows that the powers of a sovereign state

cannot be restricted. The modern state is essentially a sovereign
state which issues orders to all citizens and associations within its
area and receives orders from none. There is no limitation to its
legal powers. The absoluteness of sovereignty is necessary for
the effective running and the survival of any sovereign.
c) Permanence – This underscores the fact that as long as the state

exists, sovereignty continues without interruption. Government
may change and the state itself may be reorganized but
sovereignty is a permanent attribute of the state which does not
change.
There is an exception, however, sovereignty as a permanent attribute of

the state may change in case of war and conquest. In such a situation, a
45
more powerful state may wage a successful war against a weak state and
thereafter annex it. What happened then is that the annexed state
becomes “sovereign void” in the sense that the state that annexed it now
exercises the lost sovereignty of the conquered state.
d) Independence from foreign control - A sovereign state does not

only exercise supreme power within the area of its jurisdiction, it
is also independent of foreign control or external authority.
e) Comprehensiveness - This denotes that the power of the

sovereign is wide, complete and extensive in scope. The power
of the sovereign is all-embracing and is binding on all persons or
groups within the territorial boundary of the sovereign, however
large the land area may be. It is this attribute that brought all
British colonial territories under the authority of the British
Monarch (i.e. the Queen of England) before their attainment of
independence in the 1960s.
3.3 Types of Sovereignty
The various types of sovereignty is a subject of controversy among

writers. Some have written on legal and political sovereignty, others on
de factor, de jure and external/internal sovereignty. From our discussion
of sovereignty above, it is possible to deduce and make a possible
distinction between legal, political, de facto, de jure, internal and
external sovereignty.
i) Legal Sovereignty
The body that makes laws and enforces them in a state is the legal
sovereign. For example, Parliament in Britain is the legal sovereign.
Dicey has defined legal sovereignty as “a merely legal conception and
means simply the power of law-making, unrestricted by any legal limit.”
According to John Austin, the authority that gives commands which are
habitually obeyed and which are not binding on itself is the sovereign
power in a state. Thus, the will of the sovereign is law; and it is a
command obliging the subjects to do or refrain from doing certain
things. Failure to obey such a command will result in sanctions been
imposed on the subject(s).
ii) Political/Popular Sovereignty
While parliament is the legal sovereign, political sovereign refers to that

body which is supreme in a state, the will of which is ultimately obeyed
by the citizens of the state. In this sense, the electorates, constitutes the
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
political sovereign. By voting for legislators and the executives, the

electorate delegates to these arms of government the decision-making
powers. The electorate remains the ultimate power in a state by
subjecting those who exercise the state legislative sovereignty to
periodical renewal of their mandate through elections.
iii) De facto Sovereignty
This term is used to refer to the body or group of people who use force
to make citizens obey their command after having overthrown the
legitimate sovereign of the state through invasion, revolution, or coup
d’etat. De facto sovereignty is sovereignty as of a fact. That
sovereignty that resided in the Abacha’s Military Government was a fact
for a while. This situation arose because the military was able to
displace the legitimate sovereign through a palace coup. Because the
Abacha’s regime succeeded in keeping power from November, 1993 -
1998, it is the “de facto sovereign’ and it became recognized as a
legitimate sovereign because it was able to keep power for several years.
iv) De jure Sovereignty
Here the sovereign rule is based on law and legitimacy as opposed to

physical force. De jure sovereignty is explained in terms of the loyalty
which the people give the government’s claim to sovereignty and legal
sovereignty emanates from this loyalty.
v) Internal Sovereignty
This refers to a state’s supreme power to make and enforce whatever

laws it sees fit for its internal affairs. With regard to internal
sovereignty, wide variations exist among states as the location and scope
of sovereign power. Sovereignty may be vested in a Monarch, a
Parliament or National Assembly.
vi) External Sovereignty
The idea of external sovereignty presupposes independence of a

sovereign state from foreign control by any other state. The term is also
used to include powers of the state to conduct international relations on
“equality” and “unanimity” basis. Nowadays, there are some ways in
which state sovereignty can be limited through the influence and
authority of some world organizations such as the United Nations
Organisation (UNO) and African Union (AU) of which most states are
members. It should be noted here that because the world is becoming
more interdependence, there is very little difference between internal
47
and external sovereignty. This will be considered later when the subject
of International Relations/World Order is discussed.
3.4 Opponents of the Theory of Sovereignty
There are at least four schools of thought which believe that sovereignty
is not an essential quality of the state or that it may be divided or
limited. Critics of this theory point out:
1. that political life has changed radically, since the concept of

sovereignty was first developed; and
2. formulate new theories (based on present conditions) which take
into consideration the vast powers actually exercised by other
organizations.
Let us now examine the various aspects of these arguments.
a) The Pluralists: Pluralists insist that groups in which people are

organized, such as the church, the labour union, etc. are as
important as the state insofar as they may have a claim equal to or
superior to the state’s claim to the loyalty of individuals. Some
pluralists argue that self-government in industrial and other
organizations would ensure better performance of essential
functions now allocated to the state. Some would retain the state
as a specialized agency, but reduce it to equality with other
associations. Still others would retain it, curtained its powers as a
coordinating agency if specialized associations could not function
peacefully together.
b) The Internationalists: Internationalists hold that the state is not

really free to do as it pleases because its behaviour is restrained
by international law, international public opinion, internationally
accepted standards on human rights, and the growing
interdependence of nations in economic and technological fields.
c) International Law: Those who believe that law is superior to
the state challenge the assertion that the state makes law or that
law is the will of an inherently authoritative sovereign. They
assert that law is the sense of right of the community, and that the
state itself is the creature of law, subject to legal limitations.
Therefore, if we have a sovereign at all, law is sovereign. And, in
the same sense, if the international community agrees on certain
standards which gain the status of international law, then the state
becomes subject to restraints from without as well as from within.
Adherents of this point of view sometimes envision the
emergence of a world state as national sovereignty gives way to
the unified will of international law.
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
d) International Public Opinion: Mass communications have

created an unprecedented awareness of international events
among people throughout the world. The makers of a country’s
foreign policy certainly consider national goals such as survival,
security, and economic well-being before they evaluate the
reception which may be given their decisions in forums such as
the United Nations or the world’s major newspapers.
Nevertheless, cultivation of a positive “image” is preferable to a
negative one for any nation, and the pressure of international
public opinion may in certain instances tip the balance on behalf
of more internationally desirable behaviour. For example,
international public opinion was against Iraq’s invasion of
Kuwait in 1991. And thus for the first time in its history the
UNO went to war against a member state Iraq.
e) Human Rights: The post World War II Universal Declaration of

Human Rights, drawn up by the United Nations, has established
modern norms for governments to follow. Flagrant violations of
these standards have brought condemnation by the United
Nations General Assembly, and on occasion have produced
economic sanctions, arms embargoes, and armed invasion against
offending countries. On a regional level, for example, the
establishment of the European Commission on Human Rights has
succeeded, for example, in improving the lot of the Flemish-
speaking minority in Belgium. Again, sovereignty has been
modified in response to demands that transcend borders.
f) Interdependence: World resource shortages, environmental

pressures, expanding economic relationships, and the desire to
avoid massive nuclear destruction have in recent decades worked
to increase the independence of sovereign nations. And there is
no nation that can now stay on its own without relating to other
states.
Even the then Soviet Union, with undeniable super-power status, found
itself dependent upon wheat from the United States in the early 1970’s.
And despite considerable economic muscle, Japan was compelled to
modify her Middle East policy to ensure adequate supplies of petroleum
during the Arab oil embargo of the same period. Fear of exhausting or
destroying the wealth of the oceans has led to unprecedented
cooperation in limiting the freedom of nations to pollute and over-use
marine resources. In addition, some countries have willingly
surrendered the right to produce nuclear weaponry in exchange for
technical assistance in peaceful nuclear development. Finally, on the
one hand, the still fragile character of international economic relations,
and on the other hand, the growth of multinational corporations whose
49
interests span the globe have worked together to avert massive

dislocation like that of the 1930’s which resulted in the devastating
World War II in which over 28 million lives were lost.
Discuss the various types and characteristics of sovereignty.
3.5 Limitations to the Sovereignty of the State
As far as the relationship between the state and the individual is

concerned, there is little or no limit to the sovereignty of the state.
However, Jean Bodin argued that the sovereign is subjected to
limitations imposed by the “salic laws” (the law of succession), the law
of nature and the law of God, which laws the sovereign must obey.
Similarly, Thomas Hobbes believed that the sovereign can be disobeyed
when he can no longer protect the lives of his subjects. Finally, John
Locke believed that public interest should be paramount in the mind of
the ruler. Where such rulers substitute personal interest for public
interest, the rulers should be removed or recalled. What these various
forms of limitations mean is that sovereignty is not absolute as earlier
discussed.
Constitutional Supremacy, in many modern states, especially in federal

states, constitutes another limitation on state sovereignty. In federal
states, for example, in the United States, the legal sovereign is difficult
to locate. It is not Congress, for laws may be declared unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court. It is not the Supreme Court, because
amendments to the constitution may make constitutional what the
Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional. It is not the fifty states,
for their powers may be limited by amendments to the constitution. The
legal sovereign then consists of the combinations of authorities that have
power to amend the constitution – this includes the Judiciary, the States
and Congress.
The influence of powerful nations on small nations is yet another

limitation on state sovereignty. For example, the United States of
America recently succeeded in ordering the Haitian Military rulers,
which has been in power for two years, to step aside for the civilian
popularly elected Aristide. What this mean is that sovereignty is only a
legal concept and no state can claim total sovereignty if it is a small and
a weak state.
Another limitation is membership of International Organisations. Most

states are members of the United Nations Organisations which is one of
the most influential world bodies today. No state wants to be censured
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
by the UNO for failing to heed its wishes or advice. Most states respect
the majority of opinions of the organization and in fact world opinion is
now a real factor in international politics. Every state likes to project its
own image to the world in the best way possible. Most states wishes to
be in cordial terms with one another so that wars and conflicts may be
prevented.
Some countries are signatories to defence pacts or agreements, such as

the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the countries
concerned owe it a duty to fulfil the terms of the pacts religiously and
follows common policies as dictated by the terms of the pacts.
In the economic field, most countries are members of economic

organizations such as the European Union, the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS), etc., in which they have to submit to
certain control over trade and tariff policies in order to be members of
such bodies. On the political and social planes, there are associations
which membership involved submission to their rules and regulations.
It involves some sacrifice of sovereignty on the part of the countries
which are members of such associations or world bodies. In some ways,
therefore, the national sovereignty is still subject to external limitations.
Thus, there cannot be absolute, utterly unqualified state power and
hence no absolute sovereignty in domestic and external affairs.
What are the limitations to the sovereignty of the state?
4.0 CONCLUSION
In this unit, we have explained the theory of sovereignty in political

science. We have examined various aspects of the theory – the origins
and development of the concept, the principal characteristics of
sovereignty, the types and limitations to the sovereignty of the state. We
also explained the various reasons put forward by opponents of
sovereignty as a useful concept in political science.
i. What is sovereignty?
ii. Discuss the origins and development of sovereignty as a concept.
iii. What are the principal characteristics of sovereignty?
iv. Discuss the views of the opponents of the theory of sovereignty.
51
5.0 SUMMARY
Specifically what we have learnt can be summarized as follows:
• The theory of sovereignty.

• The origin and development of the concept.
• Limitations of the concept of sovereignty.
Baker, Ernest (1962). Social Contract. Essays by Locke, Hume and

Rousseau. Oxford University Press.
Bertrand de, Jouvenel (1963). Sovereignty: An Inquiry into the Political

Goal. Chicago University Press.
Bodin, John (1955). Six Books of the Commonwealth. Translated in M.J.

Tooley Oxford Blackwell.
Haddis, P. B. (1976). Foundations of Political Science. London:

Hutchinson.
Hobbes, Thomas (1968). Leviathan. edited by C.B. Macpherson.

Harmondsworth: Penguin.
Locke John, Second Treatise of Civil Government, Everyman’s Library.
Lucas, J. R. (1974). The Principles of Politics. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Tilly, C. (ed.) (1978). The Formation of National States in Western

Europe. New Jersey: Princeton.
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
UNIT 2 POWER AND AUTHORITY
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Concept of Power
3.2 Types of Power
3.3 Power in International Relations
3.4 Critical Issues of Power
3.5 The Utility of State Power
3.6 Authority
3.7 Type of Political Authority
3.8 Differences between Power and Authority
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Unit introduces us to the interrelatedness of the basic concepts in

political science, power and authority. It has been found that these
concepts are subjected to certain misinterpretation and abuses,
especially, for non-political scientists.
This Unit deals essentially with the 2 basic concepts: power and
authority. The other 2 concepts: influence and legitimacy will be
considered in the preceding section. It is important for you to know the
distinction between these concepts.
Political scientists at times attempt to equate politics with power,

authority, or conflict. No doubt, power holds a significant place among
other concepts of politics. Harold and Margaret Sprout put it “Some
concept of power underlies virtually every description of political
interaction, domestic as well as international”.
If politics has to do with state power then an adequate understanding of

the concept of power is also crucial for an understanding of politics.
Many argue that power is significant especially in the field of
international politics, where moral and consensual factors seem to be
much less important than they are in domestic politics. Power has
assumed such lofty status in international politics that some writers view
it as the field’s central concept (Hans Morgenthau). Power therefore is
the sole centralizing and organizing concept in the study of politics.
53
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• get exposure on the basic concepts of power and authority in

political science
• prepare how to apply the concepts of power and authority in
analytical and critical writing;
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 The Concept of Power
The concept of power can be developed based on human behaviour.

What is power in behavioural terms? From the commonsense core
meaning, it has to do with controlling or dominance over others. This is
called an intuitive definition. Robert Dahl’s rigorous definition: “A has
power over B to the extent that we can get B to do something that B
would not otherwise do”. Herbert Goldhamer and Edward A. Shills
gave a similar definition: “A person may be said to have power to the
extent that he influences the behaviour of others in accordance with his
own intentions…” Power is a relational concept. In this case, we can
say that one nation has power over another at the international level; at
the domestic level if Senator A has more control in a committee in the
senate, then it has power over its other members.
Power is the ability or capacity to modify the behaviour of a person

either at the threat of deprivation or sanction for non-conformist for the
policy intended. Dahl succinctly illustrates what power is based on, the
old philosophical argument that an act cannot be morally good unless it
goes against our inclinations or appetites. The point is that if B does
something that A wants him to do, but B does not feel the action is in
opposition to its interests, then A does not have power over B.
Generally, it is difficult to apply this analysis to all situations, because

without the knowledge of the intentions of the political actors, then it
might lead one to overlook manipulation, propaganda, and forms of
sublimated aggression as influences. In international politics, a nation
may claim that its actions are in accordance with the politics of another
nation, are of its own free will, while they may really be the result of one
of these less over forms of power.
It is emphasized that in our discussions of the elements of national

power, including population, national resources, and military strength; it
is not unusual to discover that military strength is power in international
politics or that wealth is power in domestic politics. In the light of this,
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
it becomes clear that the assumption that the elements are significant
because they allow a nation or a politician to control or influence others.
In as much as one agree that power is not, the military strength; nor is it
wealth. The contention is that a nation with great military strength is
powerful because it has been discovered that influence and the ability to
control are related to the possession of arms and soldiers.
It seems reasonable to develop a sound concept of power by adopting a

behavouralistic approach to the study of political power. First, it is often
assumed, that power involves control or influence, and that it is an
activity. The possession of armed forces by nation A does not
necessarily imply that they will be used to control or influence nation B.
Although it is not in all cases that this situation can arise. At times the
intentions or will of A may be different. To this extent a number of
factors are necessary if power is to exist. These include the proper basis
of power and the ability to use them (the lack of restraint upon them),
which is all altogether might be labeled capability. Second, the
powerful actor must have the will or desire to control the actions of
others, or so it would seem.
Another situation that might cause us to question the claim that power
can only exist if it is exercised is to imagine two contiguous nations, one
with a large but inactive army, the other with no army at all. The
existence of a nation’s A army may influence the behavior of nation B,
even though it is never used. This is similar to the situation in domestic
politics where the presidential veto power can have influence on the
National Assembly, even though it is not employed or even mentioned.
This brings to a clear picture of what can be termed behavioural power
and potential power. It might be said that the possession of military
forces by a nation and the right to veto to an executive are acts of power.
Possession in these instances is behavioural. As Carl Friedrich
described this situation as “rule of anticipated reactions”. It presupposes
that often times a political actor will adjust its behaviour in light of what
he thinks another might do (Friedrich 1963). It does not necessarily
mean that mere possession is always power behaviour. It is necessary at
this point to distinguish this type of situation from one where a nation
has a substantial military force but demonstrates no desire or will to use
it. We might therefore say that its force is not credible and has no
influence on the behaviour of other nations. In this case, possession
does not lead to power.
There is a causal connection in relationship with the acts be performed

by both the influence and the influenced, and some contact or
communication between them. Consequently, there is a direct
correlation between the power of a nation and its contacts with other
nations. In Isaak’s summation, “any acts of other states in accordance
55
with nation A’s interests that cannot be traced to an act of A cannot be

called manifestations of A’s power”.
In examining the acts of politicians or nations, it boils down to two basic

issues whether power is a symmetrical or symmetrical relation. David
Hume argued that all relations must be symmetrical; that is, all actions
have reactions and thus, there can be no one-way causal connections.
Thus, it must be recognized that many power actions generate feed-
back. If nation A influences the behaviour of nation B, there is good
chance that B will also influence A.
The conclusion therefore is that both capability and will are necessary
ingredients of power situations, except in those cases when possession
alone leads to influence and even in the latter case, credibility must be
ascertainable.
It is instructive at this juncture to avert our minds to the fact that power
is immeasurable. The mere understanding of the elements or bases of
power do not provide the unit of measurement. Quincy Wright rightly
observes that: “it is difficult to find any common measure by which one
of these forms for exerting political and social power can be equated
with others as is true of the physical concept of power measured in
horsepower or watts”. The solution lies in the use of the activity of
political actors as the basis of a common measure. Thus, the
behavioural consequences of wealth and prestige could be compared
using the case of a man with a net worth of $10 million and one with a
prestigious family background. But it is difficult to compare a nation’s
military force with another’s strategic position.
3.2 Types of Power
Force: is the only one that involves physical activity, signifying an

employment of visible resources.
Domination: is an inexact term, occurs when an actor makes explicit to

others what he wants them to do. It can be seen that force and
domination will usually occur together, with the former being used to
back up the latter.
Manipulation: is the attempt to influence behaviour without making

explicit what the desired behaviour is. This calls for various actions that
are much less easy to find and observe.
Distinction between power and others forms of political

control-authority, manipulation, and influence. Power is based on
the threat of severe sanctions; sanctions include such things as force,
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
economic boycotts, and support with or withdrawal of votes. While

power often depends upon the threat of force, the two are not the same.
When force is applied, power is no longer being exercised. A political
leader has authority when others do his bidding because they accept his
right to rule – he is, considered legitimate and does not need to employ
power. One is manipulated when his behaviour is controlled without his
knowledge through such a technique as propaganda. Influence identifies
a situation where one person affects the behavior of another because the
second respects the first; consider the case of a son whose respect for his
father causes him to emulate his father.
3.3 Power in International Relations
The assessment of power capabilities in international relations is

fundamentally valuable as it would enable us to understand how it is
wielded at that level of politics. Okwudibia Nnoli asserts that many
attempts to exert power have foundered on the rocks of an incorrect
assessment of the necessary capability. There are various elements that
are used for the assessment of state power. These are grouped into two
broad general types: the tangible resources and intangible resources.
The tangible resources are quantifiable or can be assessed in concrete
terms, while intangible resources are not quantifiable or made very
concrete. In other words, they are essentially qualitative in character.
The tangible resources include the following:

Geography - this makes reference to those facilities that accrue to a
nation by virtue of its geographical location and characteristics.
Landlocked states usually suffer severe limitations on their ability to
wield power, while very mountainous territory is difficult to conquer
and therefore, affects the power of the relevant states.
Territorial - this determines to a large extent the possibility of foreign

military occupation; and the possibility of the penetration of state power
to all sections of the population. In this sense, the bigger or larger a
nation’s territory the more powerful it would be in a situation of foreign
invasion, but the less powerful it would be controlling all its population.
National Resources - the natural resource endowment determine the

limits of a nation’s power capability. The greater the natural resources
at the disposal of a state, the greater its power capacity. This will make
others to depend on it and may, therefore, be vulnerable to its influence.
Alternatively, it may transform these resources into more potent
instruments of force such as weapons of war.
57
Economic Strength - state power is related to a state’s economic

viability. The level of industrialization is a clear indicator of economic
viability. Therefore, those factors which contribute to industrialization
are usually used for assessing economic strength such as per-capita
income, technological advancement, etc. A highly industralised nation
has the potential for military capability. This explains why countries of
the Europe (Western and Central Europe) North America and Asia
(Japan, China) are potential world powers.
Military Might - the exercise of state power is the use of armed forces
of the state as instrument of international politics. The strength of a
state’s armed forces is the most critical element in the power equation.
The bigger and better the size of these forces the greater the power
capability. Hence, a common way of assessing state power is to
calculate the size of its army, navy and air force. However, the size of
the armed forces is not enough indication of state power, the quality of
the weapons is also important. The more sophisticated the equipment,
the stronger the army and in most cases, it compensate for the size of the
state like Israel with sophisticated equipment but very small in size.
Population - the larger the population of a state the greater its

capability for state power. It is this fact that explains the importance and
status of China in the world. Although, under severe condition of mass
poverty, population becomes a constraint on state power.
Intangible resources are also important in determining national power.

They include:
1. The quality of national leadership and government or a ruling

class that is riddled with corruption, selfishness, nepotism and
indiscipline will be unable to harness the resources to the
purposes of state power.
2. The will to commit resources to the achievement of national
goals – a government which is more willing to use force to
achieve objectives will exert more power than one which is
unwilling to do so.
3. The morale, discipline, competence and overall quantity of the
armed forces – it is argued that a large army with modern
weapons that lacks competence, discipline, and morale will be
largely ineffective.
4. The alliance potential of a state – the ability to unite one’s power
capabilities with those of another state is a great asset to state
power.
The level of political consciousness amongst the citizens – the more

politically conscious a society the easier it is for the state to mobilize
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
resources. A state that the citizens are apathetic finds it difficult to

effective in power relation in which to other states. For this reason
power is affected by those factors which affect social relations generally,
such as interests, resources, perception, expectations, response,
irrationality, personality factors, etc.
3.4 Critical Issues of Power

a. Can Power be measured?
At times it becomes a controversial issue to talk about how powerful a

nation is. A statement such as “The United States has more power than
England” raises a question. An actor’s total power may be measured by
the ratio of its successful power acts. Often times, the most probably
proposition is that A is more powerful than B.
Robert Dahl’s conceptualization of influence and power relate with the

ability to use power as action based but does not exist unless it is used.
In other words, the elements of power would have no significance if
politicians and nations did not act.
b. What are the Dimensions of Power?
Power is that non-divisible unit of energy, which is capable of causing a

change in the actions of its victims in spite of the victim’s opposition to
the change. The dimensions of power constitute its essential
characteristics.
(i) Power has a good dimension when it is exerted with a view to the
attainment of an objective and, therefore, exists when an
objective has been achieved;
(ii) It has a relational dimension. In other words, it is a social
phenomenon rather than a legal one. There must be at least two
individuals for power to occur. The one who exerts power is the
subject of power, and the one over whom it is exerted is the
victim of power. For instance, the Federal Government use the
army to stop violence in Odi in Bayelsa State, air force bombing
in the Niger-Delta area following the abduction of foreign oil
expatriates. Usually, violence is applied only when other methods
of exercising power have failed and the goal of power is so high
that the subject does not mind the negative consequences of the
use of violence. Like the situation in apartheid South Africa, the
Africans can only change their intolerable situation through
violence.
(iii) Power has an Influence Dimension: By this we meant that
power can induce a particular behaviour. Influence is that quality
of power which has to do with the causation of a certain form of
59
behaviour by the subject on the victim. A influences B by

causing him to change his actions in some ways.
(iv) Power has a Situational Dimension: This means that power
varies from situation to situation depending on the specific
features of each, situation. For instance, power will vary
depending on whether there are three people or two, whether the
victim resists the subject of power or not, and whether the
resistance is intense or not. The struggle for political power
varies with the number of political parties seeking to form the
government, the size of the followers of the political parties, and
whether the parties are revolutionary or reformist.
(v) Power has a Relative Dimension: This explains or depends
whether or not a subject is able to wield power over a victim
depends on the relative strengths of the subject and the victim in
that specific situation. As their relative strengths change, the
power equation between them also changes. It is this relativity
dimension of power that is responsible for changes in the status
of states in the international community.
(vi) Power has an Instrumental Dimension: Power is not an end in
itself although some have argued about the tendency for power to
assume a dynamic of its own separate and different from the goal
which it is meant to achieve. Power in this case is an instrument
for achieving specific goals. Thus, dimension of power is that
power as a means to some ends must be governed by those ends.
(viii) Power as a need dimensions: The greater the need of one state,
group or individual, the more likely it is that power will be
exerted upon it by those on whom it depends for the satisfaction
of the needs.
(ix) Power as a responsiveness dimension: Power operates most
effectively where there is low possibility of resistance by the
victim. Thus, where a victim can resist the effort of the subject to
wield power over him, it becomes more difficult for power effort
to succeed, and consequently the character of power in that
situation is affected.
(x) Power as a capability dimension: This dimension refers to the
availability of certain resource capacities for the exertion of
power. Often power is equated exclusively with this capacity.
This is a mistake because a subject may have overwhelming
capacity and still be unable to exert power. A good example is
the defeat of the Unites States, a superpower, by North Vietnam,
a very minor power in the 1960s.
Define Power and explain how it works in International Relations
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
What are the various dimensions of power?

c) How is power Exercised?
There are different ways in which power can be exercised at both

domestic and international politics.
(1) Persuasion – the subject initiates or discusses a proposal with a

victim with a view to convincing him of the rightness,
correctness, or usefulness of his viewpoint. Persuasion has an
element of influence, this means that the wielding of power is
necessarily against the wishes of others or that the response of the
victim must be either favourable or opposed to the subject’s
goals. The victim’s mind may not have been made up in the first
place and many have needed the initiative and prodding of the
subject.
(2) The Offer of Rewards – the subject promises to reward the

victim if the latter agrees with his request. Such rewards may be
of almost any type in domestic and international politics. They
may vary from cash reward, support in voting situations, promise
for a political appointment, or a contract, or promise to remove a
previous sanction.
(3) The Granting of Rewards – the victim may insist that the
reward be actually granted before he can comply with the wishes
of the subject.
(4) The Threat of Punishment – the subject threatens to inflict

some harm on the victim unless the latter behaves in accordance
with his wishes. It could be threats of imprisonment, of sabotage,
of withdrawal of funds, boycott of activities or even the use of
force.
(5) The Infliction of Non-Violent Punishment - the subject actually

carries out the threats, which do not involve the use of violent
force or economic blockade.
(6) Command from a Person in Authority – the next unit will

discuss extensively on authority. The commands issued by those
in positions of authority lower in the hierarchy of authority in
which that position exists. Thus, for example, the president can
issue commands to those ministers and expect that they will
implement these commands. This means that one way to exercise
influence is to struggle to get into an authority position from
61
where one come issue commands. This forms the basis for the
struggle for political office.
(7) The use of Force – the subject applies violence against the
victim, a state attacks another militarily. The President elicits
support for the application of state power and also to organize
and harness the resources necessary to wield state power.
3.5 The Utility of State Power
Power is very useful at both the domestic and in international politics.

Although, we know that power is very useful in all social situations -
such as the family, the classroom, etc. Power in politics, which is our
major concern, is about state power. Politics is all about exercise,
control and use of power. The state power is the most formidable and
useful power. This explains why most wealthy people are never satisfied
until they can control political power. State power is a very useful
instrument to have and control. The desire to control, distribute and
direct social, economic and cultural lives of the people testifys to the
usefulness of state power. That is why people jostle, scheme and
sometimes kill in an attempt to capture state power. One cannot
maintain ultimate control without state power. State power is the basis
of all security, all rights and privileges in a society, and the maintenance
of any mode of livelihood.
In international relations the usefulness of state power is clearly

demonstrated. This arises from the following:
(1) Sovereignty of States bestows to them unstrained units of power.

Power is seen as an end itself and not a means to an end. This is
because each state pursues its own security thereby creating
insecurity.
(2) The absence of international legal code or norms to regulate the

behaviour of state in the use of state power leads to a vicious
circle situation, since state can wield their power without serious
thought to the negative consequences of their actions.
(3) It is also reinforced by the weakness of world public opinion,

which does not sufficiently restrain the state power as an
instrument of policy.
(4) The nature of the international system, which is based on the

survival of the fittest, makes states to struggle in an attempt to get
a fair share of the world’s resources. It is further reinforced by the
conflict of ideologies during the hey days of Communism versus
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
Capitalism. This situation at that time reduced the possibility of

evolving understanding on major international issues.
3.6 Authority
Authority may be defined as that power associated with a hierarchy of

human relationships, which enables those higher up in the hierarchy to
command those lower in the hierarchy, and which compels those lower
in the hierarchy to obey the commands of those higher up. Authority is
predicated upon consent and not entirely by the use of force. Alan Ball
defines Political Authority as the recognition of the right to rule
irrespective of the sanctions the ruler may possess. Authority is the
ability to compel obedience without necessarily the use of force. At
times the exercise of authority could be based on justice. Obedience
comes from justice or a combination of justice and force. On the
contrary, disobedience may be as a result of what may be considered to
be unjust. Authority is the legitimate use of power. It is simply put as
the power in the garment of legitimacy – that is, power clothed with
legitimacy. This authority is power with legitimacy. It is the power
based on consent, voluntary – obedience, and persuasion. Nnoli has
argued that it is incorrect to define authority as the right to issue
commands and be obeyed. Authority is the power which is vested in a
person because of his role and his office within the organization. The
basis of the authority relationship lies in the fact that it is legitimate.
The subordinate believes that the superior has the right to give such
orders. Authority relationship may also be legitimized by certain
traditions and customs which allow a person the right to issue
authoritative decisions. In this case, the authority relationship may be a
product of some body of rules such as the constitution of a country
which allocates to the various arms of government certain
responsibilities.
There are basic characteristic elements of the relationship of power

which defines authority in structure. There are definite roles,
responsibilities, privileges and resources which are allocated to those in
that relationship. The structure is made up of a number of offices
arranged in order of super-ordination and subordination which
individuals occupy. The structure of power which characterizes
authority is organized in the form of a pyramid of offices with the most
powerful office at the apex of the pyramid and the least powerful offices
at the base. The higher up the pyramid, the greater the power.
Political authority is that authority whose power derives from state

power. Although, not all authority is political. Authority exists in all
human organization be it the family, the church, School, etc. In politics,
state power is organized as a system of authorities extending from the
63
national level, through the regional level to the local level. Thus, in
Nigeria, we have Federal, State and Local Government Authorities.
The constitution in modern government is the main source of state

power. The constitution as the fundamental principles establishes what
number of these authorities there should be, what the power relationship
among them should be, how they are to be arranged hierarchically, what
functions of these authorities are, and how conflict among and within
them are to be resolved. Thus, it is the constitution that gives structure
and permanence to state power.
3.7 Types of Political Authority
Authority essentially can be legitimate or illegitimate. A legitimate

authority is that which operates through the prong of justice, and
illegitimate authority is power that operates through force, or the threat
of it. Nnoli argues that authority is often partly illegitimate: “it can rely
on force and partly on justice”. However, Max Weber, a German
sociologist provides three main typology of authority. These are: the
traditional authority, the legal- rational authority and the charismatic
authority.
Traditional Authority – is that hierarchical structure of power whose

major claim for existence is that it has come down to the present from
the past and, therefore, conforms to the customs and traditions of the
people. In other words, the exercise of power is based on a form of rule
or custom and tradition which has been in existence for a long time.
Such body of rules and customs confer on persons or institutions or
families preferences to rule others. Their people repose faith in them
because they believe that these authorities possess the prerogative to
issue authoritative orders since their customs and tradition, belief system
and superstition say so. For instance, the traditional African societies
typified this type of authority. A ruler is obeyed because of the belief
that such a ruler was chosen by divine authority and that obedience to
the ruler is obedience to God or Allah.
Legal - Rational Authority – this is most commonly found today. It is
based on the law, the fundamental law of the land or what is commonly
called the constitution. In other words, exercise of authority derives its
legitimacy from certain body of rules; in this case, persons or offices
exercise authority as legitimized by the constitution, statutes, decrees or
edicts. It could also be the official position individuals occupy. The
individual takes decisions and issue orders without questions. Thus, a
policeman at the check point who requests for a vehicle owner to present
his particulars, is merely exercising legal authority, because he has the
backing of law.
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
Charismatic Authority – this follows from the personal charisma of a

political leader. Charisma is that quality which is so over-whelming in
the positive emotion which it evokes that its possess or receives
unquestioning and total loyalty. A charismatic leader possesses extra-
ordinary qualities which make such leader to influence his followers.
The power of command may be exercised by a leader based on his
certain attributes such as magical powers, revelations heroism, personal
achievements or other extraordinary gifts endowed by nature. In the
world history, some charismatic leaders are known such as Hitler of
Germany, Mussolini of Italy, Gandhi Nehru of India, Churchill of
Britain, Nkrumah of Ghana, Azikiwe and Awolowo of Nigeria, Mandela
of South Africa, and so on.
However, these sources of authority are not necessarily exclusive. They

could be in various combinations or co-exist in specific political
communities.
3.8 Differences between Power and Authority

Although, authority is related to the concept of power, it can be clearly
distinguished from it. The exercise of power is based on the possession
of means of coercion and, or sanctions by the incumbent who exercises
power. The exercise of authority is based on power attached to the
office of the incumbent that exercises the power.
Obedience to an order in a power relation is based on fear of sanctions.

The power may not be legitimate e.g. the power of an armed robber.
Obedience to an order in an authority relation derives from legitimacy of
the order on the grounds of existing rules or customs or inherent
qualities of he who commands it. Authority is thus legitimate power.
Since the exercise of power often results in the use of force, resistance to
this power and coercion by citizens are met with force. Confronted with
an authority relation, it is the duty of citizens to obey. When the citizens
oppose an exercise of power that power lacks authority. Confronted with
power, the citizens have a choice to support or to oppose; but with
authority they have the duty to obey. In other words, resistance to power
is lawful whereas resistance to authority is unlawful.
The continued reliance on sheer force as a means of securing obedience

in a power relation signals legitimacy crisis in a political system.
Whereas in the authority relation the recourse to sanctions as in the
application of force to secure obedience is accepted by citizens as
legitimate as does not pose any threat to stability of the political system.
65
Explain the major features of authority
4.0 CONCLUSION
Power is the sole centralizing and organizing concept in the study of
politics. Political activities revolve essentially around this concept.
Authority is the legitimate use of power. It is simply the garment of
legitimacy, power clothed with legitimacy.
5.0 SUMMARY
In this Unit we have examined the concepts of power and authority. We
recognized the fact that scholars have divergent opinions of these
concepts. We have carefully delineated the basic elements that
constitute power relationships, influence and authority. Power is
generally thought to involve the bringing about of an action against the
will of another. It involves the use of sanctions. Power derives from
established authority that allocates the right to command and the duty to
obey. Authority on the other hand, is power clothed with legitimacy. It
is an authentic form of power, which is based on consent, voluntary
obedience and persuasion.
We have been able to distinctively show the differences between power

and authority. It has become clearer to us how power is used at the
domestic politics and at the international levels. At the international
level, we have identified the basic indices of measuring power of a
nation.

i. Conceptualise power and Authority, and show the distinction
between the two.
ii. What are the factors that determine the legitimacy of a
government?
iii. Critically analyse the basic elements of national power in
international relations.
Anifowose, R. and Francis Enemuo (1999). Elements of Politics. Lagos:

Malthouse Press Ltd.
Isaak, A. C. (1985). Scope and Methods of Political Science. U.S.A: The

Dorsey Press.
66
PAD 204 MODULE 2
Nnoli, O. (1986). Introduction to Political Politics. Lagos: Longman

Nigeria Ltd.
Ologbenla, D. (1996). Introduction to Political Science. Lagos: Olucity

Press Ltd.
67
UNIT 3 LEGITIMACY AND INFLUENCE
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Legitimacy
3.2 Legitimacy as a Factor of Stability of Government
3.3 Influence and Power
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the previous Unit, we were introduced to the basic and twin

interrelated concepts in political science, power and authority. In this
Unit, we shall conclude with the concepts of Legitimacy and Influence.
These concepts are subjected to a plethora of interpretations and certain
misinterpretation and abuses, especially, for non-political scientists.
Care should therefore be taken in delineating these concepts and those of
Power and Authority.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• to expose you to the basic concepts of legitimacy and influence in

political science
• to help you to understand how legitimacy is the hallmark of
stability for any government.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Legitimacy
Legitimacy refers to the extent to which citizens regard the state, its
institutions, personnel or policies as morally right or acceptable. In
other word, legitimacy is a belief in the right to rule. It is the popular
acceptance or support given to a government irrespective of the method
of coming to power. It refers to the positive attitude of the citizens
toward authority positions and those who occupy them. But there has to
be a form of agreement about what is legitimate or who exercises
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
authority. So long as there is agreement about what is legitimate, politics

and government can function smoothly. It therefore, means that where
legitimacy is lost, agreements break down or are reduced to matters of
expediency that can be broken when it is convenient. The consequences
may be tyranny, revolution, secession, or some other form of break-up.
Legitimacy is the promise that the pursuit of one value will proof
compatible with the pursuit or enjoyment of other values. We say that
the pursuit of a value is legitimate if we have reason to expect that it will
not inflict intolerable damage upon any other value which is also vitally
important to us. For instance, it is legitimate to make money provided
that this pursuit does not involve a great moral wrong or a serious loss of
respect in our community or impair severely on our health.
Legitimacy is a relative concept. It is premised on the visible

configuration to any political actor of his own set of values. It is a
relationship among values within a situation that makes them compatible
or puts them into conflict. Legitimacy may change with time and its
place may also vary among groups and different views of legitimacy
may lead to conflict among groups or may intensify existing conflicts. It
is the vehicle for authority to be accepted by people which enables
authority also to act with minimum costs; it cannot be forced out of the
people. It must be given voluntarily by them because it has to do with
emotions, feelings, and a sense of justice, which are not amenable to
force.
Legitimacy can be sustained if it is based on justice. Whoever exercises

authority must constantly justify its existence to the people. If it fails to
convince the people about its adherence to justice it may lose its
legitimacy. This is why leaders often justify their right to rule.
Immediately after a coup d’etat, the coup leaders must show how the
previous regimes had violated tenets of justice thereby promising to be a
new vanguard for moral crusaders who should be accorded legitimacy.
This is because legitimacy deals with whether or not the citizens accept
the moral right of those in political authority to rule them. Only the
citizens can grant legitimacy to the rulers. The holder of political
authority must plead with the people through conformity with their
cherished principles of justice, satisfaction of their basic material and
psychological needs, an provision of adequate security for them, etc.
The stability of a political system depends on if the needs; its structure,

beliefs, leaders and policies are acceptable to the people or at least the
most powerful influence in the society. When the acceptance of any of
these structures or objects is lacking, a declining sense of legitimacy
creeps in, the regime relies on force, repression is increased and trouble
brews; a new regime either comes in or the old one manage to
69
re-establish legitimate rule. For example, open demand for secession

reflects a declining sense of legitimacy of the state as perceived by the
secessionists.
Legitimacy of a regime is not by election as some have argued. A

democratically elected government may loose its legitimacy when such
government adopts policies that are ‘anti-people’. Some unpopular
governments have existed in different parts of the world without being
toppled. They have simply relied on force to maintain their rule. And
there are cases when elected and seemingly legitimate governments have
been toppled. Nevertheless, the degree of legitimacy enjoyed by a
government or authority is a barometer of its stability.
The people can accord or withdraw legitimacy of a ruler depending on

their assessment of how just his rule has been or what policies he ought
to be pursuing. Thus, a stable regime may decline into instability.
What do you understand by Legitimacy?
3.2 Legitimacy as a Factor of Stability of Government
The concept of stability is useful in assessing the legitimacy of a regime.

Regimes are said to be legitimate to the extent that their citizens regard
them as proper and deserving support. The political stability of any
given government depends a great deal upon the legitimacy factor.
Legitimacy is a sine-qua –non for a stable political regime; if this is
lacking the citizens may react negatively against such a regime. People
are less likely to oppose their leaders if there is high regard for, or trust
in the government, its institutions and policies.
Crisis of legitimacy may arise when the expectations, yearnings and

aspirations of the people are unfulfilled by the political regime. Election
represents one popularly accepted way of deciding who should rule.
They are ways of effecting peaceful changes of government, as opposed
to the use of force, either by a general uprising of an aggrieved
electorate or by a military coup d’etat. Since elections confer legitimacy
on the government, where a government rigs the elections, intense
frustration will be created among the losers. When elections are not free
and fair, the resultant government lacks legitimacy and this creates
situations of political instability.
Legitimacy is useful to those in authority. It does not only prevent

reckless spending or mismanagement of scarce resources, it makes it
easier for the government in power to tap the energies of its population
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
and mobilize its material resources to accomplish its objectives.

Besides, it discourages the use of force to regulate the society.
Legitimacy is fundamental to the maintenance of political order in
society. Without it, political leaders constantly rely on force to maintain
themselves in power, which alone may not be enough to preserve the
stability of the political system.
How Legitimacy does affect the stability of a government?
3.3 Influence and Power
At times, it is difficult to conceptualize influence because it has the same

relational attribute as power. They differ, however, in the sense that the
exercise of power depends upon potential use of sanctions, while
influence depends largely on persuasion. Influence is a form of
communication intended by A to affect the action of B in the absence of
sanctions. For example, a father may warn his son:
i. “If you marry that girl, I will exclude you from my will” or
ii. “If you marry that girl, you will be miserable for the rest of
your life”
The first statement depicts the use of power, while the, latter depicts
influence. Influence has to do with the value position and potential of a
person or a group of persons. The exercise of influence may rest on
well-being, the physical strength, wealth, affection, enlightenment, i.e.
education, respect, etc. Influence therefore, depends on values, while
power depends on sanctions. It is the threat of sanctions which
differentiate power from influence. For example, “A” has influence
over “B” within a given scope to the extent that “A” without resulting to
the use of threat or of severe deprivations causes “B” to change his
course of action.
We can speak of two types on influence.

a) Coercive Influence – this is based on threat, expectation of great
severe physical punishment, torture, imprisonment and even
death. Thus, according to Locke, political power is the right of
making laws with penalties of death and other penalties.
b) Reliable Influence – This is an influence in which the

probability of compliance is very high. It is authentic forms of
influence, that is, legitimate influence,
71
Influence can further be sub divided into manifest and potential.

Manifest influence is the power plus influence. “A” can exercise
manifest influence over ‘B’ to the extent that ‘A’s action causes a
change in “B”s behaviour. Potential influence is a form of implicit
influence, which Carl Friedrich described on his “rule of anticipated
reaction”. This is a situation in which ‘A’ modifies his influence over
‘B’ because of what he thinks will be the reaction of ‘B’. In other
words, it proposes that often a political actor will adjust its behaviour in
light of what it thinks another might do.
Differentiate between the two types of Influence.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Though the concepts of legitimacy and influence are easily confused,

especially by non-political scientists, these concepts are analytically
distinct. The stability of a political system depends on how people
perceive the system to be legitimate. Regimes are said to be legitimate to
the extent that their citizens regard them as proper and deserving
support. The political stability of any given government therefore
depends a great deal upon the legitimacy factor. Influence on the other
hand is a form of communication intended by A to affect the action of B
in the absence of sanctions. Influence therefore, depends on values as
distinct as power which we argued in the preceding Unit as depending
on sanctions. It is the threat of sanctions which differentiate power from
influence.
5.0 SUMMARY
In this Unit we have examined the concepts of Legitimacy and

Influence. The former we have argued is responsible for the stability of
any political system while the latter is concerned with issues of values
which are also important in the stability of a political system.
i. What are the factors that determine the legitimacy of a

government?
ii. Conceptualize Legitimacy and Influence and show the distinction
between the two.
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
Anifowose, R. and Francis, Enemuo (1999). Elements of Politics. Lagos:

Malthouse Press Ltd.
Isaak, A. C. (1985). Scope and Methods of Political Science. U.S.A: The

Dorsey Press.
Nnoli, O. (1986). Introduction to Political Politics. Lagos: Longman

Nigeria Ltd.
Ologbenla, D. (1996). Introduction to Political Science. Lagos: Olucity

Press Ltd.
73
UNIT 4 POLITICAL IDEAS AND MOVEMENTS
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 What is Ideology?
3.2 Characteristic of Ideology
3.3 Functions of Ideology
3.4 Liberalism
3.5 Democracy
3.6 Liberal Democracy
3.7 Capitalism
3.8 Socialism
3.9 Doctorial Ideologies
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Ideology is a very crucial aspect of politics. It is a gateway to the

understanding of political action and indeed, interpenetration of politics.
In this respect, it guides, supports, restrains and rationalizes political
action. According to Okwudiba Nnoli, it can act as a great mobilizing
energy to galvanize mass political action. Ideology is a very pervasive
aspect of politics: it antedated it, is enmeshed in it, envelops it and
conditions it.
The ideology at a time was used to designate the study of ideas towards
the end of the eighteenth century in France. In the mid nineteenth
century, Marx and Engels in their work The German Ideology, described
the young Hegelians as ideologists of the bourgeois system for holding
tenaciously to Hegelian philosophy.
This unit will explore the various ideologies, examining their basic
principles and characteristics. The major ideologies and movements
known in political history are examined in different section. At the end
of the units, self-assessment questions are provided to test you
preparedness and understanding of the topics taught.
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PAD 204 MODULE 2
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• examine the various political ideologies and movements that

were prevalent in the Western political history
• understand how these political ideologies and movements have
contributed to the current state of political science and indeed
other social sciences
• provide the basic characteristics of the political ideologies
• evaluate your grasp of the topics through the sample questions
provided at the end of the unit.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 What is Ideology?
Ideology is a systematizsed and interconnected set of ideas that direct

and guide the action of political leaders. It is the fundamental principle
or philosophy of government by which the socio-economic and political
organisation of society revolves. It contains ideals, ends and purposes
that the society should pursue. Ideology as a philosophy explains the
nature of man’s humanity, an economic programme which suggests the
appropriate political structure for the pursuit through the relevant
economic programme of the ideals of humanity. Ideology can be
distinguished from other forms of political thought such as political
philosophy, political theory, etc
3.2 Characteristics of Ideology
a) Most ideologies tend to arise in conditions of crisis. They are

either designed to help those who are subjugated in a society or
help the oppressor to justify their privileges.
b) The varying scope of an ideology can also be seen from the range
of facts or phenomena which a given ideology seeks to
incorporate.
c) Ideology is a systematic pattern of political thought. Just, like a

theory, ideology is an abstraction from reality embodying only
the most essential elements of the reality it seeks to describe/
explain and change.
d) Each ideology includes both empirical and normative elements.

The empirical elements consist mostly of the features of reality,
social, political or economic, which are more or less observable,
75
while the normative element in an ideology consists of all those

features of reality which even though not observable are
considered desirable.
i) Most ideologies tend to be exclusive, absolute and universal in

character. Each ideological system is usually characterized by a
claim of exclusive relevance to the problems of a given age and
time. All ideologies also share the main feature they claim
universality for the aims and objectives which they seek to attain.
For example, the capitalists believe that it is a universal system,
and the socialists attempt also to universalize the system.
j) Ideology is a persuasive argument designed to motivate active

involvement on the part of its adherents.
k) Ideology tends to be personalized, scriptualised and

programmatic. That is, it can be turned into religious beliefs.
l) Ideology undergoes development but is resistant to fundamental

change in its world view.
3.3 Functions of Ideology
In view of the nature and importance of ideology for society generally, it

follows that ideology performs very useful functions in the organization
of modern society. These functions include:
1) Legitimisation of Leadership: This implies that those who occupy

political authority often justify their positions and actions on the
basis of certain principles. By so doing, ideology provides
government with legitimacy and helps it obtain compliance from
the people.
2) A cognitive structure for looking at the society generally. By so

doing a given ideology enables members of a society to explain,
justify and order several existential conditions which would
otherwise prove impossible to master or explain. Thus, in the
hands of the ruling class it can be and often is a potent instrument
for the consolidation of state power.
3) Ideology provides a prescriptive formula, a guide to individual

action and judgment. This has to do with the legitimation of the
acts of those in positions of power, for it is only when the
exercise of power is seen as to conform to certain ideological
norms and values that the power of force can be transformed into
authority, power based on the felt need to comply without force.
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4) Ideology also serves as an instrument for conflict management

and the integration of society since it limits the basic value and
issue areas over which the members of society can disagree.
Ideology has been found to be potent tool in the process of
consolidating state power. It provides the basis for addressing
issues as they affect the society instead of personalizing them.
5) Ideology provides individual or groups a means of self-

identification. This helps to satisfy specific personal needs, a
means for self-evaluation and social solidarity.
6) Guide to policy choice and assessment of conduct. It provides the

framework for making policy choices by the government and the
parameters for assessing the conduct of officials and the
performance of government.
7) Dynamic force in life, that is every ideology provides an

explanation of reality to its adherents and seeks to motivate them
to action.
Define Ideology and explain its major characteristics.
3.4 Liberalism
Liberal component of liberal democracy is derived from the liberalism,

which is pre-democratic political ideology that asserts that there should
be as much individual freedom in modern State as is compatible with the
freedom of others. Liberalism is an individualist creed, which developed
in the 17th and 18th century mainly as a reaction against unrestricted
absolute monarchs in Europe.
The development of capitalism and Western democracy arises from the

doctrine of liberalism. Liberalism was an ideology or doctrine which
became pervasive among the European potentates or bourgeoisie (the
middle class businessman, intellectual professionals, etc.). The ideology
arose as a movement against monarchical absolutism and the church in
Europe during the late eighteenth century. The underlying principles of
classical liberalism include:
i) a recognition of the rights of individuals to opportunities to

demonstrate their innate potentials;
ii) an insistence that political power should be in the hands of those
who own property and those who have demonstrated ingenuity
and the capacity to lead;
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iii) the conception of the duty of government to be restricted to the

protection of the individual and his rights to own property;
iv) a recognition of the right of individuals to equal economic and
political participation.
Classical liberalism was an ideology that tends to justify the total control
of society by the middle class. The Industrial Revolution in Europe and
the rise of ‘laissez-faire’ economic doctrine brought fundamental
changes and the revision of some classical tenets of liberalism.
Although, it still extols individuals liberty and insists that it be the
individual rather than the State or any collectivity that is of primary
importance.
3.5 Democracy
Democracy does not have a universally acceptable definition. Different

scholars attempted to give their own interpretation. Abraham Lincoln is
famous definition of democracy “as the government of the people, by
the people and for the people” remains most valid up till date. This
explains why modern democracy is a representative democracy, which
marked significantly from the classical democracy of Athenian type. In
Ancient Athens, democracy was characterized by the following: first,
supreme power was vested on the “ekklesis” which is the assembly of
all male citizens at which each was entitled to participate by discussing
and voting this may be called ‘direct democracy’.
In an attempt to describe democracy, five basic elements are discernible:

These are equality, sovereignty of the people, respect for human life, the
individual. It is simply equal right and opportunity of all citizens to hold
political office.
Democracy has certain principles which have universal application.

First, the principle popular consultation, that in a democracy decisions
are taken after the citizens have been widely consulted. Second, political
sovereignty, this implies that in a democracy power belongs to the
people (electorate). Third, political equality. Democratic equality as one
of the basic tenets implies one man one vote, irrespective of social
status, wealth, religion, etc. Fourth, majority rule and minority rights
this implies that, the majority will always have their ways while the
minority opinion must be respected. Fifth, fundamental human right
which includes the right to life, liberty and property. Sixth, independent
of the judiciary that the judiciary must be independent in order to play
its role as an arbiter. Seventh, it opposes arbitrary rule by the leaders
Eight, the obedience of the rule of law.
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There are contending views of democracy among scholars. Some see it

as some kind of power in which citizens are directly engaged in “self-
government and self regulation” or as a means of conferring authority on
those periodically voted into office. According to Held, this
disagreement has given rise to three basic variants or models of
democracy. These are first, the direct or participatory democracy in
which citizens are involved, as in ancient Greek City States. The second
model, is the liberal or representative democracy, in which the citizens
elect their representatives to represent them and make decision on their
behalf and rule them within the framework of “rule of law”. The third
model of democracy is the “Marxist tradition”. This is popularly referred
to as people’s democracy”. The Marxian thought of democracy is that it
seeks to explain how equality of all citizens from the political, economic
and social life is to be guaranteed in the society.
Marxists and neo-Marxist insist on how the means of production and

distribution will be based on equality; in other words, to allow equality
in the ownership of the means of production through the nationalization
of major enterprises. While equality in the social life can be achieved
through the institutionalization of rights to education, medical care,
insurance, employment, etc. The collapse of Soviet Communist bloc in
Eastern Europe has raised some questions as to the applicability and
validity of the Marxist model of democracy as alternative model for
liberal democracy.
Larry Diamond defines democracy as a “Meaningful and extensive

competition among individuals and organized groups (especially
political parties) either directly or indirectly, for the major positions of
governmental power in addition to popular participation in the electoral
process and respect for the civil and political rights of the people”.
Although, it has been observed in most liberal democracies especially in
the new democracies existence of numerous parties and the conduct of
periodic elections may not result in popular choice of leadership.
Democracy in a nutshell is a set of ideals, institutions and processes of
governance that allows the broad mass of the people to choose their
leaders and that guarantees them a broad range of civic rights. However,
this conception of democracy may appear to be inadequate as it is only
concerned with formal political rights and processes to the exclusion of
economic rights. Modern day democracy is essentially social
democracy, with the emphasis on poverty prevention or reduction. In
other words, the conception of democracy should include social and
economic upliftment of the masses.
A democratic system can only be evaluated according to the degree of

its commitment to those basic principles or conditions. Democracy
thrives where competition for power is not secretive but open; where
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there are periodic elections based on universal suffrage; where pressure

groups are able to operate to influence government decisions; where
there is tolerance of all shades of opinion and adequate protection of
minority rights; where the civil liberties of the government are not
unnecessarily even encroached upon and the government is responsible,
responsive and accountable to the citizens.
The practice of democracy varies from place to place. Some countries

operate it at a much higher level than others. A system is considered
than others to be democratic when the people have a basic freedom
which must be preserved; when the people can manage their own affairs
and when governments exist for the good of the majority. The political
systems such as USA, Britain, France, Sweden, Germany and few other
European countries are usually described as liberal democratic States.
3.6 Liberal Democracy
Democracy as a political ideology originated from the Greek City State

of Athens. The version of Athenian democracy was quite different from
the contemporary liberal democracy. The difference lies in the number
or category of people who were eligible to participate or vote. For
instance, the numerous slaves in Greek Society, all women and much
property–less people were excluded. Similarly, before 1860s, the US
Constitution formally excluded black slaves from citizenship and voting
rights were given to only people holding property. Interestingly, also,
after slavery was formally abolished there were restrictions on black
people’s political and civil rights, until 1960s following the Black Civil
Rights Movement.
The growth of modern liberal democracies dates back from the 1970s
and 1980s. The 1970s saw quite number of West European States
moving towards democratic rule after many years of authoritarianism. In
the 1980s and 1990s, there was democratic movement in parts of the
world, notably, in South America countries of Brazil and Argentina, in
Africa and South East Asia e.g. South Korea, Taiwan. After the collapse
of Soviet bloc in 1989, the Soviet satellite countries joined the clubs of
democratic States.
The world today has fully embraced liberal democracy. In Africa, the
movement for democratization and liberalization of political life has
become the norm. A successful democratic election in South Africa in
1994, in Ghana, Nigeria in 1999, and most recently in Liberia, which
marked the end of more than two decades of civil war. As more and
more countries are moving towards democratic governance, the crusades
for human rights begin to be fully entrenched. A liberal democracy is a
political system where:
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i) periodic “free and fair” elections take place to determine how

governments are formed and how the legislature is constituted,
with free political competition for groups and political parties and
some reasonably efficient system for assuring majority rule; and
ii) fundamental civil liberties are protected by law and constitutional
safeguards, while legal enactments and rules are equally and
impartially enforced by an independent judicial and legal system.
The liberal conception of democracy emphasizes majority rule,

protection of civil liberties. It is reasoned that without the protection of
civil and political liberties the government will become tyrannical;
although there is always a limit to the enjoyment of such liberties. All
liberal democracies guarantee to the citizens the rights of political
participation in one form or the other, but such rights are limited through
certain laws. For examples, there are laws against armed subversion,
terrorism and other undemocratic actions that undermine the general
principles of democracy.
Discuss the major features of Liberal Democracy.
3.7 Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic and social system in which individuals and

groups are allowed to own, manage and control any aspect of the
economy according to their ability and resources. Capitalism arises from
the doctrine of liberalism and laissez-faire economic system. It replaces
feudalism which was the oldest of government in Europe in the
medieval time. The period 14th to the 17th centuries was the mercantile
period in Europe when the Kings or monarchs were in total control of
commerce and trade. This was marked by massive accumulation of
wealth through trade and plunder for the aggrandizement of European
powers. Mercantilism became an ideology for the purpose of merchants
themselves as independent political units and active participants in
domestic and foreign affairs.
Classical capitalist doctrine is dated back to the period Adam Smith

wrote his book titled: “The Wealth of Nations”. The classical era gave a
central role to the market system which it held, had the capacity to
stimulate, regulate and coordinate the economic activities of individuals.
Adam Smith argues that the market system, what he calls the “invisible
hand” contains a self-generating and self-correcting mechanism which
functions so well that, the government should keep its hands off the
economy. Capitalism opposes to strong State intervention in the
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economic planning. The political principles that under gird capitalism

includes the following suppositions:
i) that the role of the government should be limited to the

maintenance of law and order, upholding the sanctity of contract,
regulating currency, raising taxes and containing external
aggressions;
ii) that economic power should be diffused among many property
owners rather than be concentrated in the hands of one owner that
is, the state and
iii) that government should not engage in any effort to redistribute
economic reward since the system ensures that wealth goes to
those who serve the needs of the society best while poverty goes
to those who contribute little.
The development of capitalism falls into a number of stages,

characterized by different levels of maturity and each of them
recognizable by fairly distinctive traits. If we begin with the
consideration that capitalism as a specific mode of production, then it
follows that we cannot speak of a special period of “Merchant
Capitalism” as it is usually the case. The beginning of capitalism was
when changes in the mode of production occur, in the sense of a direct
subordinate of the producers to a capitalist. It is argued that, the
appearance of trading class – merchant capitalism have no revolutionary
significant influence on the economic pattern of society than the
appearance of a class of capitalist whose fortunes are inadequately
linked with industry and that, while a ruling class whether of slave-
owners or feudal lords may take to trading or enter into close alliance
with traders, a merchant class whose activities are essentially those of an
inter-mediary between producer and consumer is unlikely to strive to
become a dominant class in quite that radical and exclusive sense.
The history of capitalism began in England in the 16th and the early 17th
centuries when capital began to penetrate production on a considerable
scale, either in the form of a fairly matured relationship between
capitalist and hired wage – earners or in the less developed form of the
subordinate of domestic handicraftsmen, working in their own homes, to
capitalist on the so-called “putting-out system”. Maurice Dobb argues
that, prior to 16th and 17th centuries, that craftsmen had lost much of his
independence through debt or in the face of monopoly of wholesale
traders, and also depended on a merchant, who possess the capital. In the
14th century there was a good deal of what Maurice Dobb termed Kulak
types of enterprise – the – well – to – do peasant in the village or the
local trader or worker – owner in town handicrafts, employing hired
labour.
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The 17th century was one of the decisive moments in the political and
social transformations, including the struggle within the chartered
corporations and the parliamentary struggle against monopoly, reaching
its apex in the Cromwellian Revolution in England. The other decisive
moment consist of the industrial revolution of the late 18th and in the
early half of the 19th century, which primarily of economic significance;
it had a less dramatic, but far from unimportant reflection in the political
sphere. So decisive was it for the whole future of capitalist economy, so
radical a transformation of the structure and organization of industry did
it represent, as to have caused some to regard it as the birth pangs of
modern capitalism and hence as the most decisive moment in economic
and social development since the Middle Ages.
To be consistent in our argument of the origin of the capitalist mode of

production, we must add the third decisive moments in the transition
from the medieval mode of production to capitalist. This was the period
that marked the disintegration of feudalism. The 14th century witnessed
a crisis of the old feudal order, following closely on the needs of the rise
of corporate towns to a large measure of local autonomy political and
economic as well as to a greatly enhanced influence in national affairs.
In this crisis the feudal mode of production, based on serfdom, was
seriously shaken and reached an advanced stage of disintegration, the
effects of which were seen in the malaise of landlord economy in the
following century. However, it is true that the disintegration of the
feudal mode of production had already reached an advanced stage
before the capitalist mode of production emerged within the womb of
the old. To avoid misapprehension and misinterpretation of issues, the
history of capitalism and the stages in its development, do not
necessarily have the same dating for different parts of country or for
different industries, it will be right at times to talk of a collection of
histories of capitalism and not a single history because all of them
having a general similarity of shapes, but each of them separately dated
as regards its main stages.
In the transitional stages of the development of capitalism, there was a

major transition from one form of class harmony to another and minor
transitions which mark stages within the life-span of given economic
system. Where a new class, linked with a new mode of production,
makes itself the dominant class and ousts the representative of the old
economic and social order who previously held sway, the influence of
this political revolution must necessarily be felt over the whole area of
whatever is the political unit within which power has been transferred
and the immediate consequence must in this case be approximately
simultaneous throughout this area. It is this change of policy and hence
the direction in which its influences is exerted at a national level that
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gives to such moments as the English Revolution of the 17th century or

1789 in France or 1917 in Russia their special significance.
The developmental stages of capitalism through the main phases into

which its history falls has been associated essentially with technical
change affecting the character of production and for this reason the
capitalists associated with each new phase have tended to be initially at
least a different structure of capitalists from those who had sunk their
capital in the older type of production. It is indeed crucial at this stage to
link the periods when the policy of the State in a class society moves in
the direction of economic regulation with periods of actual or
apprehended labour scarcity and periods when State policy is inspired
by a spirit of economic liberalism with an opposite situation. The reason
which prompt the State at any time towards intervention in production
may be various and complex; as are also the possible forms and objects
of intervention. State intervention intended to grow in countries of
Western Europe in the 14th and early 15th century, which was a period of
almost universal labour scarcity; whereas, the 19th century witnessed a
period of an abundant labour reserve and rapid increase of population
and the greatest triumphs of laissez-faire.
The 20th century, saw the growth of the welfare state. The mainstream
liberal democratic theorist J.S. Mill accepted the need for a large scale
welfare states to stabilize capitalism and meet the pressure from social
democratic parties. The war time experience of democratic governments
controlling and directing industrial production and directing labour as
indicating that the state economic planning advocated by social
democrats and Marxists was much more feasible than they had
previously thought (Dumleavy, 2004). In the 1930s laissez-faire position
seemed less plausible as state intervention in economic and social
policies proved successful in President Roosevelts’ New Deal in pulling
the USA out of the Great Depression. With the onset of the Second
World War, State planning was in all the major combatant countries to
organize production, in the UK and USA.
The general picture of State policy in capitalists system is its grave for
freedom, since only in the absence of regulation and control can it find
favourable conditions for expansion. Capitalism in this context is against
any legal restraint and monopoly, and monopoly is the product of
illegitimate intrusion of the state into the economic domain, in pursuit of
power instead of plenty or of social stability at the cost of commercial
prosperity. Freedom could only be sustained by minimizing the growth
of the state.
There is no doubt that modern capitalism has been progressive in a high

degree: accordingly to the well-know tribute paid to it by Karl Marx and
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Fredrick Engels in the Communist Manifesto, “the bourgeoisie has

played an extremely revolutionary role upon the stage of history… it
was the first to show us what human activity is capable of achieving…
(it) cannot exist without incessantly revolutionizing the instruments of
production, and, consequently, the relations of production”. The
progressive influence of capitalism is some how halted because of some
enduring quality of the system, which thrives on continuous innovation
and unusual buoyancy of markets as well as with an abnormal rate of
increase of its labour supply.
Basic Characteristics of Capitalism
There are certain features that distinguish capitalism from socialism.

These are as follows:
(i) Private ownership, management and control of the means of

economic production, distribution and exchange;
(ii) The production of goods and services is usually for profit, not for
general use. Individuals organize their business in such a way as
to make profit.
(iii) It insists on government protection of fundamental human rights
of individual. This is the political aspect of capitalism, because it
ensures that the rights of the individual are guaranteed, there is
the practice of multi-party system;
(iv) Existence of two dominant classes- the owner of capital
(bourgeoisie) and the workers (proletariat). The workers sell
their labour to the owners of capital and receive wages in return.
(v) Private and free enterprise – individuals are free to do any type of
business they desire in accordance with laid down rules and
regulations by the state.
(vi) Property could be owned both by the individual and the state.
Capitalism as a dynamic system of production has made great

contribution to human development” Do you agree?
3.8 Socialism
Socialism has often been misinterpreted because of its complex nature.

It is perhaps, the most complete political ideology because its goals are
all encompassing. It is both an economic system and social, political and
moral philosophy. Socialism can be conceived as an ideology and also a
political movement or a method to bring about social, economic and
political transformation. Socialism refers to a system, in any country of
the organization of economic production, distribution and exchange. It is
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a system in which the major factors of economic production, distribution

and exchange are in the hands of the state.
Socialism is a political movement for the establishment of a socialist

system of government. It is also a method as well as a doctrine for the
organization of socialist political parties and trade unions. Socialism
represents a stage or epoch in the historical transformation of societies
from capitalism to communism. Socialism is a protest against
capitalism, which emphasizes private ownership of property or means of
production, distribution and exchange. Communism is the last stage of
socialism, which will lead to the establishment of the dictatorship of the
proletariat or workers.
Leon Baradat (1997) provides three basic features of socialism. In other

words, socialism can be divided into three basic features. Two of them
ownership of production and establishment of the welfare state, are
mechanical and are not necessarily related to each other. The third is the
belief in the socialist intent, which is the most fundamental aspect of
socialism and must exist together with one or both of the mechanical
feature, otherwise, true socialism cannot be said to exist. We shall return
to these issues later in this section.
In the development of socialism, it is traditionally understood to mean

the application of collective production and consumption to an entire
nation. The argument is that socialism became feasible with the
Industrial Revolution, when the resources for national coordination of an
economy had come into existence. Rosseau opposed great differences in
property ownership among citizens because the disparity would create
unequal political powers among them. This is the foundation of
socialism, as it advocates for economic equality as fundamental to a just
society. It is only in an environment of economic equality is the full
potential of each individual completely free to develop. Hence, though
primarily economic in nature, socialism is also a political ideology.
Socialism is based on the premise that individuals should produce as

much as they can, and in the spirit of social conscientiousness, to share
their product with the society at large. By this means, it is assumed that
each will get the greatest benefit, thereby creating the best possible life
for all.
Utopian socialism movement developed from a sincere desire for

equality within the society and from genuine compassion for the masses
at the bottom of the social structure. Members of this movement
concluded that lavishing sumptuous wealth on some while allowing
others to languish in squalor was immoral, since the economy produced
enough for all to live comfortably if goods were distributed more
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evenly. Many utopians believed that there was an ideal equalitarian

social order that, if discovered and implemented, would lead humanity
to a more profound level of prosperity and happiness. Utopian socialists
also believed that only the workers create wealth, therefore, they held
that society should adjust its social, economic, and political systems to
prevent unequal distribution of wealth.
The utopian socialist movement originated with the help of three

personalities – Saint-Simon, Robert Owen, and Charles Fourier.
Important as these utopians socialists were to the development of
socialism, their influence is largely limited to their own generation. For
more important to socialist theory was Karl Marx. Prior to Marx, the
basis of the proposed socialist societies had been the humanitarian hope
that people would treat each other better as their material conditions
improved. Though Marx was compassionate as he never based his
conclusion of socialism on a humanitarian desire for a better life. His
theory postulates certain “laws” of human motivation and conduct
(economic determinism and dialectic materialism). It concludes that
socialism is the unavoidable goal of human historical development. This
view became so dominant and superior to his predecessors that he
captivated the socialist movement until his death in 1883.
Origins of Socialism
The origin of socialism is traced to pre-Revolutionary France. Jean

Jacque Rousseau, though not a socialist, gave leftist foundations of
equalitarianism on which socialism is based. After the French
Revolution, utopian socialists deplored the suffering caused by early
capitalism and claimed that humanity was destined to live communally.
But the failure of utopian socialist to explain adequately and in a more
scientific manner about social relationship that informed Marx’s
“scientific socialism”, which came to dominates the movement.
After Marx’s death the socialist movement shattered into three distinct
and competitive variants. First, the orthodox school, which rejected any
significant change to Marx’s works and rapidly became obsolete. The
second was the revisionists and the Fabians that challenged most of the
fundamental Marxist theories preferring more gradual and peaceful
development of the socialist goals. Their ideas had a great impact on
almost every modern non-Marxist socialist movement in Europe and
America. The third is Marxism-Leninism that developed after Marx’s
death.
V. I. Lenin was more practical than Marx, though his ideology was not
as consistent as Marx. The central argument of Marxism-Leninism is
that capitalist institutions such as imperialism discouraged the
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spontaneous proletarian revolutions that Marx had predicted. Lenin

created an elite group of dedicated revolutionaries who would lead the
rebellion and govern after the capitalist system collapsed. When the
bourgeois ruler had been replaced by the dictatorship of the proletariat, a
system that rewarded people according to their work would be
established. Through education, material rewards, and elimination of the
worst dissidents from society, the proletariat would grow until it was the
only economic class in the society. Then the system would evolve into
the classic Marxist utopia communism.
Scientific Socialism of Karl Marx
Scientific socialism is an attempt to demonstrate or apply scientific

interpretation of human history. It is argued that man is governed by
material needs and this reduces him to an “earth bound beast with no
spark of the lofty and divine” (William E. Bernstein, 1993, p.34). As
Karl Marx lived during a time when belief in science was at its peak.
Marx believed that he had discovered the economic laws that governed
human, social development; hence, his supporters called his theory
scientific socialism. It is assumed that humanity was on the verge of a
new era of knowledge and understanding of things. Engels who was a
collaborator with Karl Marx, was convinced that Marx had done for
social history what Darwin had done for biological sciences. To Engels,
“as Darwin discovered the law of development of organic nature, so
Marx discovered the developmental law of human history” (Baradat
1997, p. 108).
The idea of scientific socialism according to Marx is to distinguish it

from utopian socialism. The essence therefore is that revolution which
will sweep away class exploitation by the bourgeoisie of workers and
class privileges would inevitably occur out of a class struggle between
the ‘haves’ (bourgeoisie) and the ‘have nots’ (proletariat).
Scientific socialism rests on the theory of historical materialism, which

is in terms of dialectics of history. The underlying principle of
materialism is a protest against capitalism. The work of Karl Marx and
Friedrich Engels Das Kapital is a critique of the capitalist system.
Marxism posits a materialist interpretation of human history. It is
assumed that the mode of production of goods and services and the
manner of exchange of these goods and services constitute the bases of
all social processes and institutions. Marx insists that it is the economic
structure that determines the politics. In other words, the most
fundamental assumption in Marxism is economic determinism.
Economic determinism suggests that the primary human motivation is

economic. “It is not the consciousness of men that determines their
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existence”, Marx argues, “but their social existence that determines their
consciousness”, that is, what we value and what we do politically is
determined by our economic circumstances. This view has gained a lot
of ground in academic discourse in political economy, that economics
plays an important part in determining political behaviour.
Marx saw all societies as composed of two parts: the foundation and the
superstructure. The foundation of any society, is the material condition.
In other words, the economic system is at the base of the society. Marx
divided the economy into two basic factor: the means of production and
the relations of production. The means of production are the resources
and technology at the disposal of a particular society, and their
interrelationship determines the kind of economic system the society
enjoys. The relations of production (or social classes) are determined by
the foundation. The superstructure is composed of all nonmaterial
institutions in the society, and each is arranged in a way that suits the
ruling class. The superstructure includes the values, ideology,
government, education, law, religion, art, and so on.
Art
Superstructure of the
Law
society
Religion
Ideology
Education
Govt., values, et
Relations of production (social

Foundation of the society classes)
Means of production
(Resources and Technology)
Source: Leon Baradat., 1997, P. 175.
The basis of Marx’s argument for violence was his perception of the
dialectic process. He believed that technological change cannot be
stopped: Resources will become depleted, and new means of production
will inevitably evolve, resulting economic change. When the economy
changes, economic determinism dictates that the entire foundation of the
society must be transformed, forcing a change in its superstructure as
well. Economic change cannot be prevented, because it forces social
change, which, in turn drives political change. Violence is seen as
necessary in this process because the rulers who control the economy
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feel their economic and political power threatened by the uncontrollable

changes taking place in the means of production.
Marxist historical theory is the basis for the belief that Marx created a
“scientific” theory of socialism. The dialectic is part this theory was
taken from the thinking of Hegel. Hegelian thought was based on
change. Hegel believes that the world was progressing toward a goal
that was predetermined by God. This goal, he called the idea. Marx
borrowed this concept of dialectic from Hegel, which they saw as a
means of achieving historical progress through struggle.
The fundamental logic of history is the struggle that will ultimately

bring about a change. Change itself is what is consistent. To Hegel,
history was simply the process of change brought on by struggle. He
argued that the dialectic was a struggle between divinely inspired ideas
and that it led to changes in the earthly social or political environment
(Baradat 1997,
p.178-79).
Marx rejected Hegel’s meta-physical assumptions and adopted the

dialectic as the fundamental logic of history. He however, agreed with
Hegel that humanity would eventually reach the end of the process
change. The state of affairs, which Hegel calls the thesis that will be
challenged by a new idea, the antithesis. A conflict between the thesis
and the antithesis will follow; this is called the dialectic process. The
result of this conflict will, according to Hegel, be a synthesis of all the
good parts of the thesis and of the antithesis. Then the synthesis
becomes the new thesis to which another antithesis eventually develops.
Marx claimed that the dialectic was a conflict among worldly interests.
He believed that human conflict was caused by social-class differences.
Marx held that the struggle which occurred at the end of one historical
era and led to the down of a new one was a struggle between opposing
social classes. Further, he believed that humanity had passed through
four historical stages and was about to enter its fifth and final era. Each
historical era had been characterized by a particular economic system
(the means and relations of production) leading to a specific political
system (superstructure).
In the Marxian dialectic the four eras were the primitive communism
when every person marked at producing, and people shared their
produce with one another in order to survive; the era of slavery when the
dominant people forced the dominated people into servitude; a new
political – economic system had emerged, called feudalism in which a
landed aristocracy provided police and military protection to the
peasants, who soon became serfs (people legally bound to the land –
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“land slaves”) and farmed the nobles’ lands. The fourth revolution in the
1640s and the American and French upheavals of the late 18th century
featured capitalism as its economic system. Marx called the new
political systems bourgeois democracies.
Capitalism fostered factory workers, the proletariat (or wage slaves) a

class that would act as the antithesis in the fourth historical era. Marx
believed that the tension between the two classes would build into a new
and final dialectic struggle.
Capitalism had increased human productivity to the point at which all

basic material needs could be satisfied. Marx assumed that the victory of
the proletariat was inevitable; it would be a victory of the exploited over
the exploiter. He also believed that the proletariat itself would not be
exploitative. To him, if all other classes were eliminated the source of all
human strife would disappear and a new, classless society holding its
goods in common would emerge, which is the communist society.
Basic Features of Socialism
1. Public Ownership of Production: The concept of public

ownership and control of the major means of production is a
fundamental principle of socialism. This is through
nationalization and in advanced Western states cooperatives as a
mean of socializing the economy.
ii. The Welfare State: This is to allow for equitable distribution of

wealth throughout society. What is much more important to
the socialist is the distribution of the goods and services and not
just the production. For instance, in the 1930s, President
Frankline Roosevelt introduced the new Deal, to give capitalism
a human face. At this time, programmes such as social security,
government supports for agriculture, unemployment and workers’
compensation, welfare programmes, federal guarantees for
housing loans, government insurance for saving deposits, and so
on were introduced.
iii. The Socialist Intent: Baradat (1997) argues that the first two
features are mechanical in nature and not necessarily related to
each other. To him, a society could socialize many, or even all, of
its major means of production and still avoid creating a welfare
state.
The goal of socialism is to set people free from the condition of material
dependence that has imprisoned them since the beginning of time. The
true socialist looks forward to a time when the productive capacity of
91
the society will have been increased to the point at which there is
abundance for all. As the general material conditions of the society
improve, the specific differences in material status among individuals
will decrease. This is as a result of technology that has created a
situation in which people can produce enough to satisfy all their basic
needs.
Since there will be plenty for all, traditional property values such private
ownership, the use of money, and the accumulation of luxuries by one
class while others live in squalor will disappear.
Socialism is an economic equivalent of democracy with individual

political equality. Hence, socialism is compatible with democracy, since
it is to the individual economically what democracy is to the individual
politically
3.9 Dictatorial Ideologies
Essentially, all other political ideologies that do not share the same
characteristics as democracy are dictatorial in nature. In this section, we
attempt to bring out the basic elements that are common to all the
dictatorial regimes in the history of mankind. The dictatorial ideologies
that we shall be considering here are: authoritarianism, totalitarianism,
fascism, autocracy, tyranny, etc. In this write up, we classified all of
them as dictatorship.
Authoritarianism represents various forms of autocratic rule in which

political authority is concentrated in the hands of one person or a small
group of persons. This may be seen as oligarchy, that is, government by
few individuals that are considered as elites. These could be in the
military, that is, when the military regime is in power, it is usually made
up few persons that constitute themselves as ruling clique. In such a
system political power is highly centralized and the power which the
regime wields is arbitrarily used.
Like all dictatorial regimes, political power is in the hands of one person
or an oligarchy. Since dictatorship implies irresponsible exercise of
political power with no moral or political control or restrain, no election
and political opposition is allowed, etc. Political opposition may exist
both in theory and not in practice. In practice, in a dictatorship,
opposition may be emasculated. In a situation where opposition is
allowed to exist, it is usually in a small scale and the regime at times
adopts benevolent policies, which is aptly described as “enlightened
dictatorship or despotism”. A despot is a tyrannt who induces fear on
his subjects to compel obedience. A tyrannical ruler does not obey the
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constitution if there is any; arbitrarily laws are made without regard to

fundamental human rights and rule of law.
Despotism and tyranny are extreme versions of dictatorship. In this case,
despotism and tyranny display various forms of total control of the
entire public and private life of the citizens. The citizens are subjected
and subjugated in various ways by the leaders as it were in Fascist Italy
under Benito Mussolini, Naz Germany of Adolf Hitler, Communist
Russia under V. I. Lenin, Stalin, and so on.
Fascism is a kind of ideology which grew up on the 20th century.

Fascism as a political doctrine or ideology was rooted from
totalitarianism. Fascism a political theory came in Italy in 1922, during
the expression which followed World War I. The Fascist leader Benito
Mussolini spread the doctrine of fascism in all the nooks crannies in
Europe. Fascist leader was seen as the most superior and controls all the
instruments of coercion and violence. The leader believed in war and not
peace. To Mussolini, “war is to man what maternity is to a woman”.
The central political idea of fascism is the creation of a truly sovereign

state with a sovereign authority. The state dominates all other forces
within the country and is at the same time guiding the sentiments of the
masses, educating the masses and looking after the interest of the
masses. According to Mussolini, fascism is against international peace,
socialism, pacifism, democracy and individualism. Fascism is thus, the
totalitarian organization of government and society by a single party
dictatorship which is intensely nationalist, racist, militarist and
imperialistic.
Nazism which was a political movement in which Adolf Hitler ruled

Germany between (1933-1945) shares the same political ideas or
doctrine with fascism, except that Adolf Hitler emphasized the
superiority or supremacy of the Aryan race, while fascism emphasized
the supremacy of the leader over the state. Both fascism and Nazism
were all rooted from totalitarianism.
Totalitarianism is an advanced form of authoritarianism. In an

authoritarian government as earlier alluded, power is concentrated in an
individual or in the hands of a group. Monarchies, oligarchies, and
military governments are examples of authoritarian governments. Just
like these forms of government, totalitarian state, does not allow
majority of citizens any direct or institutionalized role in the process of
decision-making. There are important limitations to political parties and
elections. The political rulers often place greater emphasis on force and
coercion to obtain political conformity and obedience. Totalitarianism
therefore is a doctrine based on the use of terror or force to compel
obedience. The entire life both political, economic, and social is in the
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hands of the state, represented by the leaders. Examples of totalitarian

regimes or states include fascist Italy under Mussolini, Nazi Germany
the Soviet Union under Stalin. Communist China under Mao Tsetsung
also pursued the goal of the dictatorship of the proletariat.
All these political ideas and movements share the same characteristics
except democracy. These are some of the basic characteristics of
dictatorship.
(i) The state defines the rights of individuals and what constitutes
crimes against the state;
(ii) The conception of the state as a moral absolute deserving of
unquestioning obedience by all;
(iii) Totalitarian state control all aspects of life of the citizens;
(iv) The use of secret police or ‘Gestapo’ or ‘KGB’ to terrorise and
intimidate the citizens and political opposition groups;
(v) The concentration of political power on few individuals;
(vi) There is usually one political party like the then Soviet Union,
where the C.P.S.U (Communist Party of the Soviet Union) was
the only political party that was allowed to exist, opposition party
was outlawed;
(vii) Totalitarian state or regime is intolerance of socialism and
liberalism;
(viii) There is emphasis on the use of propaganda as an instrument of
control and terror;
(ix) There is the belief in the superiority of a particular race, which
became a deliberate state policy in Germany.
(x) Fascism opposes to international law, fundamental human right;
etc.
4.0 CONCLUSION
The Unit has carefully examined the major political ideas and
movements. We have conceived ideology as a coherent body of idea
which explains and justify a preferred social order which is either
existing or is envisaged. Ideology guides and directs the action of
political leaders in the state. We have identified the functions and
characteristics of ideology. It is evident from our analysis that ideology
plays important role in any political system. We have equally examined
the doctrine of liberalism, and we attempted to relate it with democracy
and capitalism. Socialism and capitalism are treated distinctively, while
other political movements such as fascism, Nazism, totalitarianism are
captioned as dictatorial ideologies that share similar attributes.
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5.0 SUMMARY
• know what an ideology is

• distinguish features of ideology
• know the functions of ideology
• know the types of ideologies.
i. Identify five distinguishing features of an ideology?

ii. Discuss the relevance of ideology in any political system?
iii. Describe briefly the major tenants of capitalism?
iv. Are there any relationship between the doctrine of liberalism and
democracy?
v. Critically analyse major characteristics of dictatorship.
Anifowose, Remi and Francis, Enemuo (ed). (1999). Elements of

Politics. Lagos: Malthouse Press Ltd.
Ball, Allan R. (1971). Modern Politics and Government. London:

Macmillan.
Baradat, Leon P. (1997). Political Ideologies: Their Origins and Impact.

New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Sixth Edition.
Dobb, Maurice H. (1946). Studies in the Development of Capitalism.

London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
Nnoli, Okwudiba (1986). Introduction to Politics. Lagos: Longman

Nigeria Limited.
Ologbenla, Derin K. (2004). Introduction to Political Science. Lagos:

Olucity Press Ltd.
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UNIT 5 CONSTITUTION
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Types of Constitution
3.1.1 Written
3.1.2 Unwritten
3.1.3 Rigid and Flexible
3.1.4 Unitary and Federal
3.1.5 Confederal
3.1.6 Presidential and Parliamentary
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Constitution entails the document that embodies the steps that determine
how we do things in the society. It is essentially the embodiment of the
most fundamental rules, principles and institutions which constitute the
political fabric of a state. Rules are those regulations that govern a
particular action, and principles are the underlying premises of these
regulations. In essence, this helps to bring order and sanity to the
society and for the good governance of the generality of the people.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• explain the essential ingredients of the constitution

• identify the rights, duties and obligations as enshrined in the
constitution
• differentiate between the different types of the constitution.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Types of Constitutions
There are different types of constitutions. Let us briefly do an overview

of each.
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3.1.1 Written Constitution
A written constitution is the body of rules and laws that govern a people
which can be found in one document. It is a result of a deliberate
framing and adoption of a specific document intended to embody most
of the fundamental rules and institutions by which a state is to be
governed.
From historical accounts, for about the last two centuries, almost all
constitutional governments have had written constitutions, usually in the
form of a single basic document. It is different from an ordinary law
because it defines the fundamental framework and system of restraint
within which the state operates. It is in this sense that a written
constitution can be referred to as the supreme law of the land. In
another sense, it is an embodiment of the political principles and
institutional patterns that are so fundamental as to be considered
indispensable. Some of the countries that operate written constitutions
include Canada, Ghana, India, Nigeria and the United States of America.
3.1.2 Unwritten Constitution
Generally, constitutions are said to be unwritten because they have

evolved on the basis of custom rather than on written law. The reference
point in this regard remains that of Great Britain. This is because it is a
combination scattered in several documents and drawn from diverse
sources from the 13th century to the present. The constitution
constitutes of four basic elements of which only one is written in black
and white.
In the first instance, an unwritten constitution consists of documents and

statues which have provided solutions to successive constitutional crisis.
These include the Margna Carta of 1215; Petition of Rights, 1628; Bill
of Rights, 1689; The Reform Act of 1832 and the Parliamentary Act of
1911. Each of these documents represent a landmark in British
constitutionalism.
The second important element of the unwritten constitution is the

parliamentary statutes which have brought about important changes in
the development of the United Kingdom. These statues were not a
product of any dramatic constitutional crisis, but they assisted in
effecting fundamental changes that accorded them an important place in
the statute books. Some examples of these statutes include those that
defined rights and duties of citizens and those laws which helped to
broaden the suffrage. In essence, any law of parliament which changes
the existing power structure or operation of the British political system
becomes a part of the constitution.
97
The third element of the unwritten constitution is the great mass of laws
created by many generations of English judges. The personal right of an
Englishman, for instance, freedom of speech, press, assembly and the
right to trial by jury are firmly protected by established principles of the
common law rather than any Act of Parliament. These principles are
essential in restraining the power of the government and as such
constitute a vital element of British constitution.
The fourth element of the unwritten constitution is customs and

conventions. These conventions are not embodied in written law or
judicial decisions, but have gradually evolved over many generations.
Conventions are products of long experience in developing workable
relationships among the Chief institutions of British government. The
only sanction behind these conventions is the force of custom and
tradition. It is customary for example, for the cabinet in Great Britain to
resign if it meets with a defeat in the House of commons on a major
issue.
In general teams, an unwritten constitution evolves slowly in response to

dominant social and political forces. It entails therefore that they are not
products of a single act or authority but a product of tradition and
emerging needs.
3.1.3 Rigid and Flexible Constitutions
A rigid constitution is a constitution which the procedures for

amendment are cumbersome and rigourous. Most federal states are
known to operate rigid constitutions. There is always the impression that
a written constitution is simultaneously rigid and that an unwritten
constitution is flexible. However, the major distinguishing factor
between a rigid and flexible constitution is not on whether it is written or
unwritten, but whether the process of constitutional law making is or is
not identical with the process of ordinary law making. Therefore, a
constitution which can be amended or altered without recourse to any
special agreement could be termed a flexible constitution, while a
constitution which requires a special procedure for its alteration or
amendment is a rigid constitution. In this regard, constitutions can be
differentiated from one another through the method by which they
would be amended. The tendency therefore in distinguishing rigid and
flexible constitutions is that a constitution which contains a number of
legal obstacles to its amendment will be harder to amend or alter, and
will therefore be less frequently altered than those constitutions which
contain fewer obstacles at all. It is therefore important to note that the
case or frequency with which a constitution is amended depends not
only on the legal or constitutional provisions or requirements that
prescribe the method of change but also on the predominant political and
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social groups in the community and the extent to which they are
satisfied with the organization and distribution of political powers which
the constitution prescribes.
3.1.4 Unitary and Federal Constitutions
The nature of the state also determines the type of constitution it

operates. Most modern states are either unitary or federal. In
accordance with this notion, unitary and federal states can be
differentiated from a confederal state.
A unitary state is characterized by the habitual exercise of supreme

legislative authority by one central government. A federal state on the
other hand is a political contrivance intended to reconcile national unity
and power with the maintenance of state rights. A unitary state is
organised under a single central government. Whatever powers that the
various units within the area administered by the central government are
held at the discretion of that government, and the central power is
supreme over the whole without any restrictions imposed by any law
granting special powers to its parts. There is therefore no question of any
limitation being placed on the power of the central authority or
government by any law making body belonging to any smaller part of
the state.
In a federal state, the numbers of the coordinate units unite for certain
common and mutual purposes. Under a federal constitution, the powers
of the central or federal authority are limited by certain powers which
the units retain in furtherance of the common purpose. The constitution
in this situation determines the distribution of power between the centre
and regional units. The constitution also states those rights that are to be
retained by the federating units and those that are taken over by the
federal authority.
The third possibility in the distinction between unitary and federal

constitutions is a situation where the government of the whole country is
subordinate to the component units. It is usual to call such a
constitutional arrangement a confederation. Confederation hence, may
be used to describe a form of association established to regulate matters
of common interest or concern, but retain to themselves greater degree
of some control over the organization. It will be misleading to call a
central authority of a confederation a government, because their various
parts are also governments. ECOWAS remains a good example of a
confederation.
99
Define what a constitution is and explain the various types.
3.1.5 Presidential and Parliamentary Constitutions
A distinction can also be made among constitutions on the basis of the

method by which powers are distributed inside the government. In this
regard, the constitution can be divided into those which embody to a
greater or lesser degree the doctrine of separation of powers, and those
which do not embody the doctrine. Put differently, the distinction
among constitutions is in line with those who established the
Presidential Executive and the Parliamentary or Cabinet system. The
doctrine of separation of powers means that each arm of government –
Legislature, Executive and Judiciary is confined exclusively to a
separate institution of government. It is also assumed that there will be
no over-lapping either of function or personnel of government. In U. S.
A. for example, the Congress is vested with all legislative powers. The
President is charged with the responsibility of executing the laws.
While the Judicial powers are vested in the Supreme Court and other
inferior courts. This is the basis upon which the constitution of USA has
been classified as embodying the concept of separation of powers.
In a Parliamentary/Cabinet system of government, the constitution

enjoins that the ministers and the Head of Executive must at the same
time be members of Parliament. Therefore, there is no strict separation
of powers in a cabinet system between the three arms of government.
Note, however, that even though the American constitution separates the
three institutions of government and forbids overlapping of personnel
between them, the separation is not absolute. Although the legislative
powers are granted to Congress, the President has the right to veto the
acts of the congress and his veto can only be over-ruled by 2/3 majority
of the Congress and the Senate. Although the Executive power is vested
in the President, he must ask the advice and consent of the Senate for the
making of treaties and in making important appointments. Although the
judicial powers are vested in the Supreme Court and other subordinate
courts, the Senate is empowered to impeach corrupt or insane President.
Constitution exists to define legitimate political power as a system of

regularising, restraining the power of government and necessarily
defines who shall exercise political power, how this power is to be
exercised and the unit to exercise the power? Most constitutions
therefore have a common pattern, in the sense that they contain
statements intended to define the relationships between the rulers and
the ruled, the basic institutional framework of government, the rights
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and duties of all citizens and many important procedures that are to be
followed in the government of the state.
Compare and contrast Presidential and Parliamentary constitutions.
4.0 CONCLUSION
In this Unit, we have briefly examined various types of constitutions. In

the next Unit, we shall look at constitutionalism.
5.0 SUMMARY
Different countries operate different types of constitutions. In this Unit,

you have specifically been able to understand the various types of
constitutions. Unit 11 will therefore build on this Unit and introduce you
to constitutionalism.
i. Define what you understand by a Constitution.

ii. Explain the various types of constitution known to you.
Dicey, A.V. (1926). Introduction to the Study of the Law of the

Constitution (8th ed.). London: Macmillan.
Dumbauld, Edward (ed.) (1966). Political Writings of Thomas

Jefferson: Freedom and the State. U. S. A: Forum Book.
Elias, T. O. (1967). Nigeria – The Development of its Law and

Constitution. London: Stevens.
Burns, A. (1972). History of Nigeria (8th ed.).Unwin Bros. Ltd.
Watts, (1966). New Federations. London: Oxford University Press.
Awa, Eme O. (1969). Federal Government in Nigeria. USA: University

of California Press.
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MODULE 3
Unit 1 Constitutionalism
Unit 2 Politics and Social Change: Reforms, Revolutions and
Military Coups
Unit 3 The Nature of African Armies
Unit 4 Public Administration
Unit 5 International Relations and Organisations
UNIT 1 CONSTITUTIONALISM
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Constitutional Development
3.2 Publication of the 1979 Draft Constitution
3.3 Constituent Assembly
3.4 Roles Envisaged For the Constituent Assembly
3.5 The Alternatives
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Constitutionalism is a goal (i.e. a means to an end), and it refers to the

regularity of political life within a state by means of a constitution. As a
concept, constitutionalism means limited government i.e. a system of
restraint on both the rulers and the ruled. Constitutionalism asserts that
there are fundamental limits which must be observed in the relationship
between the rulers and the ruled. When the power relationship among
the groups in political society becomes regularized under law and
subject to well- defined restraint, the constitutional government exists.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• explain the process of constitution making

• describe the history of and constitutional development.
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3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Constitutional Development

A constitution can be meaningful if it draws its inspiration from the
values, attitudes of those people over whom that constitution will apply.
Nigerian experience in constitution making could for convenient sake be
divided into 4 (four) periods.
The Period of Colonial Experience (1914-60): The experience during

this period varied from that of imposed constitutions with gradual
regulation over time, allowing participation of Nigerians in varying
degrees. At the early stage of Nigeria’s colonial experience,
constitutions were imposed on Nigerians in the sense that they were not
allowed either to determine the nature of the document or to participate
in the processes of bringing them into being. The Lugard Constitution
of 1914 was responsible for creating legally what we now refer to as
Nigeria by merging the Southern and Northern Nigeria protectorates
into one entity. Therefore the 1914 Lugard Nigeria Council can be
called the first Nigerian Constitution.
Clifford Constitution of 1922: With respect to the 1922 Constitution

(known as the Clifford Constitution) there were no dramatic changes
both in terms of the constitution and that of Lugard. Twenty-four years
later, there was the Richard’s Constitution of 1946.
Richard’s Constitution of 1946: This constitution introduced the

concept of regionalism in Nigeria. 1n 1946, Nigeria was divided into
three (3) regions – North, East and West. With respect to the Richard
Constitution, all that merely happened was that the Governor drafted a
Constitution that was supposed to replace the Clifford Constitution of
1922. The draft constitution was later on submitted to the Central
Legislative Council, and final approval of this constitution was given by
the British Parliament.
The Richard Constitution suffered serious criticism and opposition from

its inception from the emerging political class, so that in 1951, this
Constitution was replaced by the McPherson Constitution.
McPherson Constitution: As far as experience in constitution making

is concerned, the McPherson Constitution could be said even within a
colonial setup to be a peoples’ constitution. This was because of the
procedure adopted in bringing the constitution into being. In drafting
the Macpherson Constitution, a wide spectrum of public opinion was
consulted. There was consultation at village level, Provincial, District
and Regional levels so that in contradiction to its predecessors which
were personal affairs of successive governors. The 1951 Constitution
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was Nigeria’s first experience in the making of peoples’ constitution.

After 1951, there was only one constitution until the attainment of
independence in 1960.
Lyttleton Constitution: The 1954 Lyttleton Constitution followed the

same pattern of constitution making that was witnessed during the
Macpherson’s period. With the 1960 Independence Constitution, the
powers of the British Parliament to legislate for Nigeria was terminated
and the responsibility of the British Government for the administration
of Nigeria was also terminated. At the same time, the Queen was still
the Queen of Nigeria and the Head of Government. In order to change
the dominance of external affairs of Nigeria by Britain, a new
Constitution called the Republican Constitution of 1963 was proposed
and adopted in 1963.
Republican Constitution of 1963: With this Constitution, the Queen

ceased to be the Head of Government in Nigeria. Between 1966 and
1979, there was no constitution in existence in Nigeria. The military
coup of January 15, 1966 had the effect of invalidating the legal order of
the 1963 Republic Constitution by creating an entirely new legal order
based on military Decrees and Edicts.
The legal implication of the new military administration found

expression in the Constitution Suspension and Modification Decree
which suspended Parliament and Regional Legislatures in January 1966.
The government of the Federation was vested in a Supreme Military
Council. The Federal Military Government was vested with unlimited
legislative powers to make laws on any subject or any part of the
country. Constitution making under the military was both informal and
unceremonious in the sense that elaborate procedures for making
legislations were absent and no distinction between an ordinary
legislative enactments and a constitutional decree. Decrees were used at
the national level while Edicts were used at state levels.
Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution: Attempts were made by the military

government to usher in a civilian government. The procedures adopted
in the making of Nigeria’s 1979 Constitution were as follows:
The Federal Military Government appointed a Constitution Drafting

Committee (CDC) consisting of 49 persons in October 1975 to produce
a draft constitution for the country. The CDC was expected to submit
the draft for public comment and discussion before the Constituent
Assembly deliberates on it. The method adopted by the CDC was to
invite memoranda from the public on all aspect of the proposed
constitution and in all, the CDC had 346 memoranda submitted by the
public. The CDC raised certain problems:
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The first problem was what should be the position of the government
relative to the Committee itself. Put differently, how are the government
proposal to be handled by the CDC?
The question becomes relevant in retrospect following an allegation

made by a member of the CDC that there were subterranean influences
from above. The allegation of interference was against the Federal
Military Government, it was alleged by Mallam Aminu Kano that a
letter was written to the Chairman of the CDC in which the government
expressed its displeasure at the direction of the debate of the CDC on the
issue of the creation of states. There are basically two comments to
make from the allegation:
(a) Once it is agreed that a constitution must be a people’s

constitution, everything should be done to ensure that this
becomes a reality;
(b) Secondly, as long as anyone is a Nigerian, individual or

institutions, he has a right to submit proposals at the draft stage of
the constitution. But government like individuals should make its
proposals known before the closing date of the submission of the
memoranda or any unlimited privilege may legitimately be
construed as interference. By people’s constitution, we mean the
constitution that is the nature of the people.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
What is Constitutionalism?
3.2 Publication of the 1979 Draft Constitution
With reference to the publication of the draft constitution, this procedure

was meant to give legitimacy to the document. However, for a
constitution to command the loyalty of the people it must be understood
by the people and at the same time it must be acceptable to them. The
people must also be made to identify themselves with the constitution.
Without this sense of identification, of attachment and involvement, a
constitution will remain remote, artificial object with no more real
existence than the paper on which it is written. The mere fact that
participation in the discussion of the draft constitution was restricted to
the literate population was a serious error in Nigeria’s attempt at
constitution making. In a country where over 80% of the populations
are illiterate, the publication of the draft constitution for public comment
would appear to be an exercise in window dressing. Those who
participated in the discussion were no more interested than those issues
that affect their corporate interests.
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3.3 Constituent Assembly
With reference to the composition of the Constituent Assembly, it was

clearly stated that all areas of interest which ought to partake in the
process of constitution making shall have adequate opportunity as
participants in the Constituent Assembly. There were two different
opinions on how the Constituent Assembly should be constituted.
(a) One view was that the Constituent Assembly must be popularly
elected. According to the advocate of this point of view, it is
claimed that the inherent and inseparable attribute of the
Constituent Assembly is that it must be composed of
representatives duly elected by the registered voters in the
country.
(b) The other point of view is presented in the proposal that the local
councils should be used as electoral colleges for purposes of
constituting the Assembly.
The view that the Constituent Assembly should be composed of elected

representatives is the ideal view. But the question we want of raise
against this view is, how feasible is the proposition in the light of time-
table given by the Military Government for the handing over of power to
the civilian. It is also questionable whether any popular election could
throw up the calibre of men who will be able to do justice to the draft
constitution. The problems raised by the election through local council
are three-fold:
(i) The system of indirect election used in some of the states in the
country militated against popular will.
(ii) The second problem is that, a substantial group of articulate and
informed Nigerians (e.g. Civil Servants and Teachers) were
banned from contesting the election.
(iii) The third problem is that, the local councils themselves did not
have enough time to establish public confidence.
3.4 Roles Envisaged for the Constituent Assembly
The legislation setting up the Constituent Assembly provided in section

(I) that the body shall have full powers to deliberate upon the draft
constitution. However, the explanatory note of the decree provided that
the Assembly was to have full powers to:
deliberate; and
enact the draft constitution of Nigeria drawn up by the CDC.
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But to deliberate and enact are two separate duties and in any case an
explanatory note does not form any part of the legislation. The military
administration however had a limited conception of the powers of the
Constituent Assembly. In the view of the military administration, a
Constituent Assembly was to discuss draft constitution and come out
with recommendations which will then be taken to the then Supreme
Military Council and thereafter, a decree on the subject on the
constitution of Nigeria would be considered and promulgated. The
procedure followed by the Military administration left room for
interference at the level of SMC. The administration therefore opened
itself up to the accusation of imposing and approving a constitution
meant for a civilian era. As a matter of fact, the constitution has been
referred to in some quarters not as a product of free-will of Nigerians
but rather as a Military Constitution.
3.5 The Alternatives

The first alternative is that the document should have been submitted to
referendum for general public approval or rejection. There is a problem
with this alternative. It arises from the fact that it will be a grand deceit
to seek the approval of people 80% of whom can not read or will ever
bother to read the constitution.
The second alternative of course is that the Constituent Assembly should

have had the final word on the constitution.
4.0 CONCLUSION
The history of constitutional development in Nigeria has been
highlighted. Available evidence shows that Nigerian has been trying to
fashion a constitution that will accommodate the diverse elements that
make up the country.
5.0 SUMMARY
We have been able to establish how the various constitutions were made
in colonial and post-colonial Nigeria. We concluded with the 1979
Constitution which we belief was modified in the 1989 and 1999
Constitutions.

i. Explain the reasons why the colonial constitutions were not
drawn up by Nigerians.
ii. Discuss the role of the Constituent Assembly in the 1979
Constitution making process.
iii. Is the 1979 Constitution the people’s constitution?
107
Awolowo, O. (1969). The People’s Republic. Ibadan: Oxford University

Press.
Coleman, James (1958). Nigeria Background to Nationalism. Berkley

Cali: University of California Press.
Furnivall, J. S. (1943). Colonial Policy and Practice. Cambridge

University Press.
Nwabueze, O. (1973). Constitutionalism in the Emerging States.

London: C. Hurst & Co. Publishers Ltd.
Nwabueze, O. (1974). Presidentialism in Commonwealth Africa.

London: C. Hurst & Co. Publishers Ltd.
The Federalism Papers. (1961). The New American Library Inc. New
York.
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PAD 204 MODULE 3
UNIT 2 POLITICS AND SOCIAL CHANGE: REFORMS,

REVOLUTIONS AND MILITARY COUPS
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Types of Change
3.2 What Leads to Political and Social Change?
3.3 The Differences between Coup Detat and Revolution
3.4 Characteristics of the New States
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Political and social change refers to the varying change in human

behaviour and institutions, in response to stimuli from society and the
power relations between social groups. What then is change? What
makes it necessary? What are the different forms of change? Change is
the different in process, form and structure in response to certain stimuli
or factors. Therefore, political and social changes are caused by certain
factors or reasons in which men struggle to effect change with the hope
that it will make life better for the majority of people living in society.
If politics is defined as “who gets What, When and how”, the political
change has to do with changes in who gets what, when and how.
Changes in human behaviour towards constituted authority, in the state,
in leadership, in political institutions and structures. Therefore, a
change in government is a form of political change, just as a change in
form of government, for instance, change from a Monarchical regime to
a Republican regime is a from of political change, just as independence
from colonial rule. Social change, is a much wider concept, used in
refererign to very important changes in human societies, human
behaviour – his values, his culture, his norms and inter-group relations,
and human organisations all in response to a given set of stimuli. Social
change is pervasive, leading to fundamental changes in a people’s life,
their attitudes, expectations and goals. In some cases, social change
takes place along side political change in what is often called a
Revolution but at times it does not.
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2.0 OBJECTIVES
• explain the reasons for changes in the political system

• differentiate between a coup d’etat and a revolution
• describe the characteristics of African new states after
independence.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Types of Change
There are two broad forms of change, politically and socially speaking,
violent and non-violent change. Violent change is often viewed as an
illegal, unconstitutional act and bloody method of effecting change.
Examples are military coup d’etat, mass insurrection or uprisings
involving the use of fire-arms, and mass revolution. Such changes were
common in the 18th and 19th century Europe, the classic French and
American Revolutions, and the 1917 Great October Socialist Revolution
which took place in Russia turning it from a semi-feudal backward
empire into a socialist superpower within a period of forty years. In the
20th Century the bulk of violent changes have occurred in the Third
World countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America which are struggling
to embark on the path of development.
Peaceful change on the other hand is change that does not involve any
violence or the spilling of blood. It often takes the form of constitutional
changes through the ballot box or the electoral process. It follows laid
down procedures and relies often on the goodwill of the people
concerned and a desire to abide by the wishes of the majority. Thus,
governments can be changed peacefully through the ballot box, and
government officials removed in accordance with the popular will.
Such change also involves the use of peaceful demonstrations, petitions,
campaigns and moral persuasion to demand for change. Such acts are
common in the insdustrialised countries such as France, England, U.S.
A., Japan, etc.
However, a peaceful change does not often lead to fundamental, deep or

structural changes in society, rather they lead to reforms. Reforms are
therefore, modifications or slight changes in the political and social
structure of the society. It often aims at making a series of adjustments
that would make the political and social system more efficient and
stable.
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Examples are the social policies introduced in the U.S. under President
Reagan and President Ibrahim Babangida’s MAMSER. Reforms are
also called ‘Revolutions from above’ since the changes are induced by
the political leadership that is, from the top leaving the power structure
intact.
Revolution or violent change is often the ‘revolution from below’ often

carried out by and justified in the name of the oppressed and exploited
majority who seek to break the chains of bondage and regain their
freedom and dignity. According to W.F. Wetheim, “Revolution is
aimed at the overthrow of an existing social order and of a prevalent
power structure.’ Thus, it is a process of socio-political transformation
or change which must be differentiated from a coup d’etat, strike or acts
of assassination. Since the coup d’etat is aimed primarily at political
change i.e. a change in the political leadership, it is not a revolution.
According to Chalmers Johnson, revolutions are primarily social

phenomena which arise from the failure of society to meet the demands
put upon it. This is the liberal or behavioural position. On the other
hand, the Radical or Marxist position conceptualizes revolution
differently. To cite the famous passage from Marx:
“…At a certain stage of their development, the material

productive forces of society come into conflict with the
existing relations of production on-what is but a legal
expression for the same thing-with the property relations
within which they have been at work hitherto. From all
forms to development of the productive forces, these
relations turn into fetters. Then begins an epoch of social
revolution”.
For Karl Marx, the most important relations of production are those
between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat (Capital and Labour) as such
the contradictions in relations between the exploiter class of capitalists
and the exploited workers would get to a point where it can only be
resolved by a revolution in which the proletariat would overthrow the
class of capitalists, destroy capitalist political structures, the capitalist
state, and oppressive relations of production and establish a new
socialist state, with new structures and new relations of production. It is
therefore not surprising that V. I. Lenin, a Marxist, a father of the
Russian revolution stated that “the transfer of state power from one class
to another class is the first, the principal, the basic sign of revolution”.
From the radical perspective therefore, a revolution is a mass movement

directed at change in order to put an end to mass exploitation,
oppression, poverty and misery. Perhaps, the most comprehensive
111
definition is that by C. B. Macpherson, which conceptualized revolution

as the
…transfer of state power by means involving the use of

threat of organized unauthorized force, the subsequent
consolidation of that transferred power, with a view to
bringing about a fundamental change in social, economic
and political institutions.
3.2 What Leads to Political and Social Changes?
According to Chalmers Johnson’s explanation, political and social

change is the outcome of failures in the political system, and the failure
of society to respond to demands put on it.
This approach sees change as the outcome of the failure of the political
leadership to act decisively to ensure the stability of the political system;
and is directed at preventing change. As such its analytical value has
been doubted and criticized.
Change is also the outcome of the failure of rulers to respond to the

demands of the people, and becomes inevitably violent when all legal
channels for demands for reform have been blocked. As reforms, socio-
political change can be the outcome of the need to modify and adjust the
state and society in order to guarantee peace and stability, and make the
system work better.
Usually, social frustration could be explored by a well-organised

opposition united around a common ideology or programme which
offers an alternative to the existing undesired status quo. In some cases,
change is accompanied by violence since the ruling elite and
government resists change, which would make them loose authority,
wealth and power.
From the radical position, revolutions arise from the material conditions
in a given society. When there is exploitation of many by the few, it gets
to a point when the contradictions “burst asunder” and the exploited rise
up against and defeat their exploiters thereby laying the basis for a new
society when man is free; where the quality of life is better, where the
basic necessities of life are guaranteed to everybody. Examples of such
revolutions are those of Cuba, the U.S.A., Vietnam, the then U.S.S.R.,
China, Nicaragua and Iran.
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3.3 The Differences between Coup Detat and Revolution
COUP D’ETAT REVOLUTION

1. Mainly to effect political change 1. To effect socio-political
in leadership. change, i.e. social
transformation.
2. Highly, enclavistic, the work of a 2. The result of popular
clique of conspirators working mobilization of an oppressed
secretly to overthrow an existing people over a period of time,
government or existing with a large scale
individuals in a government. organization, strategy and
tactics.
3. Relies mainly on the Armed 3. The target is often to
Forces and public sympathy overthrow existing socio-
political and economic order.
It often relies on the people
and the Vanguard Party or
Mass Movement
4. Could be the result of external 4. Mainly the result of internal
forces and intervention on factors mainly social
behalf of, and in support of frustration, corruption,
local allies, e.g. U.S poverty, dictatorship,
intervention in Chile, and oppression. But receive
Grenada, Tanzania’s, inspiration from successful
intervention in Uganda, in order revolution, elsewhere.
to toust Idi Amin.
5. Relies on circumstance, change 5. Carried out by threats,
and elaborate planning sabotage, propaganda or even
with strategic places as armed insurrection. And
targets – airports, seaports, often based on an ideology
radio/TV stations, military which is built around
installations and freedom, social justice, truth,
communications network. equality and democracy, as
an alternative to decadent
status quo.
6. Can take place during period of 6. Exploits public frustration,
wealth. Takes place at night to can break out at any time.
reduce the possibility of civilian
causalities.
7. Leads mainly to reforms aimed at 7. Leads to social transformation.
stabilizing the political system.
Explain the reasons for reforms revolutions and coup d’etats.
113
3.3 Characteristics of the New States
A new state is one, which has recently acquired political independence,

and has political control over its own affairs. The absence of a ‘Nation-
state’ is the root of instability in most of African countries. For example,
the new state of Nigeria, which came into existence in October 1960,
consists of many “nations” such as the Yorubas, Ibos, Hausas, Ogonis,
Edos, Ibibios, Tivs, Fulanis, etc.
At independence in most African states, the political perspectives and

attitudes to authority were still very much shaped by the experiences of
the traditional system, which had prevailed for centuries before the
colonial contacts. However, under colonial rule, some of these attitudes
and political institutions were transformed while new ones were created
to support the colonial state.
In the ‘scramble for Africa’ of the 1880’s and 1890’s, the present day
boundaries of the new states were born in partition between the British,
the French, the Portuguese, the Belgian, Spanish and others. The results
of such ad hoc and intense competition among the European powers was
the enclosure of several traditional units (people) into a particular
colonial territory and thus creating the future problem of cultural
pluralism for the New States. This pluralism – the existence of loyalties
to groups based upon shared religion, race, tribe or language – now
poses a major danger to the very existence of the new states. Nationhood
– the achievement of a full and overriding commitment to the state from
its inhabitants against the demands of sub-national loyalties – does not
exist in most cases.
In most parts of Africa affected by non-settler colonial domination,

colonial rule did not sweep away existing patterns of behaviour. Rather,
in social terms, the bringing together of workers from different areas
with different traditions tended to increase awareness of individuals as
well as group differences. Similarly, in administrative terms, separation
was strengthened by the politics pursued by the colonial authorities.
Thus, under a system of ‘Indirect Rule’ the British employed the
existing patterns of control and communication (in Northern Nigeria) to
rule large numbers of colonial subjects without the expense of creating
their own administrative machinery. Thus, where an existing ruler
seemed moderately efficient and suitably pliable to British pressures, the
traditional structure was maintained and given the backing of the
colonial state (authority). And where such ruler was found hustle to
British pressures, he was removed and replaced by a puppet ruler.
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In the colonial and post-colonial period, many of the traditional values

were shattered because of the creation of a new economic order in which
subsistence rural agriculture was replaced by the production of cash
crops for an international market either on plantations or by peasant
producers. Finally, the introduction of Western education led to rest
ratification in which status came to be based upon such modern
characteristics as income, education and skill, and position in the new
power structure.
Throughout the African continent, the claims by the elite to some form
of recognition as a result of educational achievements were rejected
because of an overwhelming paternalism of the colonial administrators.
Thus, because they could not secure genuine equality with Europeans in
social, economic or political terms – the members of this elite
determined to respect Kwame Nkrumah’s dictum of ‘seeking first the
political kingdom and everything else will be added to you’
consequently led to the anti-colonial nationalism.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Change is an inevitable form of political existence. Change politically

and socially speaking can either take violent or nonviolent means.
Change comes about as result of a disruption in equilibrium in the social
system.
5.0 SUMMARY
We have briefly defined what reform, Coup d’etat and revolution are.
We also explained what bring about social and political change. We
emphasized the difference between Coup d’etat and revolutions. We
also examined the features of Africa new states.
i. Discuss the features of Africa new states.

ii. What external factors contribute to any particular coup known to
you?
iii. What impact has the military made in solving socio-economic
and political problems in Africa?
iv. Distinguish between military coups and a revolution.
115
Almond, G. A. and Coleman, J. S. eds. (1960). The Politics of the

Developing Areas. Princeton.
Huntington, S. P. (1957). The Solider and the State. Cambridge: Mass.
Finkle, J. L. and Gable, R. W. (ed) (1966). Political Development and

Social Change (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley.
Johnson, J. J. ed. (1962). The Rule of the Military in Underdeveloped

Countries. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Ojo, Abiola (1985). Constitutions and Constitutional Changes in Nigeria

since Independence: in J. A. Atanda and A. Y. Aliyu (eds),
Proceedings of the National Conference on Nigeria since
Independence, Vol. 1 Political Development; Wing, The Panel on
Nigeria since Independence History Project.
Pye, Lucian W. (1961). Armies in the Process of Political

Modernisation. New York.
Shelleng, Abdullahi (Major Gen). ‘The Nigeria Army in the Civil War’
in T. N. Tamuno (ed.). Proceedings of the National Conference
on Nigeria since Independence Vol. III. The Civil War Years.
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PAD 204 MODULE 3
UNIT 3 THE NATURE OF AFRICAN ARMIES
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Causes of Military Intervention
3.2 External Factors Influencing Military Take-Over
3.3 Impact of Military Rule
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In looking at the Nature of African Armies, what we are really

examining is the ‘failure of the military in Government’. According to
Robin Luckham in ‘The Nigerian Military’, African armies were at first
‘mercenary’ armies. Luckham means that sub-Saharan African armies
were created, organised and trained under colonial tutelage. Further,
armies which were created by the colonial powers were used to establish
the rule of the colonial powers. The army also existed as a visible
demonstration to the populace of the coercion which was the ultimate
basis of colonial rule. Initially therefore, one can say, that African
armies had very little concern with the defence of the state, this was left
to the metropolitan powers. Finally, upholding the status quo was the
prime concern of armies in sub-Saharan Africa.
Bretton in his ‘Power and Class in Africa’ makes the important point
that the armies of sub-Saharan Africa have not yet completed the
transition from colonial auxiliary to principal instrument of power and
control. In looking at the structure of the armed forces, Bretton found
that the officer corps’ are still in the process its formation; officers are
still subject to sudden, or occasional substantial and dramatical,
promotional changes. Military traditions as they bear on modern military
service are typically foreign to the armies of Africa.
Further, Bretton suggests that due to the relative under-development of

the African armies, the primary expectation of the officer corps, the
ranks and officer candidates are concerned with prompt promotion into
positions to be vacated by Europeans. Moreover, because such things as
houses and pensions had to be bargained for, African armies became
highly politicized prior to and after independence. Consequently, in
117
pursuit of these goals few of the armed forces, says Bretton, could fall
back on the time-hounoured rationale of national defense.
Ruth First in her book “The Barrel of A Gun” makes a number of

interesting comments as to why the military began to interfere in the
political process. The early army coups according to First, concerned
with pay strikes, to secure better condition for the army. Later, coups
however, embodies larger political objectives and initiated through
military take-over of governments, or extracted something from the old
one. Regardless as to whether a distinction is drawn between the earlier
coups and the later ones, the conclusion which one will arrive at is that
their objectives constituted what could be loosely termed sectional, as
the whole of society would not benefit materially or otherwise from
their action. This is also one of the reasons why when the military plays
the role of government it performs no better than the civilians it
replaced.
Ruth First also puts forward the theory which is given a more detailed
consideration by Luckham; that the internal characteristics of the army
account for the inability of the army to rule as a united body.
Accordingly, “Once in power, the army divides”. There are a number of

plausible reasons as to why this is the case. The general agreement,
however, is that once the military does not possess an ideology through
which it can define its policy and make decisions in terms of military
procedures, they soak up social conflict. Armies throughout the
continent have shown that they are no less prone to divisive loyalties as
are politicians and parties. Once the political system divides on
communal lines, the division will take the army in power with it. What
is very important here is that the seizure of power itself destroys the
strongest unifying feature of the army.
In addition, there exist acute societal and military factionalism which

inevitably binds the hands of the leaders in the armed forces for they
have to remain vigilant in order to prevent plots against their continued
rule. By allowing a mixture of civilian and military actors in the
political sphere, it had not come as a great surprise to find that demands
within society and the government ultimately militates against any
meaningful societal programmed economic development or the creation
of a stable political system.
Explain the nature of African armies.
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Another dimension which has been developed by S. Decalo in his book

“Coup and Army Rule in Africa” is the idea known as the Managerial
brokerage system. According to Decalo in this type of system, “the
military comes to power in order to arbitrate disputes among various
sectors of society, such as the politicians, the civil servants and the
labour unions. What the word “arbitrate” means is that the concern is
not with the social or political mobilisation or development of the
masses, but with how much of the ‘national cake’ each section of the
ruling group will get. Once in power, the military continues to see its
primary function as moderating and managing conflict. The stress in the
type of system is mainly on the economic, for the stability and
development of a meaningful type to take place; equal stress must be
given to political and social factors as well as the economic ones.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• explain the nature of African armies

• explain the causes of military intervention in most African States
• describe the achievements of the military while in power.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT

3.1 Causes of Military Intervention (Coup D’etat)
No military coups are ever the same, nor are the situations in which they
take place identical. Each coup has its own characteristics, motivations,
objectives and class or tribal characters as well as its own specific
relationship to external factors. According to Jack Woddis in his book
“Armies and Politics”, the actions of military officers in recent years
have taken place at a stage of world history in which the forces progress,
of socialism, and national liberation are becoming stronger, while the
forces of reaction, fuedalism and imperialism are becoming weaker.
The causes of military coups in Third World countries, and especially

Africa, have to do with the weakness of the political structures and
processes in all post-colonial states, and institutional role of the military
in these societies. Since the military are the traditional guards of the
state, they intervene in the political process as a means of arresting
political instability and ensuring the integrity of the country any time
this is threatened as a result of political and social tensions.
Secondly, the military are the only institution which can force
themselves into power as an organised unit without much opposition
since they possess the monopoly of the instruments of violence and can
confront any threat of resistance to their intervention.
119
Thirdly, the military often justify their intervention as being based on

the national interest baptizing themselves as “corrective regimes” which
have come to put an end to political mis-rule and social crises.
However, some military regimes soon prove to be as corrupt as the
regime they overthrew and their reforms gave way to intolerance and
totalitarianism or dictatorship.
Fourthly, military intervention is the outcome of the politicization of the

military institution itself. This is brought about by the civilians
involving the military in their (civilians) struggle for power and control.
As a result, the military tasted power, know its implications and get out
of their traditional role of protection of the state, to become “politicians
in uniforms”, gaining and wielding power; and seeking to retain it.
Fifthly, it could be the result of the military elite under the leadership of
ambitious and power-hungry individuals who seek control of
government in order to pursue their personal interest or those of the
dominant (exploiter) class, ethnic group, religious group or international
imperialist interests. It must be pointed out that not all coups aim at
reform or political office, some of them do signal the beginning of a
revolution, and a new socio-political order. A few examples in Africa
Muammer Ghaddafi’s coup in Libya in 1969 against the monarchy led
by King Idris and transforming Libya into a People’s Jamahiriyya;
Nasser’s Coup in Egypt, and Mengistu Haile Mariams coup in Ethiopia
on the road to socialism. The objective of socialism has since failed in
Ethiopia.
Sixthly, intervention could be in the corporate interest of the military.

To remove a government that is hurting the military through reduced
defense spending and embarrassment of the military as an institution.
Intervention also becomes inevitable when existing governance shows

utter disregard for the popular will, flagrantly abuses power and engages
in electoral fraud causing mass discontent and oppression both of which
generates violent reactions from the masses.
Lastly, military intervention has unfortunately become a permanent

feature of Third World politics. With their weak states and economics,
these neo-colonial regimes are often destabilized by competing local
elites struggling to assert control over the state, in collaboration with
imperialist powers which seek to control the resources of the state. So,
more often than not the military arise in a neo-colonial arrangement with
imperialism to dominate and exploit their people by the force of
institutionalized and organized monopoly of the weapons of violence,
against which most opposition fall, are silenced or driven underground
into exile.
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In order to analyse why coups take place, we must differentiate three

basic premises.
1. There are coups of a progressive character – e.g. Egypt, 1952;

Iraq 1958; Libya 1957; Somalia, 1969; Ethiopia, 1974; etc.
2. There are reactionary coups which preempt a possible
progressive civilian government coming into power. Such
redemptive coup included Ayub Khan and Yayha Khan Coups in
Pakistan, Mobutu in Zaire, the Abacha’s coup in Nigeria, etc.
3. There are also coups of a clearly reactionary character which aim
at removing a progressive government. Examples include the
Ghanaian military overthrow of Kwame Nkruma, Surhato coup in
Indonesia, and the military junta coup against Salvador Allende
in Chile, Campore overthrow of Sankara in Burkina Fasso, etc.
Why do the Military intervene in African Politics?
3.2 External Factors Influencing Military Take Over

The present position of all African states is one of dependence on the
Western world economically and militarily. Most top military officers
throughout Africa have been trained by Europeans/Americans. Most of
the arms which we use for combat are either bought or given as aids to
African states. They have initially trained our military and other
intelligence services.
Consequently, it is quite easy for the British/Americans and other

imperialist states to seek and establish governments in Africa and the
Third World in general which will collaborate with them in exploiting
the African masses.
An equally important aim is to support or create allies, so as to nourish

the social forces on which governments friendly to the imperialist can be
based. Practically in the most reactionary military coups, the imperialist
have made use of existing situations, of current crisis, internal conflicts,
personal and social ambitions of groups and individuals to ensure its
own interests. In fact, today, “local allies, not agents, are the key” to
the continuous foreign influence throughout Africa. And this is more so
in both the political parties and the military.
Thus, imperialism seeks out those social forces, institutions, and

individuals whose short-term or long-term interest will place them on its
side (in fact providing traitors – with ‘a second loyalty’); it seeks out
and promotes those who may be committed to supporting imperialism
directly but who have not taken up a consistent and clear anti-imperialist
121
position; and who, it is therefore hoped, will stand in the way of the
most firm anti-Western, anti-Imperialist forces in a country.
It is with all these considerations in mind that the

West/European/America strives to influence the leading personnel in the
military establishment in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However,
the devil does not have its way all the time – the ability to succeed in a
particular coup now depends on the internal power balance. But
nevertheless, no group planning to stage a coup can afford to ignore the
external factors. Coup plotters must ask themselves one major question:
Whose interest (Economic, Strategic, Ideological) is Dominant in our
Country? Subsequently, efforts must be made to contact and if
necessary placate that dominant interest until the coup had been
successful and the new regime has the masses’ confidence.
3.3 Impact of Military Rule: Has it solved the Problems?
Although there are some controversies as to the impact of military rule,

it is generally agreed that military rule is an aberration, and should be a
temporary measure paving the way for a return to normal civil
democracy.
However, the record of military rule generally shows with a few rare
exceptions that it has not resolved the contradictions and socio-political
and economic problems facing post-colonial states. Apart from
institutional discipline and hierarchical command structure, the military
have proved to be slightly better than the civilian politicians. In some
other cases, they have been more corrupt and linked to the business class
and imperialism. Thus, military regimes have not solved the economic
problems neither have they carried out an industrial revolution that
would form the basis for socio-political change.
Secondly, most military regimes are dictatorial and do not alleviate the
exploitation or oppression under which the mass of the people suffer.
They are well known for the abuse of Human Rights, lack of press
freedom, forceful elimination of any opposition and the brutal
suppression of strikes, demonstrations and all forms of protests. A
notorious example is that of Uganda under Idi Amin, Sudan under El
Nimiery and the current regimes in Zaire and Nigeria to mention a few.
In some cases, the military have enriched themselves having become

part of the ruling elite and the oligarchy. In such cases, they have relied
on the use of state office to amass wealth; which often means that the
masses of the people are hardly taken care of.
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4.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, neither the military nor the civilians have fared much in
the transformation of post-colonial societies in Africa. This is because
the problems that confront these societies are fundamental in nature; and
go beyond forms of window dressing or the type of regime. In these
neo-colonial countries, (save for a few exceptions where military
intervention has been revolutionary leading to social transformation),
military intervention has become a game of musical chairs in which one
coup succeeds the other or displaces a corrupt civilian regime with
promise of reform which hardly ever lasts or indeed leads to
socio-political change in a fundamental sense.
5.0 SUMMARY
In thus Unit, you have learnt about the nature of African armies from
their colonial (Mercenary) origins to modern armies. You have also
learnt of the reasons for their intervention in politics. We can therefore
conclude that military intervention made little impact to the
development in Africa.

i. Explain the nature and origins of African armies?
ii. What are the causes of military intervention in Africa?
iii. Has military intervention modernize Africa States?

[
Decalo, S. (1979). Coups and Army Rule in Africa. New Haven: Yale
University Press.
Falola, Toyin & Julius, Ihonbevre (1985). The Rise and Fall of Nigeria’s
Second Republic. 1979 –84 (London: 2nd Press Limited).
First, Ruth (1970). The Barrel of a Gun. Penguine Books.
GuttCridge, W. (1975). Military Regimes in Africa. London: Methuen.
Kirk, Greene H. M. (ed.), (1967). Crisis and Conflict in Nigeria: A

Documentary Source Book, 1966-1967. London: Oxford
University Press.
Oyeleye, Oyediran (1979). Nigerian Government and Politics under

Military Rule, 1966-79. London: Macmillan.
Panter-Brick, K. (ed.) (1977). Soldiers and Oil: The Transformation of

Nigeria, London: Frank Cass.
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UNIT 4 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 What is Public Administration?
3.2 Approaches to the Study of Public Administration
3.3 Functions of Administration
3.4 Theories of Administration
3.5 From Human Relations to the Behavioural Movements
3.6 The Nigerian Civil Service
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Administration is a cooperative human action with a high degree of

rationality. Administration occurs when two or more persons agree to
perform a task in order to achieve an objective or goal.
Simon et al. defined administration simply as “when two men cooperate

to roll a stone that neither could have moved alone, the rudiments of
administration have appeared” the first ingredient of administration is
people. People have to be present before administration can take place.
The second ingredient of administration is action. People have to be
involved in a sort of activity – for example concerning rolling a stone,
the people must get involve in a sort of action to move the stone, it is
then that one can say administration has occurred.
The third ingredient is interaction people must combine their efforts in

one way or the other to achieve the accomplishment of a given task.
Administration therefore involves people, action, and interaction. It is a
process involving human beings jointly engaged in working toward
common goals. Administration is a universal phenomenon, as a concept
and as a process, it can be said to exist in government, in business, in
families and in other group interactions.
The focus of this section is on the public sector (i.e. the concern with
administration in government).
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2.0 OBJECTIVES
• explain what is meant as Public Administration

• describe the major theories, function and processes of Public
Administration.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 What is Public Administration?
At its fullest range, public administration embraces every area and

activity governed by public policy.
The central idea of public administration is rational action. Rational

action is defined as action correctly calculated to realize given desired
goals. Therefore, public administration both as a study and as an
activity is intended to maximize the realization of goals.
Public administration is said to be difficult to define. Yet some attention

to definition is important. It is necessary to establish the general
boundaries and to convey the major concerns of the discipline, and
practice of public administration. And again, the definition of public
administration helps to place the field in a broader, political, economic,
and social context.
Efforts at defining the concept of public administration have produced

the followings:
“Public administration is the action part of government, the means by

which the purposes and goals of government are realized” – Woodrow
Wilson (1887).
“Public administration is the organization and management of men and

materials to achieve the purpose of government” – Dwight Waldo
(1948).
“By public administration is meant in common usage, the activities of

the executive branches of national, state and local governments,
independent boards and commissions set up by the congress and state
legislatives; government corporations, and certain agencies of a
specialized character” – Simon et al.
“Public administration is the accomplishment of politically determined

objectives” – M. E. Dimock and G. O. Dimock.
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“Public administration is the means by which the purposes and goals of

government are realized” – Corson and Harris.
It follows from these definitions that public administration is an activity

that has to do with politics and policy-making. Its locus is the
governmental bureaucracy, and is therefore seen as the machinery for
implementing governmental policy. It covers all the three branches of
government; the executive, legislative, and judiciary and their
interrelationships.
The scope of public administration in its broadest form will include

policy analysis, the identification of options, programme
implementation and a constant pre-occupation with the efficient
allocation of resources.
The purpose of public administration is to promote a superior

understanding of government and its relationship with the society it
governs, as well as to encourage public policies more responsive to
social needs and to institute managerial practices attuned to
effectiveness, efficiency, and the deeper human requisites of the
citizenry.
3.2 Approaches to the Study of Public Administration
There are namely three approaches to the study of public administration.
(1) Legal – historical approach

(2) Structural – descriptive approach
(3) Behavioural approach
Legal – historical approach looks at the formal relationship among the

levels of government. Federal – state and local governments.
Structural – descriptive approach emphasizes the relevance of business

methods and motivations for public administration. This approach
restricts the field of study to organization and personnel management.
Behavioural – approach is concerned with the systematic study of

human behaviour in an organization. The analysis of the behaviour of
individuals and group is the focus. (groups in organizations, motivation,
leadership style, etc.)
3.3 Functions of Administration

All administrative work involve, planning, organizing, leading and
controlling. Each of these functions requires decisions. Decision
making is the means by which administrators plan, organize, lead and
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control. It is defined as the selection of a preferred course of action

from two or more alternatives.
Two types of decision have been identified.
(i) Decision concerning the ends (that is the goals).

(ii) Decision concerning the means (that is the methods).
The decision concerning ends has to do with the basic goals/objective of

the organization, and it involves value judgment as to what they should
be. The decision concerning the means relates to the selection of
alternatives courses of action that will lead to the attainment of specified
goals.
The alternatives are usually selected on the basis of rationality. For a

decision-maker to be rational, he must conform to the following steps in
decision-making process.
Steps in the Decision-Making Process
1. Ascertain the need for a decision

2. Establish decision criteria
3. Allocate weights to criteria
4. Develop alternatives
5. Evaluate alternatives
6. Select the best alternative
Step 1: Ascertain the need for a Decision
The decision-making process starts by determining that a problem

exists. (Identification of the problem)
Step 2: Establish Decision Criteria
After identifying the problem, the administrator must establish decision

criteria. This requires identifying those characteristics that are important
in making the decision.
Step 3: Allocate Weights to Criteria
The list of criteria is prioritized at this stage. Each criterion need to be

weighted to reflect its importance in the decision.
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Step 4: Develop Alternatives
The administrator develops a list of the alternatives that may be viable in

dealing with the stated problem.
Step 5: Evaluate alternatives
Once the alternatives have been enumerated, the administrator must

critically evaluate each of the alternatives listed to determine their
strengths ad weaknesses.
Step 6: Select the best Alternative
This is the final step and it involves the selection of the best alternative,
which has quantitatively been determined.
Functions of administration listed earlier; planning, organization,

leading and controlling, therefore involves taking decision.
Planning - is determining in advance of the objectives to be

accomplished and the means by which these objectives are to be
attained.
Planning begins with the establishment of objectives “where you are

going”. Hence, objectives need to cover economic, service, and social
dimensions of the organization and set the parameters by which
administrators can determine if the ongoing activities of members are
making positive contributions to the organization.
Organizing – This is the establishment of relationships between the

activities to be performed, the personnel to perform them, and the
physical factors that are needed.
Leading – Basically, leading consists of supervision, motivation,

communication, bringing about change, and managing conflict within
the organization. An essential ingredient for these tasks is effective
leadership.
Controlling – The administrator here, reviews, regulate, and controls

performance to ensure that it conforms to certain standards. In the
control function, performance is measured, compared to standards
(which would have been set during planning) and should there be
significant deviations, corrective actions are instituted.
Decision-making and the activities of planning, organizing, leading, and

controlling are what differentiate administrators from non-
administrators.
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Define Public Administration and explain various approaches to its

study.
3.4 Theories of Administration
Organizations are a major part of our environment. We are born in

organizations, educated by organizations, and we spend most of our
times working for organizations. Organizations are social units
(or human groupings) deliberately constructed and reconstructed to seek
specific goals (Amitai Etzioni).
Organizations:
1. are purposeful, complex human collectivities;

2. are characterized by secondary (or impersonal) relationships;
3. have specialized and limited goals;
4. are characterized by sustained cooperative activity;
5. are integrated within a larger social system;
6. provide services and products to their environment;
7. are dependent upon exchanges with their environment.
Organizations are characterized by:
(1) division of labour, power, and communication responsibilities,

divisions which are not random or traditionally patterned, but
deliberately planed to enhance the realization of specific goals;
(2) the presence of one or more power centers which control the
concerted efforts of the organization and direct them toward its
goals; these power centers also must review continuously the
organization’s performance and re-pattern its structure, where
necessary, to increase efficiency;
(3) substitution of personnel, that is, unsatisfactory persons can be
removed and others assigned their tasks. Organization can also
recombine its personnel through transfer and promotion.
The search for greater effectiveness and efficiency in organizations gave

rise to the classical theory of administration. Essentially, classical
theory was developed in three streams, scientific management,
administrative theory, and bureaucracy.
Classical Theory
The classical writers thought of the organization in terms of its purposes

and formal structure. They placed emphasis on the following:
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1. planning of work
2. technical requirement of the organization
3. principles of management
4. assumption of rational and logical behaviour.
The analysis of organization in this manner is associated with work

carried out by such writers as Taylor, Fayol, Urwick and Gullick among
others.
A clear understanding of the purpose of an organization is seen as

essential to understanding how the organization works and how its
methods of working can be improved. Attention is given to the division
of work, the clear definition of duties and responsibilities, and
maintaining specialization and coordination. Emphasis is on a hierarchy
of management and formal organizational relations.
Scientific Management
Scientific management writers were concerned with the improvement of

management as a means of increasing productivity. A major contributor
to this approach was Frederick Taylor. He believed in the rational
economic needs concept of motivation. Workers would be motivated by
getting the highest possible wages through working in the most efficient
and productive way. Taylor was also concerned with finding more
efficient methods and procedures for coordinating and control of work.
The central theme of ‘Taylorism’ was that it is possible for

organizations to be more efficient and more rational. This could be made
possible through the application of scientific method and planning to the
tasks of organizations. Taylor pursued the idea that efficiency at work
could be improved through careful scientific analysis.
He therefore developed core principles of scientific management:
(a) Scientific selection of personnel - Workers should be

scientifically selected according to physical, mental and
psychological attributes.
(b) Incentives - Taylor thought of men as mechanical and motivated
by economic considerations. He therefore proposed a differential
piece rate in which a worker was paid in direct proportion to how
much he or she produced rather than simply according to a basic
hourly rate.
(c) Functional foremanship - Taylor advocated the division of the
entire work of an organization, into managerial and non-
managerial categories.
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Taylor’s writing at least gave a major impetus to the development of

modern management thinking and the later development of
organizational behaviour.
Administrative Management Theory
Administrative theory concerned itself with the action of ‘administrative

efficiency’. Administrative management is also known as ‘generic
management’, ‘functional’ or ‘process management’. It sought to
achieve efficiency by improving work arrangement and suggested an
ideal for organization structure along the lives of (a) scalar level, (b)
span of control or supervision (c) line and staff, departmentalisation,
e.t.c., classified also were managerial activities or processes into
planning, organizing and controlling.
Fayol with other contributors like Mooney, Urwick, Gullick, Folliet

among others believed that they could fashion a more comprehensive set
of principles for arranging the formal structure of administration in order
to achieve efficiency.
‘Henri Fayol, the main proponent of the administrative management

theory, focused on the management and come up with his own
principles of management. To Fayol management functions include;
planning, organization, command, coordination and control.
Feature of his theory includes:
1. Deductive theory.
2. Organization is seen as a close system.
3. Emphasis on objectivity, rationality, hierarchy, certainty and
professionalism.
4. Order as the bedrock of formal organization
5. Focus on management
6. Prescription of universal scientific principles to achieve the goals
of organization.
Principles of management as developed by Henri Fayol include:
i) Division of work
ii) Authority and responsibility
iii) Discipline
iv) Unity of command
v) Unity of direction
vi) Subordination of individual to general interest
vii) Pay
viii) Centralization
ix) Hierarchy
x) Order
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xi) Equity
xii) Stability
xiii) Initiative
xiv) Spirit de corps
Fayol’s writing on the principles of management set the pace for others
to follow, change and restructure them. Gullick and Urwick came up
with the acronym POSDCORB:
Planning: Working out in broad outline the methods for accomplishing

them.
Organizing: establishing the formal structure of the enterprise.
Staffing: the personnel function
Directing: decision making and communicating orders.
Coordinating: interrelating the various parts of the work
Reporting: supplying information through record keeping, research,

inspection.
Budgeting: fiscal planning, accounting, and control.
Mooney and Reiley in their principles of organizations have also

contributed to this school of thought. The four principles of
organization according to them are;
(i) the coordinative principle

(ii) the scalar principle (or hierarchical structure)
(iii) the functional principle (or division of labor) and
(iv) the staff/line principle.
The general approach of these theorists can be summarized as follows;

they see the work of an administrator as that of planning, organizing,
controlling, command, and coordinating. Concepts of authority,
leadership, responsibility and accountability are used to relate to
organizational units. They identified various bases such as product,
service, client or geographical area for creating organizational units to
divide the organization.
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Bureaucracy
The growth of bureaucracy has come about through the increasing size
and complexity of organization and the associated demand for effective
administration.
Bureaucracy as a concept appears difficult to define. The term is

employed in a large variety of contexts.
Bureaucracy can be applied to:
(i) A state administration – Government organizations

(ii) A group of officials in an organization who carry out
administrative tasks on contract-employment basis.
(iii) Administrative autocracy, where official exert power in order to
enhance and serve their interests and goals.
(iv) Rational organization, that is in accordance with the Weber’s
type of structure.
Max Weber, the famous sociologist was the first to advance a systematic
theory of bureaucratic organization. Weber analyzed bureaucracy as an
ideal type derived from the most characteristic bureaucratic features of
all known organizations. He emphasized the importance of
administration based on expertise and administration based on
discipline.
Characteristics of Bureaucracy
1. Division of Labour and Specialization. Division of labor is the

essential hallmark of bureaucracy. The job of every employee is
broken down into simple, operational and routine and
well-defined tasks. It results in efficiency in operations because
when people are employed on routine tasks over certain period of
time they would be specialized in their fields. Specialization
results in efficiency; efficiency, in turn, leads to effectiveness.
2. Impersonality. Another notable feature of bureaucracy is the

impersonality of relationships among the organizational
members. The decisions are entirely guided by rules and
regulations and are totally impersonal. There is no room for
emotions and sentiments in this type of organizational structure.
The essence of bureaucracy is total depersonalization. Weber’s
ideal official is characterized by the spirit of formalistic
impersonality, without hatred or passion without affection of
enthusiasm. Though such concept of impersonality is oblivious
to environmental reality, Weber contends that the bureaucrats
133
make completely rational decisions avoiding emotional

attachment to their subordinates.
3. Hierarchy of Authority. Another important feature of Weberian

bureaucracy is the authority structure. Authority is the right to
command and exact obedience. Authority is organizational and
positional but not personal. Since the bureaucratic structure is
like a pyramid the quantum of authority increases as one moves
up the ladder in the organization.
The hierarchy serves as line of communication and command,

and a means for delegating tasks. People at the higher levels
command more authority than at lower rungs. In bureaucratic
organization, thus, the hierarchy of authority is fundamental
feature. It is fundamental because without specified lines of
authority and jobs the organization become a mere collection of
people placed in disorder.
4. Professionalism and Technical Competence. An outstanding

feature of bureaucracy is the recruitment of personnel based on
the technical competence, expertise, skills, and experiences, etc.
In bureaucracy the officialdom constitutes salaried professionals
who are recruited by virtue of their technical training and
competence. Competence is the essential qualification of decision
makers. Managers are autonomous within their spheres of
competence and their decisions are generally accepted by the
management.
5. Rules, Regulations and Official Records. One essential and

often emphasized feature is the set of formal rules and regulations
in the organisation of bureaucratic type. A rational approach to
organization calls for a system of maintaining rules to ensure
twin requirements of uniformity and coordination of efforts by
individual members in an organization. Rules are permanent in
this type whereas personnel may change. Organization generally
frames rules in such a fashion that they are more or less stable
and more or less exhaustive. Rules and regulations provide
organization the benefits of stability, continuity and
predictability.
6. Official Records. Bureaucratic organization is characterized by

the maintenance of good and proper official records. The
decisions and activities in the organization are formally recorded
and preserved safely for future reference. This is made possible
by extensive filing system. Written documentation and formal
filing root out the possibility of loopholes in the oral
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communication among the organizational members. An official

record is considered as the encyclopedia of the various activities
performed or undertaken by the employees in the organization.
Records also provide running commentary of the activities that
are taking place in day-to-day organizational life.
7. Career Tracks for Employees. Bureaucratic organization

requires employment of full-time staff. Employees view their
jobs as career and try to acquire thorough knowledge of it and
gradually specialize in their respective fields. The tenure of
services of the employees is determined by the prescribed rules
and regulations in the organization. Members pursue a career in
the organization; in return for this career commitment employees
have tenure. They will be retained even if they burn out their
candle of skills or when the skills they possess become obsolete.
Organization provides some sort of cushion for the employees
and hence the members will have stake in the organization to the
extent of their careers.(Rao and Narayana).
The combined effect of the characteristics of bureaucracy is to create

social conditions which constrain each member of the organization to
act in ways that further the rational pursuit of organizational objectives.
Max Weber discussed the use of bureaucracy at length in his study of

the state – How useful is bureaucracy today?
3.5 From Human Relations to the Behavioural Movements
Essentially, the Human relations developed as a necessary correction to

the excesses of classical theory. While classical theories emphasized
order, rationality, structure, specialization and generally viewed
employees as economic tools, human relations conceived organization
as a social system. According to the human relations school, an
organization should be viewed as a social system which has both
economic and social dimensions.
Essential features of Human Relations/Neo-classical include:
(i) Human relations strive to create a positive work environment in

which people can simultaneously fulfill their own needs as well
as those of the organization. The goals of productivity and
employee satisfaction are inextricably interwoven.
135
(ii) The focus is on people. When people/management stimulates

more and better work, we have sound human relations in the
organization.
(iii) The ultimate goal of creating sound human relations is to help

make workers more productive, not just happier. Human
relations are essentially concerned with motivating people to peak
performance.
(iv) Human relations seek to build human cooperation toward

organizational goals in an effective way, that is, with minimum
inputs in relation to outputs. It is an action oriented process.
The Human Relations School taught that it is necessary to relate work ad

the organizational structure to the social needs of the employees.
Human relationists argue that by making the employee happy, the
organization would obtain their full cooperation and effort and thus
increase its efficiency. By conceiving organization as a social system
the human relations school stressed the need for a rigorous examination
of psychological and social aspects of organizational behaviour.
The results of the Hawthorne experiments of the human relations school

and the subsequent attention given to the social organization and to
theories of individual motivation gave rise to the work of those writers
in the 1950s and 1960s who adopted a more psychological orientation.
Among these writers were; McGregor, Maslow, Herzberg, Lewin,
Argyris, Likert among others. The major focus of concern was the
personal adjustment of the individual within the work organization, and
the effects of group relationships and leadership styles.
Abraham Maslow one of the proponents of this government put forward

a theoretical framework of individual personality development and
motivation based on a hierarchy of human needs. The hierarchy ranges
through five levels from, at the lowest level, physiological needs,
through safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, to the need for self-
actualization at the highest level.
Herzberg and McGregor also wrote on the motivation theory. Herzberg

identified two different sets of factors affecting motivation and
satisfaction at work. One set of factors comprises those which, if
absent, cause dissatisfaction. Those are ‘hygiene’ or ‘maintenance’
factors which are concerned basically with job environment. However,
in order to motivate workers to give off their best, proper attention must
be given to a different set of factors, the ‘motivator’ or ‘growth’ factors.
McGregor in his own way argued that the style of management adopted
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PAD 204 MODULE 3
is a function of the manager’s attitudes towards human nature and

behaviour at work.
He put forward two suppositions called theory X and theory Y which are
based on popular assumptions about work and people.
Theory X takes a pessimistic view of human nature that the average

person is by nature lazy. He or she will work as little as possible. Such
an individual lacks ambition, dislikes responsibility, and prefers to be
led.
The manager here was seen as an active agent for motivating people,
controlling their actions, modifying their behavior to fit the needs of the
organization. Theory X places exclusive reliance upon external control
of human behavior.
Theory Y takes the humanistic approach that people are not by nature
passive, lazy, and dumb. But instead, they are generally eager for
opportunities to show initiative and to bear responsibility. They are not
resistant to organizational needs. The motivation, the potential for
development, is inherent in people.
Therefore the goal of management here becomes creating humanistic

environment where people can achieve their own goals best by directing
their own efforts towards organizational objectives.
Job enlargement, delegation of authority, decentralized responsibilities,

and participatory management are several methods by which theory Y
could be practically implemented in organizations. Theory Y therefore
relies heavily on self-control and self-direction.
These theorists call for less hierarchy and more humanity in

organizational life.
3.6 The Nigerian Civil Service
The Nigerian civil service has been patterned on the British civil service
practice and tradition. The system of administration which emerged at
independence was British in character. However, there had been major
reforms of the Nigerian civil service to transform not only the structure
but also its functions to suit social, economic and political needs of the
country.
The Nigerian civil service as the administrative machinery of

government, is looked upon by the society as the state vehicle for
implementing developmental policies and achieving the goals of each
government, such as; the creation of new economic and political
137
structures and infusing them with values and purposes, the adaptation
and reconstruction of old values and the acceleration of economic and
social changes, designed to reduce unemployment, increase social
products, and ensure a more equitable distribution of income.
A major feature of the civil service was hierarchical structure and its
organization into units known as department.
The organizational structure of a typical Ministry is hierarchical with the

Minister as the head (in case of the federal) and Commissioner (in case
of the state). Each Ministry is expected to deal with all matters in respect
of which it was established. The Permanent Secretary is next to the
Minister, he is the executive head of the Ministry who in direct control
of all the staff assigned to him. Each Ministry is sub-divided into two or
more Divisions, each of which deals with a particular aspect of the
ministry’s work under the authority of a Head of Division. Divisions are
again subdivided into Branches, in charge are Heads of Branches.
Smaller sub-divisions are called Sections or Units in the ministry.
Within the various sections, or units the rest of the senior staff take their
places in accordance with their ranking in seniority.
Functions of the Civil Servants
The role and functions of the civil servants are summarized by Augustus
Adebayo (1984) Thus:
(i) Decisions are taken by Ministers and it is the duty of civil

servants to supply the Minister with the information necessary to
make a right decision.
(ii) The civil servant must place before his minister the arguments on
both sides
(iii) Once the decision is taken, the civil servant must carry out
loyally the policy chosen, even though he may have preferred a
different one.
(iv) The decision when once taken is that of the Minister or the
government as a whole, and the civil servant must not take credit
for such decision.
(v) The civil servant must observe absolute silence and be discrete as
to what takes place in the office. He is guided by the Official
Secret Act.
(vi) The civil service is responsible for continuity of policy.
(vii) The civil servant must observe the triple maxim of impartiality,
neutrality, and anonymity.
(viii) The civil servant while carrying out the decisions and policy lay
down by the political boss, must resist illegitimate political
demands or pressures.
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4.0 CONCLUSION
In this Unit, you have examined in details the term public
administration. You have learnt about the functions of an administrator,
and examined what an organization is and its defining characteristics.
The Unit also looked at the various theories of administration beginning
from the classical theory to the behavioural school of thought. You
would have also learnt about the Nigerian civil service
5.0 SUMMARY
From the classical to human relations and behavioural approaches to the
study of administration, theorists have placed emphasis on the proper
coordination and management of human and material resources in order
to achieve organizational goals. The Nigerian civil service which has
evolved from the British system is the state vehicle for implementing
developmental policies and achieving the goals of each government,
such as; the creation of new economic and political structures and
infusing them with values and purposes, the adaptation and
reconstruction of old values and the acceleration of economic and social
changes, designed to reduce unemployment, increase social products,
and ensure a more equitable distribution of income.

i. What do you understand by the term “Public Administration”?
ii. What is Organization? What are its characteristics?
iii. Enumerate the steps in the decision-making process.
iv. What are the major characteristics of the Weber’s bureaucratic
Model?
v. Examine the assumed role of managers under theory X and
theory Y.
vi. Enumerate the functions of the civil servants.

Adebayo, A. (1981). Principles and Practice of Public Administration in
Nigeria. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Allen, J. G. C. (1985). A Handbook of Basic Administration and Civil

Service Procedure in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ibadan:
University Press, Ltd.
Etzioni, Amitai (1964). Modern Organizations. New Jersey:

Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs.
139
Faseke, M. (1998). The Civil Service in Nigeria: A Historical

Perspective., Ibadan: Rex Charles Publication.
Henry, Nicholas. (2001). Public Administration and Public Affairs.

New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India Private Ltd.
Hyde, A. C. and Shafritz, J. M, (1997). Classics of Public

Administration. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company.
Peter, Guy (1978). The Politics of Bureaucracy, New York: Longman

Inc.
Rosenbloom, David (1980). Public Administration – Understanding

Management, Politics and Law in the Public Sector. New York:
McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
Rao, V.S.P and Narayana, P. S. (1987). Organization Theory and

Behaviour. Delhi: Konark Publishers PUT Ltd.
Simon, Herbert (1948). Administrative Behavior: A Study of

Decision-Making Processes in Administrative Organizations.
New York: The Macmillan Company.
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PAD 204 MODULE 3
UNIT 5 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND

ORGANIZATIONS
CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 The Imperatives of International Relations
3.2 Preconditions for International Relations
3.3 Focus of International Relations
3.4 International Organizations
3.5 United Nations Organizations (UNO)
3.6 African Union (AU)
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Man by nature is a social animal. There is always a propensity for man

to associate with others. This flows from the mutually beneficial
advantages that such an associational, cooperative and collaborative
relationship confers on human existence. Thus, at the micro-level of
aggregative human existence, the state is the expression of the desire of
man to exist within a political society in which structured and orderly
existence takes place. Through the social contract freely entered into by
man, the state came into existence as a platform for collaborative and
cooperative human living.
However, the peace and orderly existence which man had forged
through the existence of the state would hardly endure without a similar
structure to coordinate, order and prescribe the norms of cooperative and
collaborative existence, mediate and resolve disputes and conflicts when
they arise amongst the different state systems produced and empowered
with the monopoly of the means of physical coercion by different
groups of individuals.
To this end, international relations, is a replication of the cooperative,

collaborative and ordered process of social interactions within the state
at the international level between and amongst different state systems,
and other non-state actors that have bearing on the possibilities or
otherwise of what happens in terms of who gets what when and how
within the state systems from the globally limited resources. Central
therefore to the problematic of international relations, is the issue of
141
power, its uses and control between and amongst state within the context
of global geopolitics.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
• explain what international relations is

• explain what international organizations are
• describe the workings of international organizations.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 The Imperatives of International Relations

International relations is as important for states as domestic concern.
Fundamentally, states seek to achieve two goals in their relations with
other states at the international level. One, every state has peculiar and
particularistic interests and problems; the state uses the platform of
relations with other nations to promote, and find solutions too. Two,
there are a number of problems which impact negatively on conditions
within the territorial boundaries of a state, but with implications of an
international nature. Hence, solutions to such concerns cannot but be of
a transnational character. International relations engender the
possibilities of a transnational solutions and management of such
problems of global concern.
It must be clearly stated however, that state relations at the international

level is never unidirectional, that is, it is not solely, peaceful. It could
manifest in terms of cooperation and collaboration, or conflictual in
nature. It is for this reason that Akindele (2003) argues that war and
peace are the core of international relations. This underscores the
importance and the premium placed on the issue of alliances and
collective security in international relations.
3.2 Preconditions for International Relations

According to Akinboye and Ottoh (2005:23), certain conditions are
germane for the existence of international relations amongst states.
These are:
(a) There must be in place a global international system in which

international actors are co-inhabitants;
(b) The existence of different international actors e.g. states,
international organizations, non-state actors, e.g. Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO), transnational corporations, etc
engaged in cooperation or competition over resources;
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PAD 204 MODULE 3
(c) Bilateral and multilateral interactions among international actors;

(d) The need for resolution of conflicting claims and rights between
the different international actors collectively.
The implication of the foregoing is that international relations is a

system embedded in a structural relationship between different actors
with particularistic and sometimes collective interests, which they strive
to achieve within a mutually agreed process and given pre-determined
normative behaviour. It is in this context that Stoessinger (1979:27)
opines that nation’s in international relation attempt to use its tangible
and intangible resources to change the probability of outcome, that is, to
condition what would happen in a way desirable and beneficial to it. So,
while national interest conditions the behaviour of nations in
international relations, the mutual assure destruction of every state in the
event of chaos occasioned by unregulated pursuit of selfish national
interests imposes limits on state’s action in the system through a
collective preservation orientation on the parts of nation-states. Hence,
international relations entail the promotion of national interests by
individual nation-states, as well as a conscious attempt at preserving the
collective security of the international order, the failure of which in the
past led to the outbreak of World War I and World War II, with
devastating consequences for humanity.
3.3 Focus of International Relations
International relations deal with a universe of concerns. Some of which

are: cooperative interactions, economic cooperation, political
cooperation, international politics, diplomacy, foreign policy, strategic
studies, international law, international organizations, bilateralism and
multilateralism, human security, and global peace initiatives. For
instance political cooperation is a desideratum to international relations,
and for international peace and security. As Adeniran (1982: 34) notes,
“the motivations for political cooperation are based on the national
interests of the individual nation-states”. Similarly, international law is
the platform on which international cooperation is established.
Specifically, international law, according to Adeniran (1982: 45) is
designed to: (a) minimize friction between states; (b) stabilize
behaviours of states; (c) facilitate cooperation between and among
states; (d) protect individuals; (e) settle disputes; (f) serve as a tool of
public relations and propaganda.
Flowing from the above, it is clear that international relation is a system,

a structure and a process. It is as much an academic discipline as it is a
power and interest-based relation among nation-states. And as
Akinbobola (1999: 329) submits, international relations entail
“conscious promotion of peace among nations and of the study and
143
enhancement of the mechanism of conflict prevention, management and

resolution”.
What is International Relations?
3.3 International Organizations
A conceptual understanding of international relation is incomplete

without international organizations. This is because, next to the nation-
states, international organizations are the most important actors in the
global arena, and they constitute the platform for bilateral and
multilateral interactions and politics amongst nation-state. According to
Palmer and Perkins (1969 cited in Akinboye and Ottoh, 2005: 167), an
international organization is “any cooperative arrangement instituted
among states usually by agreement to perform some mutually
advantageous functions implemented through periodic treaties and staff
activities”.
Modern international organizations are products of historical

development amongst nation-states in their constant desire to engender
global peace and security. Three historical developments that preceded
the modern international organization are relevant to our concern at this
point. First, were the high level meetings between leaders at various
times to find solutions to issues of general concern. One of such
meetings was the Vienna Congress of 1815. Second, was the institution
of the Hague system in 1899, and again in 1907, with the programmatic
agenda amongst nations to order and structure inter-state relations. The
third was the public international unions, such as, the Danube River and
Rhine Commission (1806), which deals with non-political issues, but
establishing basis of providing services of mutual beneficial global
concerns which are of economic and social problems, e.g. International
Postal Union (1875), International Bureau for Weights and Measures
(1875), International Office of Public Health (1903), International
Bureau for Telegraphic Administrations (1868).
Certain conditions are sine qua non to the existence of any international
organization. Adeniran (1982: 85) proposes the following as essential
basis for international organizations: (a) operation in a world of states;
(b) contacts amongst states; (c) recognition of certain problems of
common interest to all the states; and (d) the need for joint action in
solving mutual problems.
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PAD 204 MODULE 3
As Akindele (2003: 109) argues, international organizations are

important for the following reasons: (a) they are much needed
instruments for the conduct of foreign policy; (b) they are actors in the
diplomatic game involving the management of international order; and
(c) they bring pressure to bear on states in the conduct of their foreign
policy, and consequently influence the shape of their policy.
It is however important to bear in mind the following issues as it relates

to international organizations:
1. International organization can only exist when there is agreement

between two or more nation-states, in essence, international
organization is formed by states;
2. The legislative competence of international organization is almost
nil;
3. Democratic principles, that is, one man one vote regime governs
decision making of international organizations;
4. Negotiation, enquiry, mediation and conciliation, rather than
forces are the preferred techniques of conflict resolution and
management by international organizations;
5. International organizations, in some respects limit the sovereignty
of nation-states. Decisions taken by international organizations to
which states are members are morally binding on the state-
members. As Akinbobola (1999: 344) submits, while “no one
wishes to diminish the scope of a nation states sovereignty,
however the capacity to take unilateral action is at variance to the
collective will to which a state is a signatory”.
3.4 United Nations Organisations (UNO)
The United Nations was established following the inability of the

League of Nations, which was put in place as a global system in 1919 at
the end of World War I, to prevent the outbreak of another World War.
The different international activities during World War II by powerful
Western nations to engender global peace after the war historically
culminated in the establishment of the United Nations on October 24,
1945, with the ratification of the organization’s Charter by the United
States of America, United Kingdom, France, China, Soviet Union, and
other signatories.
The UN has the following objectives
(i) Maintain international peace and security through collaborative

measures geared towards removing threats, acts of aggression or
other breaches of peace and to use peaceful means for conflict
resolution;
145
(ii) To develop friendly relations based on the principle of equal

rights and self-determination of people;
(iii) To achieve international cooperation in different spheres of
human existence;
(iv) To promote respect for fundamental freedom and human rights.
Article 1, of the UN Charter outlined the principles, which constitutes

the strategies for the achievement of the above objectives. These
principles are sovereign equality of all nations; peaceful settlement of
disputes between nations; prohibition of the use of force or threat of its
use against other states; non-interference by the UN in the internal
affairs of member states; and faithful fulfillment of obligations by
members to the organization.
Structure of the UN
Structurally, the UN was designed as an all-inclusive umbrella to

accommodate all nations irrespective of size, power and wealth, just as
its scope of activities took account of the multi-dimensional concerns of
member nations. However, the power of nation-states, and their ability
to use such powers to change the probabilities of outcome in global
politics, was a major variable in the determination of the structure of the
UN. The dominant power and hegemonic forces in global politics
during World War II, insisted on the need to take account of the relative
powers of the different member nations in the structuring of the UN.
Goodrich (1974:60) argues, the powerful nations favoured “… the
allocation of responsibilities among organizations and the definition of
powers, composition should reflect difference of power, with the
emphasis on the military element”. The functions and powers of the
various organs of the UN as we have them today conform to this global
power calculus. The UN has six principal organs namely:
a) Security Council;
b) The General Assembly;
c) The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC);
d) The Trusteeship Council;
e) The International Court of Justice; and
f) The Secretariat.
For the purpose of this paper we shall concern ourselves with discussion
of the two most important organs of the UN, namely the Security
Council and the General Assembly.
The Security Council is the most powerful organ of the UN.

Expectedly, the five most powerful nations at the end of World War II,
namely, the United States of America, United kingdom, France, Soviet
146
PAD 204 MODULE 3
Union, and China, in line with the power calculus as a basis for giving
responsibilities that was canvassed by the powerful nations, are
permanent members of the Security Council. In addition to these
permanent members are six other temporary members elected every two
years. It is however unfortunate that such an important organ of the UN
charged with the sole responsibility of maintaining world peace and
security does not operate by democratic imperative in both membership
and decision-making process. Any of the permanent members can veto
the decision of the organ. It is note worthy however, that efforts is been
made to reform the UN, and democratizes its operations. As part of this
reform measure is to give two permanent seats to Africa in the Security
Council, Asia and Latin American are also demand for seats.
The General Assembly is the most important organ of the UN. Five
members represent each member nation on the Assembly during its
yearly meetings. Its jurisdiction covers every issue contained in the UN
Charter. Matters are referred to the Assembly by the Security Council
for discussions and decisions. It operates on democratic imperative of
equality of nations and votes on decisions. The annual budget of the UN
is placed before the Assembly for approval.
Associated with the UN are some international inter-governmental

organizations, namely, World Health Organization (WHO); Food and
Agricultural Organization (FAO); International Labour Organization
(ILO); International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
otherwise known as the World Bank; International Monetary Fund
(IMF); The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO); While the lack of enforcement power and the
non-interference in the domestic affairs of member nations amongst
other factors have seriously inhibited the effectiveness and efficiency of
the UN, what cannot be denied is that in the last fifty years, the UN has
succeeded in preventing another World War, embarked on a number of
peace-keeping operations across the globe, promote international
cooperation and respect for fundamental human rights globally.
Discuss the major functions of the United Nations Organization.
3.5 African Union (AU)
The AU is the successors of the Organization of African Unity (OAU),

founded in 1963. The formation of the AU is underscored by the
imperative of change and the need to cope with contemporary
challenges of development by African nations, and the imperative
engendered by the radical change and hegemonic politics of the
147
international political economy following the end of the Cold War.

According to Ogwu (2004:6), “AU is the cornerstone on the new terms
of engagement between Africa and the world would be framed. Indeed,
the renegotiation of Africa’s place in the international division of labour
as well as the equitable redistribution of global developmental resources
in favour of Africa constitute important items in the transformation of
Africa”. The formation of the AU entails a lot of preparations,
consultation, and deliberations, hence it emergence was not an over-
night affairs.
Historically, the March towards the formation of the AU started in 1979,

with the attempt to amend the OAU Charter. However, the lack of the
necessary political will on the part of African Heads of State,
contributed to the inefficiency and the inability of the committee setup
for the purpose to achieve results. The Ouagadougou Declaration of 10
June, 1998, was however a positive effort at reengineering and
refocusing the OAU. At the Ouagadougou, decision was taken for the
establishment and consolidation of effective democratic institutions.
Interestingly, the thrust of the Ouagadougou’s deliberations were
basically economic and developmental, rather than the characteristic
political concern of the OAU. The Algiers Summit, with was held in
July, 1999, which centered on the themes of “Collective Security and
Problems of Conflicts in Africa”, and “The Challenges of Globalization
and Establishment of the African Economic Community”, build on the
Ouagadougou’s achievements.
Following the Algiers Summit was the Sitre, Libya, 4th Extraordinary
Summit in September, 1999. The purpose of this Summit was to amend
the OAU Charter in order to make the organization more functionally
effective and efficient. This concern was reflected in the theme of the
Summit, “Strengthening OAU Capacity to enable it to meet the
Challenges of the New Millennium”. At the Summit, the establishment
of the AAU was agreed upon. To this end, the draft Constitutive Act of
the AU (as well as the draft Protocol establishing Pan-African
Parliament) was prepared. This was adopted by the OAU Assembly of
Heads of State and Government in Lome, Togo, between 10-12 July,
2000. At the 5th Extraordinary Summit of the OAU, again at Sitre,
Libya, between 1-2 March, 2001, the establishment of the AU was
unanimously declared. There were however provisions in the
Constitutive Act detailing conditions precedent to the full realization of
the AU.
According to Kawonihse (2002:92), “In the decision (at the Sitre,

Summit) African Heads of state and Government specified that legal
requirements of the union would have been completed upon the deposit
of the 36th instrument of ratification of the Constitutive Act of the AU”.
148
PAD 204 MODULE 3
It was agreed too that the effective date of the Constitutive Act will be
30 days after 2/3 members of the OAU have deposited their instruments
of ratification. Nigeria, on 26 April, 2001, became the 36th state to
deposit the instrument of ratification of the AU Constitutive Act. Based
on this agreement, the AU Constitutive Act became effective on 26
May, 2001, being the 30th day after the 36th instrument of the AU was
deposited. The formal launching of the AU was however to wait till the
OAU Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, between 9-11 July, 2001. The AU
finally emerged at the Durban, South African Summit, 9 July, 2002,
after the expiration of one- year transitional period provided by Article
33 (1) of the AU Constitutive Act.
Given the series of activities and historical landmark that culminated in

the formation of the AU, there is confusion as to the date that should be
regarded as the formation of the AU. Some illumination is offered in the
literature. According to Kawonishe (2002:95), “On this controversy two
precedents exist. The adoption of the OAU Charter on 25 May, 1963 is
the day commemorated as the OUA birthday, although the Charter
entered into force on 13 September. On the other hand, and conversely,
the establishment of the UN is traced to 24 October 1945, the day the
UN Charter entered into force, and not 26 July, 1946, the day it was
adopted. Using the African standard set by the OAU precedent, the
birthday of the AU is 26 May, 2001.
Reasons for the Formation of the AU
1. The OAU Charter has become stale and anachronistic. The issues
of which it seek to address, such as, colonialism, independence,
apartheid, etc, are no longer relevant and has become overtaken
by time.
2. The end of the Cold War and the emergence of a unipolar world
order under the hegemonic control of America have reduced the
importance of African nations in global geopolitical calculation
thus necessitating the need for unity, cooperation, collaboration,
and common positions on major issues of general concern to the
continent.
3. The failure of the imposed Structural Adjustment Programme

(SAP), debt crisis, and deteriorating and parlous state of African
economies which has aggravated the problems of poverty,
unemployment, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, brain-drain,
deindustrialization, etc, calls for regional economic cooperation
and programmatic continental actions.
149
4. Decline in the value of inflow of foreign aid and Foreign Direct

Investment. Added to this is the reduction in the volume of trade
between the North and Africa, a situation occasioned by the
establishment of the European Union, and the increasing trade
between countries of the North, and Transnational corporations
domicile in the North.
5. The regime of globalization has gone beyond the exploitation of

African nations, and make it possible for them to be totally
excluded to the extent that they are irrelevant to the profit
calculation of North profit goals.
6. The realization that individually African nations are structurally

and organically weak to effectively and decisively participate in
the present global politics which is oriented toward regionalism.
Objectives of the AU
Article 3 of the AU the Constitutive Act clear detailed the objectives of

the organization as follow:
a. Achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African

countries and the peoples of Africa;
b. Defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of
its member states;
c. Accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the
continent;
d. Promote and defend African common positions on issues of
interests to the continent and its people;
e. Encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the
charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights;
f. Promote peace, security, and stability on the continent;
g. Promote democratic principles and institutions, popular
participation and good governance;
h. Promote and protect human people’s rights in accordance with
the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights and other
relevant human rights instruments;
i. Establish the necessary conditions which will enable the
continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and
international negotiations;
j. Promote sustainable development at the economic, social and
cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies;
k. Promote cooperation in all fields of human activity to raise the
living standards of African people;
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PAD 204 MODULE 3
l. Coordinate and harmonize the policies between the existing and

future regional economic communities for the gradual attainment
of the objectives of the Union;
m. Advance the development of the continent by promoting research
in all fields, in particular in science and technology; and
n. Work with relevant international partners in the eradication of
preventable diseases and the promotion of good health on the
continent.
What are the objectives of the African Union?
Structure of the AU
Nine organs are provided for in the AU Constitutive Act. These organs
are spelt out in Article 5 (1) of the AU Constitutive Act as follows:
1. The Assembly, which is the supreme organ of the Union;

2. Executive Council;
3. The Pan-African Parliament;
4. The Court of Justice;
5. The Commission;
6. The Permanent Representative Committee;
7. The Specialized Technical Committees;
8. The Economic, Social and Cultural Council; and
9. The Financial Institutions.
The headquarters of the organization by the provision of Article 24 (1) is

in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where the OAU has its headquarters. While
the formation of the AU is a right step in the right direction, especially
against the democratic imperatives of its principles, gender equality,
respect for human rights, rule of law and good governance. However, it
is too early in the day to say to what extent the AU can fulfill the dreams
of its founding fathers by now getting ensnared by the many crises that
led to the demise of its predecessor, the OAU.
4.0 CONCLUSION
International relations and international organizations are veritable

platforms and tools for nation-states in the realization of nation’s
interests, promotion of global peace and harmony, and ensuring
international cooperation and security which are desideratum for the
realization of domestic development and human progress.
151
5.0 SUMMARY
You have learnt that international relations is a cooperative,

collaborative and ordered process of social interactions within the state
at the international level between and amongst different state systems,
and other non-state actors that have bearing on the possibilities or
otherwise of what happens in terms of who gets what when and how
within the state systems from the globally limited resources.
i. 1. What is international Relations? What are the necessary

conditions for international Relations?
ii. 2. Discuss the contention that the primary focus international
relations is on the twin issue of war and peace.
iii. Any talk of international relations in exclusion of international
organizations is like tea without sugar. Do you agree?
iv. Discuss the origin of the United Nations Organizations and the
role of the relative powers of the members in the structure of the
organization.
v. “The African Union is a child of continental and global
circumstances”. Identify and discuss the different context for the
emergence of the African Union.
vi. Trace the historical transition from the Organization of African
Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU).
Akintoye, S. A. (1976). Emergent African States. Harlow: Longman.
Akinbobola, A. “International Relations”, in R. Anifowose and F.

Enemuo, Elements of Politics. Lagos: Malthouse Press Ltd.
Akinboye, S. O. and Ottoh, F. (2005). A Systemic Approach to

International Relations. Lagos: Concept Publications.
Akindele, A. (2003). “International Relations and Organizations”, in O.

Oyediran. Introduction to Political Science. Ibadan: Oyediran
Consults International. Pp. 103-113.
Claude, I. L. (1967). The Changing United Nations; Random Hous, N.

Y. Kawonishe, D. 2002. “Metamorphosis of the OAU into AU:
Problems and Prospects”. African Journal of International
Affairs and Development. Vol. 7 (1) pp. 84- 113.
152
PAD 204 MODULE 3
Mazrui, Ali A. (1967). Towards and Pax-Africana. Weidenfeld

Nicalson.
Nicolson, H. G. (1971). The United Nation as a Political Institution.

Oxford University Press.
Ogwu, J.U. (2004). “Introduction: AU and Africa’s Development”, in

Agubuzu, L.O.C. From OAU to AU. NIIA Lecture Series No. 83.
Lagos: NIIA. Pp. 6-9.
Stoessinger, J.G. (1979). The Might of Nations: World Politics in Our

Time. (Sixth Edition). New York: Random House.
Wolfers, M. (1976). Politics in the Organisation of African Unity.

London: Methuen.
153

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COURSE

Course Team Dr. Derin K. Ologbenla (Developer/Writer) –

NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

© 2017 by NOUN Press

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, in any

Printed 2008, 2017, 2019

Welcome to PAD 204: Introduction to Political Science

In this introductory section, aims and objectives will be explained. The

a) To be able to demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of

WORKING THROUGH THIS COURSE

1) The course guide;

Unit 1 The Nature and Scope of Political Science

Unit 1 The Concept of Sovereignty

TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

Anifowoshe, R. and Francis Enemuo, (ed.) (1999). Elements of Politics.

Ologbenla, D. K. (1996). Introduction to Political Science. Lagos:

Nnoli, O. (1986). Introduction to Politics. Lagos: Longman Nigeria Ltd.

FINAL EXAMINATION AND GRADING

COURSE MARKING SCHEME

COURSE OVERVIEW AND PRESENTATION SCHEDULE

HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM THIS COURSE

In distance learning, your course material replaces the lecturer. The

The following is a practical strategy for working through the course. If

Read this Course Guide thoroughly, it is your first assignment.

1. Organise a Study Schedule. Design a ‘Course Overview’ to guide

FACILITATORS/TUTORS AND TUTORIALS

There are 15 hours of tutorials provided to support this course. Tutorials

Do not hesitate to contact your tutor by telephone, e-mail, or discussion

To gain the maximum benefits from course tutorials, prepare a question

The course guide has introduced you to what to expect in Introduction to

Unit 1 The Nature and Scope of Political Science…… 1

Unit 1 The Concept of Sovereignty............................ 42

Module 3 ………………………………………..………… 102

Unit 1 Constitutionalism.................................................. 102

Unit 1 The Nature and Scope of Political Science

UNIT 1 THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF POLITICAL

Aristotle observed that whenever men seek to define their position in

view, they find themselves engaged in politics. In this broad sense,

Today, the word politics is an elastic one. To some authorities, politics

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• explain what politics is all about

3.0 MAIN CONTENT

3.1 Definitions/Explanations of Politics

Generally speaking, it is difficult to define politics because there are

Lasswell suggests that politics is essentially the struggle for positions of

Similarly, it was politics at the international level when the Palestinian

3.2 The Development of Political Science as a Field of Study

The Greeks as we have seen established a broad definition of politics.

For example, Jean Bodin (1430-1596), a French political philosopher,

Another French philosopher Montesquieu (1689-1755) argued that the

Republican Constitutions with the assumption that liberty was best

It was the work of these two philosophers that imposed a restricted

In the mid-nineteenth century, Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural

The advent of World War II brought about a re-think by political

Define politics and describe the development of political science as a

3.3 What is Science? What Makes Political Science a

Pure science is concerned with obtaining accurate knowledge about the

The scientific method entails vigorous procedures starting from

3.4 The Meaning of Verifiability