WEEK TWO:

GOVERNMENT
WALA: BASIC CONCEPTS IN
GOVERNMENT

WALT:
• Explain the meaning and sources of power,
authority, legitimacy and sovereignty.
POWER

Power is the ability to control the actions of others irrespective of their wishes. It is the ability to
enforce decisions or command through the possession of means of sanctions. It seeks to compel
people to obey rules. Sanctions or punishments are often applied for non-compliance.

Forms of power
• Political power: this is the type of power that is exercised by the government in the running of the
affairs of the state. Decisions made through this type of power are binding on the state. Power
resides in the three arms of government and is derived from the constitution.
• Physical power: this type is often referred to as naked power. It involves the use of force to compel
people to obey. The police, security services etc use this type of power and it often times may
cause pain, injury or death.
• Military power: military power can be used to forcefully overthrow a government, quell riots and
defend the internal and external territory of a state.
• Economic power: this type of power involves the use of economic resources at one’s disposal to
control the actions of others. Rich men exercise economic power over the poor by influencing
government policies to suit them.
SOURCES OF POWER

• The Constitution: in democratic states, the constitution confers power on an individual through
the ballot box.
• Through Inheritance: in most societies, this is a common means of acquiring power. Those born in
royal families have the right to ascend into power and this gives them some elements of power.
• Coercion/Force: Power can be obtained through the use of force especially the military. In Africa
for example, political power is derived by the military by over-throwing a government through
what is known as coup d’état.
• The use of Charisma: Power is conferred on many people through their personal qualities and
influence. Such people have the zeal and charismatic attributes of a leader. E.g. Nelson Mandela of
South Africa, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo of Nigeria and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.
• Position of authority: Those who possess expert knowledge in various aspects of human life,
exercise power over those who do not have. Such power ceases to exist when such a person
vacates the office.
• Wealth: Those that control economic resources use such advantage to acquire power. This is in
line with the principle of economic determinism.
CLASS DISCUSSION

How is economic power relevant in Nigerian politics?

AUTHORITY

Authority refers to the right to command or direct others and enforce obedience. The power of
authority is derived from one’s office and from the consent of the people. It implies the
acceptance by the people of someone’s right to rule.
This is why even military governments try to legitimize its authority by seeking the consent of the
people. In a democratic society, the electorates are the primary source of power and political
authority.

Sources of Political Authority

Max Weber, a German sociologist identifies three sources of political authority. They are:
• Traditional Authority: This is the right to rule based on customs and traditions. It is hereditary
and it is based on norms, customs and tradition of a particular society. It is through this source
that Obas, Emirs and Obis derive their political power.
• Legal Authority: This type of authority is derived from the body of rules and regulations
governing a society. This is called the constitution and could be written or unwritten.
• Charismatic Authority: This is derived from the extraordinary qualities, which a person has that
enables him to lead others. Charisma is an extraordinary quality, which a person possesses and
gives him the right to rule.
Types of Authority

• Political Authority: This is the right of political office holders to command, make
and enforce policies. The constitution confers such powers.
• Military Authority: This refers to the rights of the armed forces to use force to
maintain law and order and security in the state.
• Traditional Authority: This is the power legitimized by the customs and tradition.
This type of authority is acquired through inheritance.
• Delegated Authority: This is authority conferred on a subordinate to carry out
certain powers on specified matters.
• Technical Authority: When a person’s authority is accepted because he is an
expert in a recognized field, he has technical authority.
• Judicial Authority: This is the authority which the courts and judges have to issue
fines or other punishments to individuals, groups or governments.
• Administrative Authority: This is the right of the professionals like civil servants
and managers to make decisions in their respective offices and secure obedience.
Independent Activity
Differentiate between Power and Authority.
LEGITIMACY
The word legitimacy is derived from the Latin word ‘legitimus’, which
means lawful or according to law. In government, it means the
acceptance of the political system by the people in compliance with the
laid down rules and regulations.
A government is considered to be legitimate if it has come into office
through a general recognized and acceptable means such as a free and
fair election. It also means the support of the people toward a
government in power, since the stability of government depends largely
on popular support from the people.
Factors that affect Legitimacy

• Leadership: when a leader performs very well, the people accept his regime as a legitimate
one.
• Common National Symbols: the existence of common national symbols like the National
Anthem, Pledge, National Flag, Coat of Arms, National Passport etc encourages legitimacy.
The observance of national holidays and acceptance of common heroes and heroines also
affect legitimacy.
• Popular participation: for legitimacy to take place, various interest groups such as political
parties, pressure groups, trade unions etc must be allowed to participate in government
affairs.
• Foreign Diplomacy: the foreign policies adopted by a government of a country determine its
legitimacy before other nations.
• Good Government: when the government meets up to the expectations of the people, its
legitimacy is recognized. This is why some military governments seek to legitimize their
government by implementing good policies.
• Popular support: if a government in power receives the support of the people, it is
legitimate. In modern democracy, the party that receives the greatest support in an election
forms the legitimate government.
CLASS DISCUSSION
Can an authority be legitimate without the consent or approval of
those being governed by it?
SOVEREIGNTY

Sovereignty may be defined as the supreme power in a state to exercise

full legal authority over its own affairs within its territory without any
form of external control. A French political philosopher Jean Bodin
(1530 – 1596) introduced the modern Theory Of Sovereignty.
He defines it thus ‘sovereignty is the supreme and final legal authority
above and beyond which no further legal power exists’. A sovereign
state therefore has the absolute power to make and enforce laws
within its territory without any external influence.
Types of Sovereignty
• Legal Sovereignty: this is the power, which a state has to make laws and enforce them.
The body responsible for making and enforcing the laws of the state is known as the
legal sovereign.
• Political Sovereignty: in this type of sovereignty, the supreme power is vested on the
electorate (the people) to establish their own government through voting. The people’s
mandate through the ballot box forms the power of government.
• Internal Sovereignty: this is the power of the state to exercise power over its nationals
within its territorial areas.
• External Sovereignty: in a simpler form, this is defined as freedom from external
control. The government has the power to conduct its affairs without external
influence.
• De-facto Sovereignty: this refers to a body that acquires its sovereignty of a state
through force. This is evident through the forceful seizure of government through
military invasion or revolution. It uses force to ensure total obedience to its will.
• De-jure Sovereignty: in this type of sovereignty, it is acquired in accordance to the laws
of the land. It is opposed to the use of force.
Characteristics of Sovereignty
• Indivisibility: the powers of a state are final and cannot be shared or
divided.
• Permanence: Sovereignty of a state is permanent as long as the state
exists. Government may change but a state’s sovereignty cannot change.
• Absoluteness: this means that a state gives order to all and receives
order from none. The powers of a sovereign state cannot be limited.
• Absence of Foreign control: the powers of a sovereign state are
supreme in its own territory and are very free from external influence.
• Comprehensiveness: the power of a sovereign state extends over all
persons, organizations and associations within its territory.
• Inalienability: this means that the powers of sovereignty of a state
cannot be transferred. If it is given away, it cannot be regained.
PLENARY
HOMEWORK
What are some ways Nigerians can peacefully express their concerns
about the legitimacy of a government or leader without resorting to
violence?