Government can be defined as:
1.0 Definitions:
+ A body of people & an institution that makes & enforces laws for the betterment of society. (Thomas P. Bornstein)
+ An institution that maintains the existence of a state, plans its future, performs its functions to achieve the goals of the state. (Syed Ahmad Hussein)
+ An institution that has legitimate authority to rule within a state. (Harold Laski)
+ A social organization that has the power to rule over a state. (Herbert M. Levine)
+ A central organization that maintains a system of rules over the people. (R.M. MacIver)
+ A body that possesses legitimate power & authority over security issues, formulation & policy implementation. (David E. Apter)
+ A body that formulates & implements policies for all the people within a state. (Geoffrey K. Roberts)
2.0 Functions of Government:
+ To improve the standard of living of the people:
+Provide job opportunities(through projects such as Wilayah Iskandariah);
+Provide infrastructure and utilities.
+To formulate & implement laws:
Create guidelines for the citizens (ex: the federal Constitution of Malaysia).
Ensure stability of the state;
Protect the lives & property of the people (through implementation of policies and law).
+To ensure the unity of the people:
Especially in a plural society;
Promote tolerance & integration.
Ensure that the people live in harmony.
+To ensure the security of the state:
Defend against internal & external threats;
Protect the state’s borders;
Establish security forces & agencies (police, army, navy, air force etc).
3.0 Classifications of Government:
Aristotle's Classification:
1)The Number of People Who Rule
I-One Person
II-Few Persons
III-All Citizens
2) Corrupt And Non-Corrupt
Rule by One: (Corrupt:Tyranny, N.Corrupt:Monarchy)
Rule by Few: (Corrupt:Oligarchy, N.Corrupt:Aristocracy)
Rule by All: (Corrupt:Democrary, N.Corrupt:Polity)
Marriot's Classification:
§Distribution of Power:
•Unitary: concentration of power.
•Federal: authority is divided between central govt & state govt.
§Rigid & Flexible Constitution
§Relation between the Executive & Legislature:
•Despotic: executive is superior to the legislature.
•Presidential: executive is coordinate in power with legislature.
•Parliamentary: executive is subordinate to legislature (as practiced in malaysia).
4.0 Forms of Government:
4.1 Democracy:
+ A system where rule of the people prevails;
+ “The govt of the people, by the people & for the people (Abraham Lincoln);
+ The govt by the majority with the consent of the minority;
+ A form of govt organized in accordance with the principles of popular sovereignty, political equality, popular consultation & majority rule. (Austin Ramsey).
Features Of Democracy:
§ >1 political party & regular elections.
§Pressure groups are free to operate.
§Recognition of civil liberties.
§Separation of powers.
§Ruled by civilians.
§Political control is relatively limited.
§Peaceful change;
§Socio-economic pluralism;
§High level of economic development & modernization;
§Ethnic & cultural uniformity;
§Leaders’ commitment to democracy.
4.2 Presidential Government:
+A representative system that features a separation of power between the executive & legislature;
Features of Presidential System:
§Executive=president:
•Elected by the people for a fixed term;
§Head of govt = head of state;
§President appoints head of departments;
§Based on separation of power;
§Legislature is the supreme branch of govt;
§Executive is directly responsible to electorate.
Advantages of Presidential System:
§Direct mandate from the people;
§Continuity of policy & firmness of administration;
§Creates a stable executive;
§Unity of control & concerted policy;
§Speed & decisiveness;
§Impartial appointment of dept heads;
§Check & balance (separation of power);
§Legislature workload is small.
§Divides the government;
§Lack of direct involvement in legislature by the executive;
§Risk of an authoritarian executive;
§Irresponsible & dangerous executive;
§Difficult to change leadership.
4.3 Parliamentary Government:
+A representative system that features fusion of executive & legislative institutions & powers;
+A system of govt in which the power to make & execute laws is held by a parliament.
Features of Parliamentary Government:
§Two executive: dignified & efficient;
§Head state appoints head of govt;
§Head of govt appoints the ministries;
§Based on fusion of powers;
§Parliament is the focus of power;
§Head of govt advise head of state to dissolve parliament;
§Govt: responsible to the legislature;
§Govt: indirectly responsible to the electorate.
Advantages:
§Cooperation btwn executive & legislature;
§Easily obtain useful criticism.
§Faster legislative action;
§Flexibility & elasticity;
§High educative value;
§Suitable for ethnically or ideologically diverse/divided nation.
Disadvantages:
§Violates the theory of separation of power;
§Divides country into 2 groups;
§Inexperienced Cabinet ministers;
§Ever-changing Cabinet;
§Monopoly of political power;
§Lack of promptness & decisiveness in times of crisis.
4.4 Monarchy System:
+Source of all political authority found in one supreme leader (monarch);
+Usually known as a King/Queen/Emperor etc...;
+Monarch usually holds their position for life;
+Succession is usually based on hereditary.
Government officials:
§Agents of the Ruler;
§Carry out the will of the Ruler.
Government acts:
§Ruler’s act;
§Sanctioned by the Ruler.
+The Monarch has absolute power over every aspect of the state;
+Claims to receive authority from God (rule by divine right).
Limited Monarchy:
+Also known as constitutional monarchy;
+Authority of monarch is limited;
+Power of monarch is limited either forcefully/willingly;
+The monarch reigns but does not rule;
+State is rule by a government.
Advantages:
+Unifying & stabilizing influence;
+Becomes an umpire/referee to the govt
Disadvantages:
+No real authority;
+Only perform ceremonial duties
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