Pillars of Democracy

WEEK EIGHT

TOPIC: PILLARS OF DEMOCRACY.

Pillars of democracy refer to theessential elements necessary for successful practice of democracy. They are structures that must be in place for the sustainability of democracy. Without them, democracy will be futile. They are as follows:

PEOPLE: Without the people, the society will not exist and without the people, democracy will not be in place because it is the people that will practice it. The role of the people to make it work in their nation is vital because everysystem of government need people for it to be functional. The following are the roles of the people in making 

democracy that work. They are:

1. Participation in election.
2. Willingness to embrace democracy.
3. Loyalty to the nation.
4. Willingness to join a political party.
5. Willingness to serve the nation.

THE ARMS OF GOVERNMENT: This refers to the organs of government. They are the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

A. LEGISLATURE: The legislature comprises the Senate and the House of Representatives. They are the law making body of the government. The head of the Senate is called the Senate President while the head of the House is called Speaker. At the state level, there is only one House of Assembly and is headed by the Speaker. Some of its functions are as follows:             

1. Making laws.
2. Passing appropriation bill.
3. Acts as check on the activities of the executive and the judiciary.
4. Confirming the appointment of political appointees forwarded to it.

B. EXECUTIVE

This is the organ that enforces laws and policies for the nation.The federal executive is headed by the president, the state is headed by the governor while the local government level is headed by the chairman. Some of its functions are:

1. It appoints and removes members of the cabinet.
2. It prepares annual budgets and its implementation.
3. The presidency maintains foreign relations with other nations.
4. It implements laws made by the legislature.

C. JUDICIARY

This is the arm of government that interprets the law made by the legislature which is made up of magistrates, judges and chief judges. The head of judiciary in Nigeria is the Chief Justice of the Federation. Some of its functions are as follows:

1. It interprets the law.
2. It settles disputes.
3. It protects the constitution.
4. It helps in preventing violations of laws.

EVALUATION

Mention three functions of the judiciary