UNIQUE FRIENDS SCHOOLSCONTENT POPULAR PARTICIPATION
Popular participation is the willingness and active involvement of the people in the conduct of the affairs of the state at various levels. Popular participation is important in democracy and it allows for effective operation and stability of the political system.
Reasons for Popular participation in the society
1. Promotion of political awareness and educations
2. Decision making
3. Failure of past government
4. Correction of the ills in the society
5.Political Stability
6. Respect and prestige
7. Management of nation's resources
8. Promotion of Popular consciousness
9. Enhancement of development
10. Creation of greater opportunities
Factors that can Promote Popular Participation
1.Good governance.
2.Supremacy of the constitution.
3.Respect for human rights.
4.Mass education.
5.Enlightenment campaign.
6.Freedom of press.
7.Application of rule of law.
8.Free and fair election.
Reasons why people do not participate in politics
1.Unfulfilled political promises: People refuse to participate in public affairs due to the failure or inability of the leaders to fulfill their promises.
2.Illiteracy: The illiterates in the society see political activities as the birthright of the educated elite. Those who cannot read and write cannot be allowed to contest for any elective position. Therefore, they do not see any need to be actively involved in public affairs.
3.Violence DuringElection: Many people stay from popular participation because of the frequent violence that characterized most elections. They prefer to sit at home to avoid being victims of violence.
4.Poverty: Money plays a major role in any political system. The cost of electioneering campaign is high. Many good candidates cannot afford to meet this financial obligation hence they remain at the level of mere voters.
5.Cultural/Religious Beliefs: Some religions and culture do not allow women to take active part in public affairs. They see it as the duty of men.
6.Fear of Intimidation: Most people believe that the influential in the society could easily use their position to intimidate anybody they perceive as a viable opposition.
7.Disability: Those who are physically challenged may not be able to participate actively in politics even when they have the interest.
8.Military Intervention: Frequent intervention of military in the administration of the state can create lack of interest in political affairs.
9.Election Rigging: People refuse to participate in politics because they believe their vote will not count. Hence, they prefer to stay back and watch from far.
Benefits in active participation of citizens in political process
1. Legitimacy of elected government
2. National development
3. Political stability
4. Responsible and responsive government
5. Political awareness
6. Credible elections peace and harmony
7. Peaceful order of succession
8. Accountability, transparency, due process and probity
9. Conducive environment for business/investment
10. Good governance
EVALUATION
1. Define popular participation.
2.Give reasons for popular participation in the society
3. Give reasons why some people do not participate in politics.
WEEK TWO
HOW POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS ARE FORMED
Popular organizations are those organized groups whose membership cuts across different areas of the society with clearly defined objectives. An example is a political party. As an organized group, a political party is an association of people with similar political ideology whose major objective is to contest election and gain political power in order to obtain control of government.
The formation of political party can take the following forms:
Socio-Cultural Organization: Many political parties started as cultural organizations. The Action Group (AG) started as a cultural association known as EgbeOmonOduduwa while the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) sprang up from a popular Northern cultural association calledJamiyyaMutanemArewa.
Religious Organizations: Political parties can be formed based on religious beliefs and doctrines. This is common in countries where a particular religion is predominant. Examples of such associations are Christian Democratic Union in Germany and Muslim League in Pakistan. Countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Israel are nations where political parties are formed based on religious beliefs.
Government in Power: The government in power may decide to form or create political parties for the country. Former president, General Ibrahim Babangida formed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) that contested the 1993 elections.
LabourOrganizations: Political parties can transform into a political party that seeks to promote the interest of the organization. Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria and Workers’ Solidarity Party in Indonesia are examples.
Constitution: The constitution defines the party system in any state. It also determines the requirements for the formation of any party. There are three major types of party system: One-party, Two-party and Multi-party system.
EVALUATION
1. Define political party.
2. Mention four ways political parties are formed.
ROLES OF POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS/POLITICAL PARTIES
1. They help to promote democratic principles.
2. They ensure accountability of government officials.
3. They promote peaceful change of government.
4. They bring about unity among different groups and interests.
5. They serve as watchdogs on elected representatives.
6. They provide political education to the public.
7. They provide welfare and humanitarian services.
EVALUATION
1. Mention four roles of popular organization.
2. How can popular organization ensure accountability in government?
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. What is democracy?
2. Differentiate between classical and representative democracy
3. Outline five disadvantages of democracy
4. Describe three ways popular organizations are formed.
5. What four roles can popular organizations play to promote democracy?
READING ASSIGNMENT
Formation of Popular Organisation: Fundamentals of Civic Education for Senior Secondary Book 2, Sola Akinyemi 38-40.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
SECTION A
Instruction: From the options lettered A-D, choose the letter that is most appropriate for the following questions. Answer all the questions.
1. Popular organization whose major aim is to control government is called? A. Civil society B. Public corporation C. Political party D. Pressure group
2. The Northern People’s Congress was an offshoot of?A. EgbeOmonOduduwa B. Arewa Consultative Forum C. JamiyyaMutanemArewa D. Odua People’s Congress
3. The formation of NRC and SDP is traceable to A. OlusegunObasanjo B.MurtalaMuhammed
C. Ibrahim Babangida D.SaniAbacha
4. A state that recognizes three political parties is said to operate ….. system A. three-party
B. zero-party C. multi-party D. one-party
5. The Workers Solidarity Party was a political party in A. Nigeria B.GhanaC.Indonesia D. Germany
SECTION B
1. Briefly explain the following: i. Zero-party system ii. One-party system iii. Multi-party system
2. Explain three roles of popular organizations in the development of the society.