Civics Week 5 6

WEEK 5
POPULAR PARTICIPATION
Popular participation is the involvement of people in the running of government in a
state. It is also a concept that explains the belief, perception, ideology and involvement of
people in the political and economic process of a state.
Types of Popular Participation

1. Population Participation: This is the involvement of the people in the political activities
in a state which help them to take part in the running of government.
2. Economic Participation: This is the level at which people participate or involve

themselves in the economic process of their society.
3. Intellectual Participation: This is the involvement of the
4. Religious participation: This is the activities to the worship of God. Christians and
Muslims worship in their own ways. There is also worship of lesser gods especially
among the ethnic groups in Nigeria. For instance Yoruba’s worship gods like Sango,
Ogun, Obatala etc.
5. Participation by Interest groups: To protect the interest of some businessmen and
workers, some groups of people organized themselves into trade union and
associations through which they can protect the interest of the members from
manipulation of the government e.g. Nigerian labour congress is the umbrella body
fighting for the interest of Nigeria workers.
Needs for popular participation
1. It reduced electoral malpractices: Politicians can manipulate electoral process and
falsify election results when they know that people are not actively engaged in the
electoral process of their community especially when the educated elite are politically
apathetic. Popular participation drives a society towards free and fair election.
2. Prevent emergency of dictators: To prevent emergency of dictators as the
representatives. The people will be able to check the excesses of the political leaders in
a state since people are represented at various levels and avenue to check power is
provided in the constitution.
3. It creates the atmosphere for growth and development: This is because it will create an
atmosphere where people can contribute their quota (productivity) in enhancing the
political and economic activities of the state. This popular participation will translate into
growth and development which will result in high quality of life and standard of living for
the people.
4. It reduces civic violence: When everybody can participate in politics they will not see
any head to promote violence. As a matter of fact people will be ready to co-habit
peacefully with each other in order to allow for political and economic peace and
stability.
5. Political education: Through popular participation in politics, many people will be
informed and enlightened about political happenings in the society and this will promote
growth and development.
Modern mode of popular participation in the civil society
Popular participation in the traditional era was direct and crude. This is because society
at that time was fragmented(divided) and not as complex as we have today in our modern
world. Thus people were able to come together and make decisions that relate to them, their
family and business. Communal development was the key principle that drives everybody
towards active participation at that time. However in the modern day society participation is not
as direct as it was during the traditional era. Today people only register as voters, vote during
election and delegate their powers to the elected representative.
The following are forms of popular participation in politics in Nigeria.
- Conduct of election.
- Attending political rallies / campaigns
- Law making process
- Party membership
- Economic participation.
WEEK 6
DEMOCRACY
Democracy means the government of the majority. Democracy is a form of government
that originally started in Athens an ancient city of Greece where every adult citizen meet
regularly in the town hall to make necessary decisions that relate to their socio-economic and
political life. This form of government was called direct democracy. However as the society was
growing larger and becoming complex, the need arose to select a few that will represent the
interest of others who selected them. This is what led to indirect or representative democracy.
Types of Democracy
1. Direct or classical democracy: This is a type of democracy in which all the citizens meet
together in one place to discuss issues affecting their community and take certain Greek
city states.
2. Indirect or representative democracy: This may happen when citizens choose or elect
their representatives who will govern them according to the wishes of the people. Such
people are elected in a free and fair election.
Features of a Democratic State
1. Free and fair election: In a democracy, there is peaceful change of government through
a free and fair election which should be conducted by an independent electoral body.
2. Multi-party system: There should be opportunity for multi party system so that people
can choose the party they intend to join.
3. Universal adult suffrage: All qualified citizens should be allowed to vote and they should
not be denied of this political right on flimsy excuse.
4. Periodic election: In a democracy, election is conducted at intervals and at a specific
period based on the constitution of the state. For instance, in Nigeria, election is
conducted every four years.
5. Opposition groups: Democracy can thrive where opposition parties and groups are
allowed to express their views without any hindrance. This will promote stability in
government.
6. Equal political rights: Every citizen should enjoy the same treatment such as the
adoption of one man, one vote.
7. Liberty: The rights of the people must be protected in a democratic state and such rights
must be written and protected by the constitution.

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WEEK 5

Types of Popular Participation

2. Economic Participation: This is the level at which people participate or involve

3. Intellectual Participation: This is the involvement of the

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