FORMS OF GOVERNMENTS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

FORMS OF GOVERNMENTS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1.  a) What arguments are advanced in favour of one party system of

government in the USSR?

i) Promotion of national unity – is by minimizing political conflicts based on ethnic or regional or religious consideration, ii) Promotion of development – because people’s energies are concentrated on development and not divisive party policies, iii) Vanguard of revolution changes- therefore it should have the sole responsibility of running the state, iv) Promotion of the interests of the working class – a one party system of government makes it easier to organize and promote the interests of the working class which is the important class in the society,

1. Embodiment of the national identity – one party state promotes direct contact between the people and the government.
2. It is argued that it promotes the best form of democracy in the world and allows discussions in the party.

b) Described the structure of the government in USSR?

i)  Federal government – is in-charge of running the whole country of union through the Supreme Soviet, the presidium and the council of ministries, ii)  Republican government – the Soviet Union is composed of union republics and autonomous republics, which have their own

government responsible for running affairs in each of the republics, iii) Local government- At the local level the organs of states power are the soviet of working people deputies they are elected by the people of the respective territories region areas district cities or localities. They are responsible for maintaining public order and directly local economic and cultural affairs and draw p the local budgets, iv) The Supreme Soviet – This is the highest organ of the soviet government. It consists of two chambers, the soviet of the union and the soviet of Nationalities. It is elected for a term of 4 years and is headed by a chairman. But it meets only once or twice a year. In the interim it delegates its powers to the presidium of the Supreme Soviet.

1. The Presidium – It is the authority to convene the sessions of the supreme soviet, issue decrees and interpret soviet laws, dissolve the supreme soviet and order new elections, order referendums, annual decisions and order ministers if they do not conform to laws, appoint and remove the high command of armed forces, declare war, ratifying international treaties, receive letters of credence of foreign diplomats and appoint minister if they don’t conform to laws.
2. The council of ministers / cabinet – it is responsible and accountable to the Supreme Soviet, or in the intervals between the sessions of the Supreme Soviet, to the presidium. The council

   directs the work of the ministries, prepares the national economic plan and budget, overseas public order, exercises general guidelines over foreign affairs, fixes the annual quota of citizens to be called up for military service, and can set up special committees and central administrations of economic and cultural affairs and defence. The council of ministers has a chairman sometimes called premier or prime minister

1. a) Give three reasons why Lenin introduced the New Economic policy in

   the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic USSR.

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   i) The Marxist economic policies which has been introduced by the

   Bolsheviks had failed ii) To attract foreign investment iii) To encourage peasants to produce more food, iv) To revive industrial production that had collapsed because of the

   First World War and the civil wars

   v) To re-establish foreign trade that had collapsed after the 1917 revolution vi) To create employment opportunities.

    

   b) Discuss six factors which have contributed to the emergence of the

   USSR
   as an industrial power.

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   i) The USSR had developed a strong agricultural base as a result of the establishment of collective farms. This facilitated the production of industrial raw materials and food, ii) Rehabilitation programmes of the 1920’s and 1930 provided a bases for further industrial expansion.

   iii) Existence of a large population provided labour for industrial advancement, iv) The USSR had technological and scientific knowhow form Germans after her defeat in the Second World War. She used this for her industrial development/technological know-how,

   v) Establishment of the USSR’s influence over most parts of Eastern Europe after the second world war enabled her to acquire vast markets for her industrial produce/external markets, vi) Foreign investment contributed to industrial development/availability of capital, vii) Good economic planning especially the five-year plans enabled

   USSR to achieve her objectives in her industrial development. viii) Availability of vast natural resources (Mineral resources) for example coal and iron ore contributes to further industrial growth, ix) Good communication and transport network facilitated the transportation of raw materials and industrial products.

   x) Availability of sources of powers e.g. coal and H.E.P.

2. a)  List three ways through which a person may become a member of

   parliament in Britain.

   i)  By election to the House of Commons ii)  Nomination to the House of Lords by the Queen/Monarch iii) By virtue of holding certain offices e.g. Bishop of the Church of

   England and some judges, iv)  By becoming a member of the House of Lords through inheritance

   b) State four factors which may limit the supremacy of parliament in

   Britain.

   1. Parliament is the supreme institution in Britain. All other institutions derive their power from it.
   2. Parliament is the only institution empowered to make, amend and abolish laws. No other institution has the right to order-ride the legislations of parliament/passing of bills, iii) Parliament is the only institution empowered to approve government budget, iv) Decisions of parliament are biding to all. They cannot be over ruled or nullified by a court of law.

      v) Parliament has the powers to remove an unpopular government from office.

3. a) State five conditions that had to be fulfilled in order to become a

   member of the communist party of the Union of Soviet Socialists

   Republic (USSR).

   1. A person had a citizenship of the Soviet Union.
   2. A person had to actively practice supporter of communism.
   3. A person had to be a staunch supporter of communism iv) To become a full member of the party, a person had to successfully complete a probation period of one year.
   4. A person had to be prepared to accept all party resolutions without question.
   5. A person had to apply for party membership. The application was screened by a committee made up of a party youth wing (Komsomol).
   6. One had to be an outstanding/responsible member of the society

      e.g. Intellectuals, scientists, outstanding workers and peasants.

   b) Explain how the USSR government was organized before the break up of the union.

   i) The USSR was a federal republic made up of about fifteen republics ii) The head of state was a resident iii) According to the soviet constitution, each member state had status in the union.

   1. Membership to the union, according to the constitution was voluntary – individual member states had the right to choose to be members or secede,
   2. The highest organ of the Federal Government was the Supreme Soviet (Council) which was a bicameral legislature. It was made up of the soviet of the union and the Soviet of the nationalities. vi)  Each republic was represented in the two houses of the Supreme

   Soviet, vii) Representatives of the two houses of the Supreme Soviet were elected through adult universal suffrage.

   viii) The federal government took charge of the foreign policy, defence and other sensitive issues, ix) Candidates were chosen by the communist party,

   x) Each republic had its own constitution and government run by a council of working people’s deputies, xi) The council of working people’s deputies was responsible for the internal affairs and law and order, xii) The Communists Party had all control of government at all levels. For instance, it defined and determined government policy and elected the president

5.  a) State advantages of a federal system of government

1. A federal system of government makes it possible for several states to work as one political unit.
2. It ensures that the interests of smaller states and groups are protected/security.
3. It makes it possible for member states to benefit from the federal pool of resources/economics of scale.
4. Federalism makes it possible for member states to solve common problem together
5. It makes available a large market of goods produced in the various

states, vi) Promotes trade within the federation by eliminating problems of customs duties and boundaries / establishing common currencies.

vii) It makes it possible for member states to be together without losing their identity, viii) Facilitates interaction between people of different states and nationalities, ix) It provides checks and balances in the systems between the central government and the states.

b) Explain how the government of the US A is organized.

i) The USA is a federal republic made up of about 50 (49, 51) states ii) The head of state is a president who is elected every four years. Fie is the chief executive but he is not a member of the legislative.

iii) There is separation of powers between the executives, legislature and judiciary, iv) It has a bicameral legislature (congress). The congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate,

v) Each state is divided into a number of electoral constituencies each of which elects representatives from each state. vi) Each state has its own court system. The federal court (The

Supreme Court) is the high –test court in the country.

1. Functions of the government are shared between the federal government and state governments.
2. The federal government tasks are of major issues, foreign affairs, defence and making general laws for all American regulating trade and commerce and issuing the currency.
3. Each state has its own government to deal with matters pertaining to

   their territories.

4. The secretaries are appointed by the president and are not member of the congress.
5. State government deal with matters pertaining to their territories

   e.g. agriculture, education, health.

6. There is a vice president who is appointed by the president with the approval of the party.

1. a)  State 3 ways in which a British citizen may become a member of

   parliament.

   1. By being elected to the House of Commons in general election.
   2. By being created a peer by the queen to become a member of the

      House Lords/nomination.

   3. By inheriting a set in the House of Lords.
   1. List six functions of the queen of Britain

      i)  She is the head of the state and commander- in- chief of the armed forces ii)  She opens parliament / does not convene iii) She invites the leader of the wining party to become the prime minister iv) She invites the prime minister and creates political peers

   v)  She represents the country international forums vi) She gives assent to bills before they become law.

   vii)  She appoints the Arch Bishop of the Church of England viii) She is the symbolic head of commonwealth ix)  She bestows honours to deserving persons

   x)  She exercises prerogative of mercy and grants pardon to convicted criminal/person/fountain of justice, xi)  She creates peers

    

   1. Explain 3 roles played the House of Lords in the British

      Parliamentary system.

      i)  The House of Lords checks the powers of the House of Commons and therefore prevents nasty legislation. Bills from the House of

   Common have to go the House of Lords for debate and approval, ii) It provides a forum for the utilization of the talents of people who could not win a general election. These people are created peers by the queen and become members of the House of Lords, iii) It enhances unity in the country as commoners are created Lords by the queen and then become members of the House of Lord, iv) It provides continuity in operations in parliament. Old and experienced peers retain their seats in the House of Lords until they die, so they provide guidance to new and young politicians.

1. a) What are the sources of the British Constitution.
   1. Act of parliament e.g. the magma Carat, the parliament Act of

      1911.

   2. The British conventions which have been used from generation to generations over a long period of time. For example, those who protect the British citizens against the excess of the executive, iii) Decisions made by the British law courts from time became part of the British constitution e.g. in 1884 the supremacy of parliament was established by the courts of Britain, iv)  The Hansard and – official verbatim report of proceeding in the parliament,

      v)  Royal prerogatives / powers of king or queen to declare war or make treaties of peace, vi) Legal publications by reputable authorities e.g. scholars, lawyers, statements, political thinkers. .

   b) Describe how the government of the USSR was organized.

   1. The USSR was a federation of several socialists’ republics. The federation was headed by a president.
   2. The Supreme Soviet was the highest law making institutions, iii) The Supreme Soviet was made up of two houses, the soviet of the nationalities, iv) There existed a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister who was also the head of the government.
   3. Each state had its own government and parliament.
   4. The union government was in charge of defence, currency, and foreign policy, vii) There were local Soviets to run affairs at the local level.

   viii) System of occurs existed from the local to the federal level. The courts were independent, ix) The communist party controlled the government at all levels. It was the supreme political force in the USSR.

   x) The community party was the only legal political party in the country. xi) The leader of the communist’s party was the most powerful person in the USSR.

8.  a) Explain why the ancient regime in France had become unpopular in

1789.

1. The kings possessed absolute and unquestionable powers. Their word was law.
2. The Kings claimed divine authority and so were above the law.

   They used this claim to control people’s lives.

3. The royal family lied lavishly while the commoners lived in extreme poverty/famine, iv) The Kings tolerated no criticism; the opponents were sentenced to death with ruthlessness.

v) The clergy and nobility had a privilege position in the state. They were the first and second class citizens and owned all the land which they rented to commoners. vi) The nobles and the clergy were exempted from paying taxes while the commoners paid heavily, vii) The middle class which was made up of the professionals eg. Lawyers, teachers and doctors were excluded from government to their dissatisfaction.

viii) The peasants were over – burdened with many types of taxes which were collected ruthlessly, ix) They were subjected to other ills such as forced labour unfair evictions by the landlords.

b) Discuss the French s /stems of government from 1871.

i) France became a republic in 1871 with an executive president, ii) The president is assisted by a Prime Minister who is his appointee.

1. The president is elected by direct popular vote to a seven year term of office through according to the French constitution the president can be elected for a second term.
2. The president with the help of the prime minister chooses a team of minister who are charged with irresponsibility of making and implementing government policies,
3. Defence and foreign affairs fall under the direct responsibility of the president / commander in chief of the armed forces, vi) The

   National Assembly is the law making body in France although its

   power is limited to certain areas e.g. taxation, nationalization of industries and declaration of war. vii) The president has the right to dissolve parliament in the event of a national crisis and rule by decree.

viii)  France has a bicameral parliament consisting of the senate and the national assembly. The senate is elected to a five – year term and has more powers, ix)  The power is shared between the president and the prime minister.

 x)  The president is the arbitrator and guardian of the constitution, ix)

France has a multipart y democracy.

1. Name one organization which has been formed by the organization of Africa Unity (OAU) member countries to promote economic co-operation among Southern African countries.
   1. Preferential Trade Area (PTA) of Eastern and Southern Africa /

      COMESA

   2. Southern Africa Development coordination conference (SADCC)

      SADEC

2. a)  What role does the Queen of England play in relation to the British

   government?

   1. At the end of election, ,, the monarch invites the leaders of the party with the majority votes in the House of Commons to form the next government / invites the Prime Minister.
   2. The Monarch is the legal head of the state and the symbol of national unity.
   3. Before a bill becomes law the Monarch gives the Royal Assent. iv) The Monarch has the powers to officially dissolved parliament at the end of its tenure of office.
   4. The Monarch approves the appointment of the cabinet.
   5. The Monarch nominates members to the House of the Lord / makes

   peers vii)  She exercises the prerogative of mercy on conflicts and criminals.

 viii)  She summons the parliament after general election ix) The

Monarch is the commander in chief of the armed forces.

 b)  Describe the functions of the British Parliament

i)  The British parliament discuses and makes laws. It also amends laws when need arises. ii)  Parliament control government expenditure the approval of parliament is mandatory. iii)  Parliament approves the government budget and ways of raising money. iv)  It directs government foreign policy and keeps development programmes on tract.

1. It checks the power of the executive to ensure that the rule of law is maintained / can pass a vote of no confidence.
2. Discuss / debates issues of national interest.

11.  State one privilege which members of the British Parliament enjoy.

i) Freedom of Speech ii)  Freedom from harassment within precincts of parliament e.g. arrest iii) Protection against arrest for civil offences for a period of forty days before and forty day after parliament.

1. Distinguish between written an unwritten constitution.

   A written constitution is one which is available in a formal document whereas unwritten constitution is one which does not exist in a formal document.

2. a) Describe the structure of the communist party in the Union of Soviet

   Republic (USSR)

   i) The highest organ of the communists party structure was the all – union party congress was the final decision making organ. ii) The next organ was the central committee whose main function was to ratify decisions made by the party congress.

   1. Another important party organ was the politburo / presidium of the central committee it made decisions when the committee was in the recess.
   2. The central party committee controlled and supervised the function of the various departments e.g. the army, finance and personnel.
   3. The secretariat was the next organ in the political set up of the communists party. It played a role in the formation of government policy.
   4. Youth wing (Komsomol)

    

    

    

   b) Discuss 6 critics that have been advanced against the communist party in the USSR.

   1. The part was highly elitist and exclusive and membership was confined to a fear/selected citizens such as government officers, intellectuals, scientists, secret police and outstanding workers.

    

   1. Membership to the party was restricted and therefore was not represented of the masses, e.g. by 1973 out of a total population of 200 million people only 15 million people were members of the party.
   2. Members and applicants of the party were subjected to scrutiny and strict party discipline. Those who did not meet these demands lost their membership / were not accepted.
   3. The party deprived the majority of the population democratic participation in their governance since it could not possibly represents the wishes of the people.
   4. The party established organs for the youth. These were the union of the young wing (Komsomol) between ages 5 and 28 and the octobrists for those up to 10 years. These organs K were used to propagate the ideals of communism and loyalty to their country and hence brainwashed them.
   5. The communist party was dictatorial and undemocratic at all levels – it did not give the citizens a chance to choose other forms of governance.
3. State one advantage of a written constitution over an unwritten constitution.

   i) A written constitutional is readily available for ease of reference and application / use ii) A written constitution promotes uniformity of application in various situation. iii) A written constitutional does not give much room for manipulation.

4. State two features of the government of France in the 20th Century.

   i) It is multiparty democracy ii) Power is shared between the President and Prime Minister iii) The president is the executive head of government iv)  There- is a legislative which is composed of a senate and national assembly.

   1. Presidential elections are held every 7 years.
   2. National assembly elections are held every 5 years vii)

   Senate elections are held every 9 years.

5. State the main reason why the USSR adopted a one party system

   To promote national unity.

1. a) Describe the functions of the president of the United States of

   America (USA)

   1. The president is the head of state.
   2. He appoints cabinet minister and senior civil servants with approval of the congress iii)  He guides and

      controls foreign affairs/ chief diplomat. iv) He is the commander in chief of the Armed forces.

   v) He presides over the senate. vi)  He presides cabinet meetings
   vii) He appoints the supreme court judges including the Chief Justice.

   viii) The president is the head of government.

   b) Explain how the system of government of the USA works

   1. It is federal system of government consisting of 50 states.
   2. Each state is a republic with its own government.
   3. Each states is headed by governor iv) Each state has its own constitution guiding

      internal affairs

   v) The federal government is headed by president vi) The president is assisted by the vice president who can take over in case the president dies.

   1. The federal government has bicameral legislature / congress made up to two houses. The Senate and the House of Representatives.
   2. Members of the congress are elected by popular votes /each represented in the congress.
   3. The congress makes law
   4. State judiciary comprises of the federal courts and the Supreme

      Court.

   5. The Supreme Court is the highest court. xii)  There is separation of powers between the legislation and judiciary.

      xiii)  The federal government controls foreign affairs defense trade, taxation issuing currency and solving disputes between states and citizens of

 different states.