NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE, PLOT 91, CASDASTRAL ZONE, NNAMDI AZIKIWE EXPRESS WAY, JABI, ABUJA.
FACULTY OF SCIENCES
JANUARY 2021 EXAMINATION

Course Code: PAD 305

Credit Unit: 3

Course Title: ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT

Time Allowed: 2.30 HOURS

Instructions: 1. Attempt Question 1 and any other three (3) Questions.

2. Question 1 is compulsory and carries 25 marks while the other 3 Questions carry 15 marks each.

3. Present all your points in a coherent and orderly manner.

1(a) Critically examine the meaning of the term “government”. (10 Marks)

(b) With the aid of the social contract theory, discuss the functions of government (10 Marks)

(c) What is a state? (5 Marks)

2(a) “Democracy as a philosophical and political process has been subjected to a number of criticisms”. Examine the above assertion in the light of the criticism and limitations of Democracy (12 Marks)

(b) What is a Political Party? (3 Marks)

3(a) Discuss the functions of judiciary as an important component of a political system (10 Marks)

(b) What does the term judicial independence implies in a political system? (5 Marks)

4 List and discuss the characteristics of a parliamentary system of government. (15 Marks)
 

5(a) Differentiate between Gerontocracy and Plutocracy (10 Marks)

5(b) What do you understand by the term “separation of powers” (5 Marks)