SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT

The following are the various systems of government:

 PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM
• It is a system of government in which the President is directly elected by the
people to govern for fix number of years, usually four years.
• President elected, acts as both head of government and head of state.
• Under the system, the president is directly elected by the electorates and is
therefore directly responsible to the people.
• President is removed from office through a process of impeachment if he or
she contravenes any part of the constitution.
• Examples of countries practicing presidential system are: Nigeria, Liberia
Benin, Angola, Argentina, Kenya, Ghana, Malawi,
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Systems of Government Contd….
 PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM
• This is also known as cabinet system of government.
• In this system, the head of government which is the prime minister is
different from the head of state.
• The head of state on the other hand is just a ceremonial head that has no
constitutional roles to perform but only act an adviser to the government.
• Prime minister runs the government and he is also the leader of the political
party that forms the government.
• Functions of the arms of government are fused together and not distinct.
• Examples of countries practicing parliamentary system are: UK, Germany,
India, Denmark, Hungary, and Jamaica

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Systems of Government Contd….
 Quasi-Presidential System
• It is also refers to collegiate system of government.
• Only practised in Switzerland.
• In this system of government the executive arm of government is
refers to as Federal Executive Council
• Federal Executive Council consists of seven members usually
elected from the federal legislature.
• Members are elected into the federal executive council they
ceased from being a member of the federal legislature.

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 Systems of Government Contd….
 Federal System
• States or regions come together to establish a central authority or
without losing their sovereignty to the central authority or government.
• Powers and functions are shared between the central government and
components states.
• In a federation, there must be a supreme independent and impartial
judiciary as the guardian and interpreter of the constitution.
• Constitution is supreme
• Component states have no right to secede from the federation.
• Constitution is written and rigid.
• Examples of countries practicing federal system are: Nigeria, USA, Liberia
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 Systems of Government Contd….
 Confederal System
• It is a system of government where the components states or regions
are more powerful than the central authority.
• It is refers to as a loose union. The central authority on; holds the
functions and powers of defence, international relations, currency etc
other functions and powers are left for the states or regional
government to perform.
• Under this system, citizens of component states are loyal to the state
authority and not the central authority.
• Component states can secede from the union. The constitution is
written but flexible.
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 Systems of Government Contd….
 Unitary System
• It is a system of government where functions and powers are
concentrated in the hands of one person or authority.
• Powers and functions are not shared between the central authority
and the component states or regions.
• Under this system, the citizens are subjects of the central authority
irrespective of their states or regions.
• The component sates or regions only serve as a mere administrative
office to the central authority.
• The constitution is flexible and written.
• Examples of countries practicing federal system are: Great Britain,
Ghana, and Togo
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ASSIGNMENT
 From the ancient time to the present period, men had lived and are till living
under various forms of government, Discuss these forms of government.
 Assignment to be submitted with your name and matriculation number
online either in Microsoft Word or PDF.

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 FURTHER READINGS

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