We need government! OBJECTIVES

1. Be able to define,and use correctly, the terms and concepts associated with the political institution.

2. Identify and explain the necessity for government.

GOVERNMENT

A government is the system by which a country is controlled, or the person or group of people exercising authority over a politically organised territory. It is the means by which state policy is enforced, and acts as the mechanism for determining the policy of a country.

WHY DO WE NEED GOVERNMENT?

■ It is needed to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, and promote the general welfare of citizens.

■ Without a government there will be only anarchy. We need to maintain law and order for keeping the society stable. No society can prosper without stability. The purpose of government is to make sure that the people in a society have safe, comfortable lives.

How is your dictionary going? Match the term with the definition

Define the following terms/concepts:

1. Head of government

2. Head of state

3. Hung parliament

4. Laws

5. Leader of the opposition

6. Manifesto

7. Member of parliament (MP)

8. Parliament

9. Political party

10. Prime minister

11. Representative

12. Royal assent

DID YOU KNOW?

Electoral process refers to the method by which a person is elected to public office or the taking and counting of votes. The process usually gives the right or ability to make a choice. The electoral process is one in which citizens select men and women they want to run the government. In a democracy, people are selected to run for a certain period of time, which is called a term of office; this is FIVE years in Jamaica. In Jamaica, our system of government is called a constitutional monarchy. As individuals, we do not make governmental decisions directly. We elect officials to govern for us. We vote for councillors, and members of parliament directly, but not for prime ministers or for the governor general. Members of parliament (MP) are chosen by each constituency and MPs make up the House of Representatives. Not all constituencies have the same numbers of electors. The Parliament of Jamaica has two chambers: The House of Representative or the Lower House, and the Senate or the Upper House.

■ There should always be a strong relationship between citizens and governments.

■ The constitution is the document that sets out the rights and freedom of a country’s citizens.

■ The rights and freedoms of citizens of Commonwealth Caribbean countries include:

1. The right to life, liberty, security of the person, and the use and enjoyment of property.

2. The protection of the law and the right to equality.

3. The right to join a political party and to express political views.

4. Freedom of movement.

5. Freedom of the press.

6. Freedom of thought and expression.

Please research for more information.

■ As citizens, we have responsibilities that go with our rights and freedoms:

a. To pay our taxes in order to provide for public infrastructure and services.

b. To obey the laws of our country and always abide by, and know as much as possible, the principles set out in the constitution.

c. To help in the protection of our country and in the conservation of its wealth and its resources.

■ We, therefore, must respect the rights and freedoms of our fellowmen and cooperate fully to achieve national goals and development.

■ The ombudsman ensures that citizens’ interests are not abused by any government department. This individual investigates all allegations of poor administration and reports the findings to Parliament. The ombudsman does not investigate complaints for which legal remedies are available.

You need to know the structure of our Government.

SOURCES:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/Education/ GlossaryElementary/index.asp http://www.why.do/why-do-we-need-government/ Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC Examinations,

Cresser, J. Gumbs, N & Lord, (2013) L. Pearson Education Ltd.

Modules in Social Studies, New Edition, Ramsawak, R & Umraw, R. (2009) Caribbean Educational Publishers.

ACTIVITIES

1. Suggest THREE reasons why governments are necessary.

2. Suggest THREE ways in which you can help to achieve the goals and national development of your country. Explain your answer.

3. Explain what you understand from the diagram below about the formation of government in your country?