CIVIC EDUCATION: BAD GOVERNANCE
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On today’s pupil’s forum, Civic Education will look at a topic ‘Bad Governance’. This topic is at Grade 10 level of the Zambian syllabus. At the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:
Explain bad governance
Describe the characteristics of bad governance
BAD GOVERNANCE
Bad Governance is a government which is not legitimate, competent, and accountable and does not respect human rights and the rule of law.
It is a government which rules against the wishes of the people. E.g. dictatorship.
CHARACTERISTICS OF BAD GOVERNANCE
Restriction on Political parties
People are forced to vote for certain candidates whenever elections are held. Opposition parties are not allowed to exist or strictly controlled by the government
Lack of separation of powers
The three organs of the government do not work independent such as the operations of the Judiciary and the legislature should not be interfered by the executive.
Lack of press freedom
The press is controlled by the government and often report favorably on government policies. Opposing view is not allowed in public media.
Violation of Human Rights
There is no respect for Human rights. People who oppose the government can be tortured and detained without trial or can be killed
Judiciary not independent
The Judiciary is not independent from the Executive and the legislature. There is little respect for the rule of law and there is no fair trial.
Arbitrary arrests
There are arbitrary arrests of suspected dissidents who are critical of the government. The secret police spies on the citizens
Lack of freedom of association and Assembly
Voluntary associations such as civil societies do not operate freely. Those which do not conform to government policies can be banned
Neglect of public welfare
Government Leaders do not care for the welfare of the people. There to No. is 031 corruption, Nepotism and other forms 5BUMERASCEND4 of abuse of of1 2 3
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ORDE S fice
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OUSE ED
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R V T The government uses force to remain in
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ROODN power and other methods such as consti
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D E LV
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E YMEN A election dates
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E RR RO G
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APRE E
If held is vote
Use of force
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S T Irregular and Unfair elections POUSE
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Elections are not held regularly. they are not free and fair. There rigging
Lack of Citizen Participation
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The government decides for the people. People become servants instead of masters of the government. The government claims to know what is Nation good for Puzzle the peo032 ple. People are rarely consulted and their concerns are often ignored
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Electoral systems
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Electoral systems are methods through
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which the governed choose their leaders
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or representatives
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Exercise
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Explain the term bad Governance State and explain any five characteris
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tics of a bad Governance 21 11
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