The West African Examination Council (WAEC) 2024 WAEC Government Syllabus 2024, Latest 2024 WAEC Syllabus for Government Exam is out.
We are pleased to inform all WAEC students participating in the WASSCE exam that the WAEC official has released the latest WAEC 2024 government syllabus.
The 2024 Waec Government Syllabus contains all the recommended topics to read and study against your Waec exam.
2024 WAEC Government Syllabus – Latest WAEC Syllabus for Government.
PREAMBLE
This syllabus aims to assess the candidate’s ability to
(a) define the concept of Government and show his understanding of its principles, institutions, and processes;
(b) recognize his role as an informed citizen and his contribution towards the achievement of national development;
(c) evaluate the successes, failures, and problems of governments in West Africa;
(d) appreciate the role of his country as a member of the international community.
RUBRICS AND SCHEME OF EXAMINATION
There will be two papers – Papers 1 and 2, which must be taken.
PAPER 1: An hour-long multiple-choice objective test will consist of fifty (50) questions covering the entire syllabus, with a weighted contribution of 40%.
PAPER 2: A 2½-hour essay-type test will include sections A and B.
SECTION A: ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT
This shall contain five (5) questions, of which candidates must attempt any two (2) only.
SECTION B: POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN
WEST AFRICA AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
This shall contain seven (7) questions, of which candidates must attempt any three (3) only. The weighted contribution of this paper shall be 60%.
DETAILED SYLLABUS
SECTION A: ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT
1. MEANING AND SCOPE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER – GOVERNMENT
(i) Government as an institution of the state.
(ii) Government as a process or art of governing.
(iii) Government as an academic field of study.
2. BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT
(i) Basic Concepts – Power, Authority, Legitimacy, Sovereignty, Democracy, Political Culture, Political Socialization, Communalism, Socialism, Communism, Capitalism, Feudalism, Fascism, Nazism, Totalitarianism, Society, State and Nation, Colonialism and Nationalism.
(ii) Basic Principles – Rule of Law, Fundamental Human Rights, Separation of Powers/Checks and balances, Constitutionalism, Political Participation, Representative Government, Centralization and Decentralization – (Delegated Legislation, Devolution and Deconcentration).
3. CONSTITUTIONS
(i) Definition and sources.
(ii) Scope.
(iii) Types – Written and Unwritten; rigid and flexible.
(iv) Functions.
4. TYPES/FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
Unitary, Federal, Confederal, Presidential or non-parliamentary, Parliamentary or Cabinet, Monarchical and Republican.
5. ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
The Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. (Types/structure, composition/membership, functions, power, and limitations).
6. CITIZENSHIP
Status, Rights, Duties, and Obligations of individuals in the state.
7. POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMS
(i) Political Parties – definition, organization, types and functions.
(ii) Party Systems – definition, types, and characteristics.
8. THE ELECTORAL PROCESS
(i) Meaning, Types and Suffrage.
(ii) Purposes of Elections.
(iii) Organization of Elections – Features of free and fair elections; stages of elections.
(iv) Types and characteristics of Electoral systems.
(v) Electoral Commission – Roles or duties of electoral commissions. Problems,
Organization and Characteristics.
9. PRESSURE GROUPS AND PUBLIC OPINION
(i) Pressure Groups – definition, types, characteristics, mode of operation and functions.
(ii) Public Opinion – definition, formation, measurement, and functions.
10. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
(i) Definition of Public Administration.
(ii) Civil Service – Meaning, Structure, Characteristics, and Functions.
(iii) The Public/Civil Service Commission – Composition and Functions.
(iv) Public Corporations – definition, purposes, functions, organization, control, and problems.
(v) Local Governments – Meaning, Types, Purposes, Functions, Sources of Revenue, Control,
Problems and Reforms.
SECTION B: POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN WEST AFRICA
AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
1. PRE-COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF CANDIDATES’
RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES.
The Structural Organization of the following:
(a) Nigeria – Hausa/Fulani, the Yoruba, and the Igbo.
(b) Ghana – The Akan, the Ewe and the Mole Dagbani.
(c) Sierra Leone – The Mende and Temne.
(d) The Gambia – The Wolof and Mandingo.
(e) Liberia – The Vai and the Kru.
2. COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
(i) Reasons for Colonialism.
(ii) The policy and structure of the British Colonial Administration – Crown Colony, Protectorate and Indirect Rule.
(iii) The policy of French Colonial Administration – Assimilation and Association.
(iv) Chieftaincy during the colonial period – status and functions.
3. NATIONALISM IN WEST AFRICA
(i) Nationalism before the Second World War (Proto-nationalism) – Meaning, features and factors.
(ii) Nationalism after the Second World War – factors, growth, and effects.
4. CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS OF CANDIDATES’
RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
(i) Pre-independence Constitutions – (Background, main features, merits, and demerits)
(a) Nigeria – Clifford 1922,
Richards 1946,
Macpherson 1951,
Lyttleton 1954.
(b) Ghana – Clifford 1916,
Guggisberg 1925,
Burns 1946,
Arden Clarke 1951,
Nkrumah 1954.
(c) Sierra Leone – Slater 1924,
Stevenson 1947,
Beresford Stooke 1951,
The 1956 and 1958 Constitutions.
(d) The Gambia – 1947, 1951, 1954, 1960, 1962 and 1963
Constitutions.
Post-independence Constitutions – (Background, main features, merits, and demerits)
(a) Nigeria – Independence Constitution 1960,
Republican Constitution 1963,
The 1979 and 1989 Constitutions.
(b) Ghana – Independence Constitution 1957,
Republican Constitution 1960,
2nd Republican Constitution 1969,
The 1979 and 1992 Constitutions.
(c) Sierra Leone – Independence Constitution 1961,
Republican Constitution 1971,
The 1978 and 1991 Constitutions.
(d) The Gambia – Independence Constitution 1965,
Republican Constitution 1970.
(e) Liberia – Independence/Republican Constitution 1985.
5. DEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE
CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
Nigeria;
Ghana;
Sierra Leone;
The Gambia;
Liberia.
Formation, objectives, achievements, and failures.
6. MILITARY RULE IN THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES
Nigeria;
Ghana;
Sierra Leone;
The Gambia;
Liberia.
7. FEDERAL/UNITARY SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT IN
WEST AFRICA
Factors, Structures, Features, and Problems.
8. FOREIGN POLICIES OF THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE
COUNTRIES
Nigeria;
Ghana;
Sierra Leone;
The Gambia;
Liberia.
Definitions, Factors, Advantages and Disadvantages.
9. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The United Nations Organization (UNO);
The Organization of African Unity (OAU);
The Commonwealth;
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Origin aims/objectives, organizational structure, functions, achievements, and problems.
W.A.S.S.C.E GOVERNMENT SUGGESTED READING LIST
AUTHOR
TITLE
1. A. CAPPADOCIA
2. J. H. PRICE
3. C. A. LEEDS
4. C. F. STRONG
5. W. E. F. WARD
6. G. Y. AMOAH
7. ROBER S. JORDAN
8. DARE & OYEWOLE
9. OYEDIRAN & OTHERS
10. FRANCIS ADIGWE
11. DENNIS AUSTIN
12. T. HODGKIN
13. E. A. KEAY & H. THOMAS
The Substance of Politics
Political Institutions in West Africa
Political Studies
Modern Political Institutions
Government in West Africa
Groundwork of Government for West Africa
Government and Power in West Africa
A Textbook of Government for Senior
Secondary Schools
Government for Senior Secondary Schools
(Books 1 – 3)
Essentials of Government for West Africa
Politics in Ghana 1946 – 1960
African Political Parties
West African Government