Basic Concepts of Government

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1. Which of the following best distinguishes ‘authority’ from ‘power’ in the context of political governance?

   1. A Power is always legal, while authority is always illegal.
   2. B Authority relies solely on physical force, while power relies on moral persuasion.
   3. C There is no difference; both terms are used interchangeably in political science.
   4. D Authority implies a recognised right to command, while power is the capacity to enforce will regardless of consent.

2. The concept of sovereignty in the Nigerian state is primarily characterised by which of the following attributes?

   1. A The supreme authority of the state to make and enforce laws within its territory without external interference.
   2. B The ability of the President to dissolve the National Assembly at will.
   3. C The control of the military over the civilian administration.
   4. D The right of citizens to veto any legislation passed by the National Assembly.

3. When a Nigerian citizen obeys a traffic law not because of fear of police punishment, but because they believe the law is just and necessary for order, this illustrates the concept of:

   1. A Sovereignty
   2. B Coercion
   3. C Legitimacy
   4. D Bureaucracy

4. Which of the following best distinguishes a ‘society’ from a ‘state’ in political science?

   1. A A society is always larger in population than a state.
   2. B A state is a voluntary association of individuals, while a society is compulsory.
   3. C The state possesses a centralised political authority and sovereignty, whereas a society does not necessarily have these features.
   4. D A society has a written constitution, while a state operates without one.

5. In the context of Nigerian political theory, the ‘nation’ is primarily defined by which of the following elements?

   1. A A shared sense of identity, history, and belonging among a group of people.
   2. B The possession of a permanent army and police force.
   3. C The existence of a written constitution and a supreme court.
   4. D The control of a specific geographical territory by a central government.

6. Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between the state and the government?

   1. A The government is the temporary administrative body through which the permanent state exercises its authority.
   2. B The state and the government are identical concepts with no difference in meaning.
   3. C The government is the permanent entity, while the state changes with every election.
   4. D The state is a voluntary association, while the government is a compulsory institution.

8. The process by which individuals acquire political values, beliefs, and attitudes from their environment, such as family, school, and media, is best described as:

   1. A Political socialization
   2. B Political participation
   3. C Political culture
   4. D Political mobilization

9. In the context of Nigerian governance, the distinction between the ‘State’ and the ‘Government’ is that the State is:

   1. A The temporary body of officials elected to administer the country
   2. B A permanent entity that exists independently of the current administration
   3. C The physical territory and population only
   4. D The constitution and the laws of the land

10. Which of the following is a primary agent of political socialization that often influences a child’s initial political orientation before they enter formal schooling?

    1. A The National Assembly
    2. B The Electoral Commission
    3. C The family
    4. D The judiciary

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