SOCIAL STUDIES

• Social Studies
• Secondary Education

SOCIAL STUDIES

OUR CONSTITUTION, DEMOCRACY AND NATION BUILDING

INTRODUCTION

Every nation practice a system of government to ensure the progress and development of the citizens. Ghana since 1992 started practicing democratic system which has over years keep improving.

Nevertheless, more has to be done to achieve democratic living among the citizens.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS TOPIC?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to;

• Explain the concept of constitution
  

 

• Explain the features of a national constitution.

• Examine the role of constitution in nation building.
  

What is this image about ?

What is this image about?

DELIBERATIONS

a) What axactly is a consttution ?

b) Give examples of a constitution.

CONSTITUTION

The basic principles, rules and regulations which are used to manage the affairs of a nation is termed constition.

DEFINITION

Constitution is the collection or set of laws and principles which are used in the administration of a nation. It contains the Dos and Donts, the responsibilities and the rights of the citizens, procedures to follow performing state functions, etc.

EXAMPLES OF CONSTITUTIONS

• Organizational Constitutions or laws
  
• School or College constitution or laws
  
• Town Constitution or laws
  
• State or national constitution or laws
  
• International Constitution or laws
  

CHARACTERISTICS OF A CONSTITUTION

There are certain qualities or features that make constitutions of a nation unique and most of them are as follows;

i. Constitutions are supreme and universal laws

ii. Constitutions contain the aspirations of a country

iii. Constitutions may be written or unwritten

iv. Constitutions contain the rights and responsibilities of the citizens

v. The constitution of a country specifies the organs of government, their functions and limitations

vi. They also contains the systems of government practised by a country.

vii. Every constitution has a preamble

viii. A country's constitution also has a the procedures for electing leaders.

TYPES OF CONSTITUTIONS

Constitutions are classified and into several groups which includes;

• Documentary / Nature: Written and Unwritten
  

• Amendment procedure: Flexible and Rigid
  

• Power concerntration: Unitary and Federal
  

• Source of Authority: Republican and Monarchical
  

Are constitutions important?

THE ROLE OF CONSTITUTION IN NATION BUILDING

• The constitution ensure good governance by providing the producedures for decision making in the country.

• The constitution of a country protects the rights of the citizens by punishing people who abuse the rights of others.

• The constitution ensures smooth transfer of power by providing the procedures for electing a leader.
• The constitution specification of the functions and limitations of the three organs of government prevent the abuse of power.
  

• The constitutions ensures that the citizens perform their responsibilities like payment of tax leading to development.
• The constitution also ensures that government provides social amenities for the citizens.
  

SOURCES OF CONSTITUTION

For a country to draw a new constitution, several sources are consulted. Which means that, existing laws in many areas  and ideas are brought together to form a new constitution.

SOURCES

• Historical Documents: Pre-existing legal documents, charters, and declarations are consulted in drafting a constitution of a country.
  
• Statutory Laws: Legislation passed by previous governments.
  

• Judicial Decisions: Court rulings and judicial interpretations that have helped to shape constitutional law and principles.
• Conventions and Customs: Long-standing practices and unwritten rules that have been accepted as binding within a particular political system.
  

• Philosophical Works and Political Theories: Ideas and writings from political philosophers and theorists, such as Baron Montesquieu's principle of separation of powers.

What are your expectations in our next class?

EXERCISE

1. What is a constitution?

2. Give any four (4) features of your country's constitution

3. What are the importance of a constitution?

4. State and explain four sources of a constitution.

PREPARED BY:

B.A.K AKORLOR

What is the meaning of constitution?

1. Fundamental laws governing a nation
2. Collection of historical documents
3. Set of rules for a local club
4. Supreme law of the land

Which of the following is an example of a constitution?

1. Constitution of India
2. United States Constitution
3. Instruction manual for a computer
4. Recipe for chocolate cake

What does a constitution provide for a country?

1. Protection of individual rights
2. Guide for starting a business
3. List of popular tourist destinations
4. Framework for government

Why is a constitution important for a nation?

1. Establishes the rule of law
2. Defines the powers of government
3. Promotes a specific religion
4. Encourages sports and leisure activities

Which document outlines the constitution of a country?

1. Personal diary of a political leader
2. Online shopping receipt
3. Written charter or code
4. Legal document ratified by the people

What are the characteristics of a constitution?

1. Codification
2. Entrenchment
3. Supremacy
4. Flexibility

Which type of constitution is rigid and difficult to amend?

1. Entrenched Constitution
2. Flexible Constitution
3. Codified Constitution
4. Unwritten Constitution

What type of constitution is not written in a single document?

1. Entrenched Constitution
2. Unwritten Constitution
3. Flexible Constitution
4. Amendment Constitution

Which is not a type of constitution?

1. Entrenched Constitution
2. Temporary Constitution
3. Flexible Constitution
4. Unwritten Constitution

What type of constitution is written in a single document?

1. Advisory Constitution
2. Codified Constitution
3. Flexible Constitution
4. Unentrenched Constitution

What are the sources of constitutions?

1. Custom
2. Constitutional conventions
3. Legislation
4. Historical documents

Why is a constitution important?

1. Establishes government structure
2. Sets limitations on governmental power
3. Provides stability and continuity
4. Protects individual rights