
Meaning and Types of Government
Explain the meaning and types of government
The government is asystem or organizational machinery for organizing
people. In other words, government is a group of people within a
community who have power and authority to perform administrative
functions. These includeplanning, making decisions and even the
implementation of policies. Government can be created through elections,
by force or through hereditary means. The government manages relations
between people and their institutions or organizations
Types of governments
The criteria used to categorize governments isbased on how a given
government has acquired its position,themeans of formation of the
government and the power distribution among the three organs of the
state. The most appropriate way of categorizing governments is based on
how government leaders get into power. This refers toapeaceful election
process or violent processes used to acquire government power. Based
onthese criteria, there are only two major types of government; democratic governments and non- democratic governments
Democratic Government
A Democratic Government is aform of government whose political power is
determined by popular vote. This type of government takes into
consideration the consent of people in decision making, which means it
acquires legitimacy from the people through free and fair elections. A
good example of a democratic government is the presidential system of
government in USA. On the other hand, in a Parliamentary system of
government, which is sometimes known as Westminster modal system, there
is a separation of power between the head of government (who is
selectedfrom the elected members of parliament) and the head of state. A
good example of this government is the government of the United
Kingdom. In that type of government, the head of government is the prime
minister who is an elected member of parliament, while in the
presidential system the head of state and government is the elected
president. The president can form the cabinet by appointing ministers
outside the legislature. United republic of Tanzania uses both the
presidential and parliamentary system of government. In Tanzania, the
president is the head of state, head of government and commander in
chief who comes into power through the general election.
Non-Democratic government
A non-democratic government is the form of government which normally
does not come into power by popular election. It is the government which
gets into power without majority will and people’s legitimacy. In most
cases a non-democratic government results from military coup due to the
interest of some leaders. They tend to manipulate election process by
imposing dictatorship styles. In this kind of government, only one
person or a small group of people take control of the government. These
are people who normally have great influence due to economic or social
influence. A good example of a non-democratic government is the
dictatorship governments like that of Adolf Hitler of Germany and
Mussolini of Italy. Other examples are those of Democtratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) formerly Zaire under Mobutu Seseseko and Uganda under Idd
Amin Dada. The basic feature of all non-democratic government is the
absence of democratic principles.
Dominant Forms of Government in the World are:
1. Republican government
This is a form of government in which a country is governed by a
president and other politicians who are elected by the people. In this
form of government more power is concentrated to a single person; the
president. A good example of this government is that of the United
Republic of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Democtratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
and South Africa.
2. Union Government
This form of government is usually formed when two or more nations are
joined together. Each nation surrenders its power and sovereignty to
aunitary government. For example, the United Republic of Tanzania was
formed when Tanganyika united with Zanzibar. The United Kingdom is the
union of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
3.Monarchical government (a monarchy)
This is a system of government whereby a king or queen rules the
country. A king or queen comes into power by inheritance. Examples of
monarchies are found in Swaziland, Morocco, the United Kingdom and
Netherlands.
There are two types of monarchies.These are:
- Absolute monarchy. In this type of monarchy, a king or queen is the head of state and government. He or she forms the government and exercises power without being bound by rules. Swaziland is an example of a country which has an absolute monarchy.
- Constitutional monarchy. In this form of monarchy the king or queen is only the head of state. The prime minister is the head of government. The prime minister is elected by citizens in a general election. After being elected, he or she forms a government. Some of the countries with constitutional monarchies include Sweden, Japan, Jordan, The United Kingdom (UK) and Netherlands.
4. Federation
In this form of government, power is divided and shared between a
national government and state governments. Member states have control
over their own affairs but a central government controls national
affairs. Examples of federal governments are: the Russian Federation,
Nigeria and the USA.
5. Dictatorships
A dictatorship is a form of government whereby the leadership rests in
the hands of an individual or a group of persons who come into power
mainly through force. Dictators have unlimited authority over the
people.
6. Communist Government
It is a form of government in a communist country, in which the
government owns the major means of production including land. The
government provides people with free health care, education and social
welfare. A Communist government always results from socialist
revolutions. A good example of communist government is North Korea and
China.
7. Transitional Government
This is the form of government which is created temporarily by the
people within a country while waiting for general government or
permanent government. This happens when there is sudden change of
government or leadership due to political instability in the country.
However this form of government is not a formal system.
Importance of Government
Illustrate the importance of government
The followings are the importance of Government
- It provides citizens with social services like health care, education and safe water
- The government constructs and maintains infrastructure like roads, school buildings and hospitals.
- Maintenance of peace and order in the country is also the role of the government. The government provides security for citizens and their property through the police and the army
- Governments initiate and maintain relationships with other countries. The government leaders visit different countries and send ambassadors to those states. Other countries are also invited to do the same in Tanzania. Our country is a member of different international organizations including the United Nations, African Union and the Commonwealth.
- The government collects revenue for the development of the country. Citizens pay taxes to the government which, in turn, provides social services using the money collected.
- It guides the country by preparing and implementing good policies.
- Individual rights of citizens are protected by the government.
Tanganyika and Zanzibar united in 26th April, 1964. This led to the
formation of The United Republic of Tanzania. The article of the union
was ratified by the Act of 1964 of the parliament of Tanzania, called
the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Act of 1964.
The Reasons for and Importance of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Union
Explain the reasons for and importance of Tanganyika and Zanzibar union
The reasons of the Union Tanganyika and Zanzibar
- People of Tanganyika and Zanzibar experience similar culture and historical experience. They had similar culture aspects such as Kiswahili language, dancing and building styles. They were involved in similar economic activities, For example trade before and after colonialism. Both African states suffered and experienced similar problems of colonial domination.
- Security and defense to protect these two countries from being invaded by external enemies. The nature and location these two countries could create conducive environmental for enemies to destruct peace and security.
- To consolidate cooperation and integration of people who lives in these two countries.
- To avoid expansion of capitalism into Zanzibar. This is because capitalism was a threat to these two socialist countries, and the two were forced to join.
- The spirit of Africanism was another threat for the union. The proponents of the union were influenced by Pan- Africanism. One among of the important goals of Pan Africanism was unity for all Africans. In the name of fulfilling this goal, it led to the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Importance of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar
- To facilitate free movement of people from one part of the Union to another, especially after removing the carrying of passport. This increases the contact of the people between the two parts hence consolidating their brotherhood. To enhance cooperation in economic activities. People from any part of the union can conduct trading activities freely. The union expands the market for the goods produced in the region.
- To distribute the wealth due to existing natural resources: Each part has been benefiting from natural resources existing in any part of the nation. For example, hydro-electric power produced in the mainland benefit both sides of the nation.
- Identity of African countries’ unity possibility. The union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar is good example that can be considered uniting Africa. It shows success in fulfilling the dreams and desire of black people. The Union has succeeding in creating strong Army and other state instruments which have responsibility to maintaine peace, defense and security.
Union Matters in the Government of United Republic of Tanzania
Identity union matters in the government of the United Republic of Tanzania
After the formation of the Union, there were matters referred to as union matters. These matters are twenty two as shown below.
- The constitution and the government of the united republic of Tanzania
- Foreign affairs and international cooperation (external affairs)
- Defense and security
- Police force
- Power to declare a state of emergency
- Citizenship
- Immigration
- External trade and borrowing
- Public services for united republic
- Income tax, Customs and excise duties
- Harbours, air craft, posts and telegrams
- Financial matters, legal tenders and currency
- Industrial licenses
- Higher education
- Mineral resources, including petroleum and natural gas
- National examination council and all matters relating to the council
- Aviation and air transport
- Research
- Meteorological matters
- Statistics
- Court of appeal of the United Republic
- Registration of political parties and other matters relating to political parties.
Non-Union matters
These are matters looked after by specific government apart from the
union government. These include all matters which are not mentioned
above. Among of the non-union matters are:
- Local government matters
- Road maintenance and travel
- Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and other means of livelihood
- Trade and small scale industries
- Prison
Challenges of the Union
Although the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar has existed for long,
there are some challenges facing the union. For example, commodities
bought in Zanzibar are taxed in Tanzania main land. This is because
custom duties in Zanzibar are considered to be less compared to that of
mainland. Some politicians demand for the presence of three governments-
Tanganyika, Zanzibar and the Union government while others want to
remain with only one government of The United Republic of Tanzania.
Strategies for Improving the Union's Stability
Suggest strategies for improving the union's stability
In order to strengthen the union, different strategies should be
employed for the welfare of the entire nation in Tanzania. The following
are some of the strategies which would enhance the unity between
Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
- We should consolidate cooperation in cultural affairs such as sports and games by introducing the union cup. There should be encouragement in trade between the people of Tanzania main land and Zanzibar
- Free movement of people within the member countries must be ensured. This will make people to feel that they are together in the same country and consider themselves as relatives.
- The presence of a ministry in the president’s office to deal with the union should maintain fairness and justice. Leaders of the both sides of the union should frequently and seriously meet and discuss different issues regarding the central government.
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
C. Match the statements in Column A with those in Column B.
Column A | Column B |
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