Compiled SSC 104 Notes by Adeyemi
Compiled SSC 104 Notes by Adeyemi
SSC 104 just got a whole lot easier! Adeyemi's compiled notes are here, complete with probable questions
and answers. Say goodbye to stress and dive into this comprehensive study resourcefrom Adeyemi.
2. Context of politics
State
Nation
Government
Political system
Political Science emanates from the word " *politics* ", in other words, politics gave birth to
political science.
Politics originated from several Greek words in metamorphosis, originally it originated from the
first greek word ' *polis* ', which means a city. The word 'polis' then gave birth to another Greek
word called "polites" it refers to *citizens/people* this word leads to another Greek word "
*politikos* ", this is an adjective that pertains to the description of a city and it's people.
1. Politics as an art can be explained with the skill, expertise, professionalism, with which politics
can be practiced.
2. Politics as a field of study and as a discipline, people who specialize in the field of politics are
What a political scientist does is to study political conflict, political challenge, political problems,
1. The exercise of power: How power is being used, power is sweet. When you have Political
The most prominent definition of politics is given by Harold Lasswell. He defined politics as *who
gets what, how and when* .
*What* - objects of
*When* - Time
Asides the definition above, politics can be defined as a way by which conflict is solved.
happenings between and among nations of the world. It specializes in looking at why a
2. Foreign Policy: Why does the state do something and not the other one
3. *Concept of National Interest* : These are things that a particular state holds sacrosanct, that
4. *Comparative Politics* : This branch of political science looks into the process of comparing
one state with another, with the purpose of pointing out the differences and similarities
5. *Political Theories*: Several theories that seek to explain politics. We have a number of
political theory
A. System theory
B. Game theory
C. Elite theory
D. Group theory
E. Institutional theory
7. *Government and Politics* : This tries to explain what has happened in the past from time
immemorial and how can we gain from such experiences. This is to enable us rectify the past
and to make our future better
1. Enlightenment of
Assignment
4. Provision of employment opportunities: especially in places where there are Political Science
Department.
The lecturer did not give us any notes but Instead, he made provision for a material/pdf so we
can read more on the topics. I'll drop the file below this note.
SSC104: TOPIC 3
Power is the capability or ability of a state to influence other states in the international system.
In political science power can be seen as the ability of political leaders or actors to control, to
lead and direct political behavior of their citizens in a desired way or manner. It can also be
define as the ability to coerce the decision of people and make them to do what they wouldn’t
**Hard power:* takes the form of coercion, sanctions, use of force to control the behaviors of
people or decisions of state in way they wouldn’t have done ordinarily. Examples include;
Economic sanctions imposed by united states on Russian, during Ukraine and Russian war.
*Soft power.* is the ability of using culture and ideology, Norms and tradition, to control and
influence and to direct the attitudes or behavior of people or state towards a preferred or desired
direction. A good example is the exhibition of different cultures during World Cup, sporting
- Legitimacy
- Authority
- Sovereign
1. Authority: is the right to give command and ability to enforce obedience with the command.
It does not involve the use of force, it use ideas and obedience, it can be enforce by individual,
group or institution as well as government. A good example of authority is the ability of the
government to delegate duties and functions to their subordinates who must comply to such
decisions or command
2. Legitimacy: is the act of being lawful or is the process when the government of a country
with its power and influence is fully accepted and recognize by the people. In other words, the
government is legitimate when the people accept it. It can also be defined as the legal means or
regulation that is binding on the people from any other party, entity or state. It’s the ability of
state to be supreme, not reliance or dependence on any other states in taking decisions.
Exercising it’s power and authority and influence over its citizens.
*SSC104 CLASS*
International Relations (IR) is field that studies the interactions between countries, international
organizations, multinational corporations, and other global actors. It covers a wide range of
Here are some key concepts and areas of study within IR:
International Political Economy (IPE): This area focuses on how political and economic
factors interact in the global arena. It studies topics like trade, finance, development, and
globalization.
International Security: This area covers topics related to the security of states, such as war, peace, and
conflict resolution. It also examines issues like arms control, terrorism, and intelligence.
Foreign Policy Analysis: This area looks at how states make decisions in the international system,
examining factors such as leadership, bureaucracy, and public opinion.
International Law and Organizations: This area studies the role of international law and organizations like
the United Nations and the World Trade Organization in promoting cooperation and managing conflict
among states.
International Theory: This area explores different theoretical approaches to understanding international
relations, such as realism, liberalism, and constructivism.
Global Governance: This area focuses on how the international community can work together to address
global challenges like climate change, poverty, and human rights abuses.
International Ethics: This area examines the ethical dimensions of international relations, including issues
like humanitarian intervention, just war theory, and global justice.
International Relations is an interdisciplinary field that draws on a variety of academic disciplines, including
political science, economics, history, sociology, and anthropology. It’s a dynamic and constantly evolving
field that plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of global politics.
Understanding Global Politics: International Relations helps us understand the complex dynamics of
global politics, including the interactions between states, international
Managing Conflict and Promoting Cooperation: International Relations provides insights into how conflict
can be managed and cooperation promoted in the international system.
Informing Policy Decisions: IR provides policymakers with the knowledge and analytical tools they need
to make informed decisions about foreign policy, security, and other global issues.
Promoting Global Justice and Human Rights: International Relations also plays an important role in
promoting global justice and human rights by providing a framework for understanding and addressing
issues like poverty, inequality, and humanitarian crises.
Addressing Global Challenges: IR is critical for addressing global challenges like climate change,
pandemics, and economic inequality, which require cooperation and coordination among states and other
global actors.
Understanding Different Perspectives: By studying IR, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the different
perspectives and worldviews of people from other cultures and countries.
In short, International Relations is important because it helps us make sense of the complex and
rapidly changing world we live in, and provides us with the tools we need to address some of
Power in International Relations is a central concept that refers to the ability of a state or other
global actor to influence others to achieve its goals or interests. Here are some key aspects of
power in IR:
*Types of Power*
There are different types of power, including military power, economic power, political power,
cultural power, and soft power (the ability to influence others through persuasion and attraction).
Distribution of Power: The distribution of power in the international system is a key factor
shaping global politics. Realists argue that power is distributed unevenly among states, leading
Balance of Power: The balance of power refers to the distribution of power among states in a
way that prevents any one state from becoming too dominant. This can lead to the formation of
Power Transition Theory: This theory argues that conflicts are most likely to occur when a
Hegemony: Hegemony refers to the dominance of a single state or group of states in the
international system. Hegemons can use their power to shape the rules and norms of the
international system.
Understanding power dynamics is critical for making sense of global politics and for developing
effective strategies for achieving foreign policy goals. It's also important to recognize that power
is not static, but constantly shifting as states rise and fall, technologies evolve, and new actors
*SSC104 CLASS*
1. Right: simply means legally sanctioned claims of citizen which are usually enshrined or
incorporated into a state constitution. Right means inalienable benefits. Most state of the world
have their right incorporated in their constitution. Rights are fundamental freedom that every
citizen is expected to enjoy if only he claims them. It is otherwise called “civil liberty”. The
universal declaration of human rights which is a product of United Nations commission on
human rights put fundamental human rights for the benefits of mankind through it general
assembly resolution 217A(iii). The following are agreed upon as universal rights:
- Natural Rights: These are right that are acquired when human being is conceived from
pregnancy to adulthood and until when he dies. It also covers right of human from pregnancy,
infancy to adulthood. These right are inalienable and they include; Right to live, Freedom of
- Civic right: these right are developed from civilization up to mordernity they include right that
human being are now enjoying, especially due to the changes of live, they include; right to
marry, right to own a property, right to freedom of discrimination, right to peaceful assembly,
- Political Right: this simply means right that are involve in the political process of a country
especially right to vote and be voted for,and right to form political associations and choose our
leaders and right to participate in the determination of system of government and decision
- Development Right: these is subdivided into 4 (four) and the acronym is *ECOSOC*. : The
ECO means economic right this means right or claims for people to work and to claim their
wages or salary, right to also choose our trade or profession, right to participate in the
management in the economic activities a Country and the SOC means Social Right: this offers
right to free education at all levels, right to good medical facilities, right to old age upkeep, right
- Cultural Right: This covers the rig to practice one’s religion and culture.
1. A citizens as right to vote and vote for and seek appointment into public offices, a citizen has
2. A citizen is also free from compulsory labor, slavery or rendering of services without adequate
payement.
3. A citizen also have right to float a political party or join an existing one of his choice
4. They have the right to be requitted into the police or any other military institution of his state.
With all these right available to mankind’s they are not absolute. They have limitations:
- There are a number of associations that are not open; for instance, student cannot join ASUU.
- There are some personalities that enjoy immunity. Therefore, we may not be equal before the
law.
- Law of morality which expects to behave in a patterned way, and such law can be given as. (
- Sickness or mental situation of people can make government to restrict their movement
3. We should also be loyal and honest and be patriotic to our state under whatever
circumstances
5. Citizen should be ready to assist law enforcement agent when they are called upon to do so.
6. We should be ready to give honor and respect to our state symbols Eg: Currency, flag. The
anthem.
7. We should be ready to serve our country compulsorily for a period of one year at the end of
our first degree. In case of emergency our country may require our services.
*SSC104 CLASS*
Constitution is the fundamental principles or a sense of rules and regulations governing the
WRITTEN AND UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION -Written and unwritten constitutions are two
WRITTEN CONSTITUTION
A written constitution is a formal, single document that outlines the framework of a government,
its powers, and its limitations. It serves as the supreme law of the land and is legally binding.
Examples of countries with written constitutions include the United States, France, and
Germany.
UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION
An unwritten constitution is an informal collection of various sources that together form the basic
rules and principles of a government. It is not embodied in a single document but is instead
derived from conventions, customs, statutes, and common law. Key features of an unwritten
constitution include:
Examples of countries with unwritten constitutions include the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
The choice between a written or unwritten constitution depends on a country's historical and
political context, as well as its preferences for codification and clarity versus flexibility and
Rigid and flexible constitutions are two categories of constitutions, which differ in terms of how
A rigid constitution is one that is challenging to amend or change. It typically requires a complex
and multi-step process, often involving legislative supermajorities, multiple legislative votes, or
approval from subnational governments. Some key features of a rigid constitution include:
-- Designed to protect fundamental principles and rights from short-term political changes or
Examples of countries with rigid constitutions include the United States and Germany.
FLEXIBLE CONSTITUTION
A flexible constitution is one that can be amended or changed more easily, typically requiring a
simple majority or a similar, less stringent process. It allows for more frequent adjustments and
Examples of countries with flexible constitutions include the United Kingdom (which has an
The choice between a rigid and flexible constitution depends on a country's historical context,
political culture, and views on the proper balance between stability and adaptability in the
Unitary and federal constitutions are the fundamental laws that outline the structure and powers
of the government in unitary and federal systems, respectively. Here's a brief overview of each
type of constitution:
UNITARY CONSTITUTION
A unitary constitution establishes a central government with supreme authority over all aspects
of governance. It may provide for the creation of regional or local governments, but these
entities are subordinate to the central government and derive their powers from it. Key features
of a unitary constitution include:
Examples of countries with unitary constitutions include China, France, and Saudi Arabia.
FEDERAL CONSTITUTION
A federal constitution divides political power between a central government and various regional
the powers and responsibilities of each level of government, ensuring a balance of power and
Examples of countries with federal constitutions include the United States, Germany, and
Canada.
The main difference between unitary and federal constitutions lies in how they allocate political
power and authority between the central and regional governments. Each system has its
strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on a country's unique
CONSTITUTIONALISM
Constitutionalism is a political philosophy and system of governance that emphasizes the rule of
law, limitations on government power, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms. It is
based on the idea that governments should be restrained by a set of fundamental principles and
LIMITED GOVERNMENT
Constitutionalism advocates for a government with limited powers to prevent abuses and ensure
that individual rights are protected. Limitations on government power are achieved through
mechanisms like separation of powers, checks and balances, and constitutional guarantees for
individual rights.
RULE of LAW
Constitutionalism emphasizes the rule of law, meaning that the government and its officials are
subject to the law and must act in accordance with established legal procedures. It ensures that
CONSTITUTIONAL SUPREMACY
Under constitutionalism, the constitution is considered the supreme law of the land, and all other
laws and government actions must be consistent with it. Any laws that conflict with the
SEPARATION of POWERS
To prevent the concentration of power and ensure checks and balances, constitutionalism often
calls for the division of government into separate branches, such as the legislative, executive,
and judicial branches. Each branch has distinct responsibilities and powers, and they work
Constitutionalism emphasizes the importance of protecting individual rights and liberties, such as freedom
of speech, religion, and assembly. These rights are often enumerated in the constitution or a bill of rights,
which serves as a safeguard against government overreach.
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
Constitutionalism recognizes that the ultimate source of a government's authority is the consent
of the governed. The people are sovereign and have the right to participate in their government
CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW
court to review the constitutionality of laws and government actions. This ensures that the constitution
remains the supreme law and that its principles are upheld.
1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is the current supreme law of
Nigeria. This constitution outlines the structure of the Nigerian government, defines the
fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerian citizens, and provides for the division of power
--Supremacy of the constitution: The constitution is the highest law of the land and supersedes
--Federal Republic of Nigeria: Nigeria is defined as a federation of 36 states and the Federal
--Separation of powers: The constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial
rights and freedoms, such as the right to life, liberty, dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, and
religious freedom.
The 1999 Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption, and debates
continue to take place regarding potential reforms to address ongoing political, social, and
Introduced in 1922, it derived its name from the then-Governor of Nigeria, Sir Hugh Clifford, who
took over from Lord Lugard. The constitution aimed to reform the existing governance structure
in Nigeria by introducing a new legislative council and executive council, which replaced the old
The Clifford Constitution was adopted on November 21, 1922, and published in The London
Gazette on June 29, 1923. It marked an important milestone in Nigeria's journey towards
the Clifford Constitution of 1922. The Richards Constitution aimed to address the weaknesses
and shortcomings of the previous constitution and better fulfill the aspirations of Nigerians.
One of the key features of the Richards Constitution was the introduction of regionalism, which
divided Nigeria into three regions: Eastern, Western, and Northern. Additionally, the constitution
created a new legislative council for the entire country, which was composed of the governor,
self-governance and laid the groundwork for further constitutional developments in the years to
come.
The Macpherson Constitution was introduced in 1951 and was named after John Stuart
The Macpherson Constitution introduced regional autonomy and federal union, creating a
central government with a Council of Ministers. This encouraged political participation and party
activity at the national level. However, the regional governments were granted broad legislative
powers that could not be overridden by the newly established 185-seat federal House of
Nigeria.
The Macpherson Constitution was replaced by the Lyttleton Constitution in 1954, which further
cemented the federal principle and paved the way for Nigeria's independence from Great Britain
in 1960.
Nigeria's constitutional history. Here are some key features of the Lyttleton Constitution:
--Strengthening of Federalism: The Lyttleton Constitution further reinforced the federal principle,
granting more autonomy to the three regions that had been established under the Macpherson
--Legislative Changes: The constitution abolished the central legislature and created a
fully-fledged federal House of Representatives with 184 elected members.
--Cabinet System: The Lyttleton Constitution introduced a cabinet system, allowing the Prime
Minister to appoint ministers from all regions, subject to approval by the House of
Representatives.
--Self-Government: The constitution provided for self-government in the Western and Eastern
regions, which gained full internal self-government in 1957, while the Northern region achieved
Overall, the Lyttleton Constitution marked a crucial step in Nigeria's transition to full
independence and sovereignty, laying the groundwork for the subsequent negotiations that led
1995 Draft Constitution of Nigeria that was part of the constitutional conference held during the
military regime of General Sani Abacha. The 1995 Draft Constitution was an attempt to create a
new legal framework for Nigeria, addressing issues of federalism, governance, and human
rights.
--Federal Structure: The draft constitution-maintained Nigeria's federal structure, dividing the
country into states and local governments. It also provided for the creation of a Federal Capital
Territory.
--Executive Power: The draft constitution established a presidential system of government, with
executive powers vested in the President, who would serve as both the head of state and the
head of government.
--Legislature: The draft constitution provided for a bicameral legislature consisting of a Senate
--Judiciary: The judiciary was to be independent, with the Supreme Court as the highest court of
the land.
--Human Rights: The draft constitution included a comprehensive list of fundamental humans
--Citizenship: The draft constitution defined Nigerian citizenship and provided for the rights and
obligations of citizens.
Despite the efforts made in drafting the 1995 Constitution, it was never adopted due to the
political situation in Nigeria at the time. The country continued to be governed under military rule
until the return to civilian rule in 1999, when the current Constitution of the Federal Republic of
The last topic is Election and Electoral system in which the Lecturer gave us a document to read
instead. I'll make provision for the documents alongside with Topic 2's.
NAMES OF LECTURER
Dr AGUNYA
Dr Ikedima
Dr Aliyu
Prof Awofeso
Thank you.
Compiled by:
IFELAW,SUI GENERIS.
CA: 09031635828.
What is next???
Embarking on another semester journey, Adeyemi returns to guide us through SSC 104, just as
he did in SSC 101. Here's a sneak peek at the probable questions and answers. Wishing
LET'S Go!!
- A. Latin
- B. Greek
- C. Sanskrit
- D. Arabic
*Answer: B. Greek*
- A. Polis
- B. Politikos
- C. Polites
- D. Politics
*Answer: A. Polis*
*3. Who defined politics as "who gets what, how, and when"?*
- A. Aristotle
- B. Plato
- C. Harold Lasswell
- D. Machiavelli
*4. Which branch of Political Science focuses on the study of interactions between nations?*
- A. Comparative Politics
- B. International Relations
- C. Political Theories
- A. Game theory
- B. Elite theory
- C. System theory
- D. Group theory
*7. What is the difference between hard power and soft power?*
- B. Hard power relies on cultural influence, while soft power relies on military strength
- C. Hard power is used in domestic politics, while soft power is used in international relations
*Answer: A. Hard power involves coercion, while soft power involves persuasion*
- C. Independence of a state
framework?*
- A. Clifford Constitution
- B. Lyttleton Constitution
- B. Flexible
- C. Written
- D. Unwritten
*Answer: D. Unwritten*
- C. To centralize power
- D. To promote authoritarianism
- A. Clifford Constitution
- B. Richards Constitution
- C. Macpherson Constitution
- D. Lyttleton Constitution
*14. Which constitution was implemented during the colonial rule of Nigeria?*
- A. Macpherson Constitution
- B. Lyttleton Constitution
- D. Clifford Constitution
*15. What are the categories of constitutions based on their ability to be amended?*
- C. To create laws
- B. Dr. Aliyu
- C. Prof. Awofeso
- D. Dr. Ikedima
- A. Federal
- B. Unitary
- C. Flexible
- D. Rigid
*Answer: B. Unitary*
*21. Who is credited with the definition of politics as "who gets what, how, and when"?*
- A. Aristotle
- B. Plato
- C. Harold Lasswell
- D. Machiavelli
*22. Which branch of political science focuses on studying conflicts and their resolutions?*
- A. International Relations
- B. Comparative Politics
- C. Political Theories
- A. To establish a dictatorship
- C. To promote corruption
- A. Written
- B. Unwritten
- C. Federal
- D. Unitary
*Answer: A. Written*
These questions cover various aspects of political science as outlined in the notes. Let me know
if there is any error so as to avoid such in the future. Let's strive towards success in this course.