WAEC Government 2023 past questions and answers

The underlying principle of the concept of separation of powers is mainly to

1. A.educate people on their rights
2. B.ensure constitutional review.
3. C.prevent arbitrariness.
4. D.tame the executive.

What is commonly referred to as the association of the government and the governed?

1. A.Monarchy.
2. B.State.
3. C.Confederation.
4. D.Federation.

The exercise of power can arise from any of the following sources except

1. A.legitimate power.
2. B.charismatic power.
3. C.expert power.
4. D.ideological power.

There are two types of committee systems in the House of parliament as part of their operations and one of such is

1. A.Expert Committee.
2. B.Parliamentary Service Board.
3. C.Committee of the Whole House.
4. D.Leadership Committee.

Maintenance of law and order in a state is the function of the

1. A.judicial service.
2. B.legislative arm of government.
3. C.citizens of the state.
4. D.executive arm of government

The local government system assists best in mentoring and grooming people for

1. A.citizenship and justice.
2. B.military operations.
3. C.leadership positions.
4. D.large scale farming.

The Fundamental Human Rights and Liberties must be entrenched in a constitution to

1. A.make it difficult to tamper with.
2. B.show concern for the people.
3. C.serve majority interest.
4. D.espouse love for the country.

An executive president is one who wields the powers of a

1. A.ceremonial president only.
2. B.leader of government business only.
3. C.despot and benevolent dictator.
4. D.head of state and government.

The official routine observed in carrying out functions in the civil service is commonly known as

1. A.official order.
2. B.standard order.
3. C.bureaucracy.
4. D.command

The Public Service Commission performs the following functions except

1. A.imposition of income tax.
2. B.discipline of personnel.
3. C.welfare of personnel.
4. D.advisory body.

The issues that are at the core of a country's foreign policy are referred to as

1. A.diplomacy.
2. B.national interest.
3. C.state arena.
4. D.globalization.

One of the major criticisms levelled against the United Nations (UN) is its inability to

1. A.ensure universal access to education.
2. B.adopt a universal language for its operation.
3. C.ensure fair permanent representation on the Security Council.
4. D.enforce affirmative action and equal wealth.

The functions of the Diplomatic Missions include the following except

1. A.gather intelligence information.
2. B.project the culture of the people.
3. C.woo investors.
4. D.pay salaries of workers of the mission.

One of the functions of the electoral management body is to

1. A.interpret the electoral laws fairly.
2. B.look for external sources besides the government to fund its operations.
3. C.engage in business to increase its financial capacity.
4. D.conduct training programmes for presidential candidates.

The rigid nature of a constitution makes it

1. A.easy for quick review.
2. B.complicated for amendment.
3. C.infallible and standard.
4. D.accessible to all.

Bicameral legislature contributes to the democratic process by

1. A.recommending the use of force in policy implementation.
2. B.imposing programmes and policies on the executive.
3. C.widening the scope of political participation.
4. D.suppressing minority rights.

The judiciary occupies an important place in every state because it is

1. A.protector of the rights of the people.
2. B.a body of upright and just people in society.
3. C.mandated to supervise the functions of the executive.
4. D.a unique profession of intellectuals.

The French Colonial policies in her West African colonies were different from the British in many ways except in

1. A.cultural imposition.
2. B.citizenship.
3. C.discriminatory laws.
4. D.imperialism

The pattern of rule by the French in her West African colonies was highly

1. A.centralized.
2. B.decentralized.
3. C.proportional.
4. D.consultative.

One of the negative effects of colonial rule on West African states was the

1. A.building of roads and rail network.
2. B.dependency syndrome.
3. C.western education.
4. D.social interventions.

Unitary system of government is adopted by some states because

1. A.it guarantees democracy.
2. B.it builds the capacity of citizens in good time.
3. C.of homogeneity.
4. D.of rich mineral resources.

Apart from globalization, what other factor to a large extent affects the sovereignty of a state?

1. A.Right of a franchise.
2. B.Inalienability.
3. C.System of government.
4. D.International laws.

The reason for which the government should take a key interest in the activities of pressure groups is that, they

1. A.force coalition among political parties for election.
2. B.blackmail political leaders.
3. C.provide valuable feedback on government policies and programmes.
4. D.dictate the path and direction for government programmes.

Elections plays a major role in the democratic process because, it

1. A.projects the class system.
2. B.confers legitimacy.
3. C.ensures only good people rule.
4. D.manipulates the electoral process.

Public opinion is formed through the following channels except

1. A.mass media.
2. B.elections.
3. C.cabinet.
4. D.political parties.

The media, commonly referred to as the fourth estate of the realm, monitors the activities of government on behalf of the

1. A.media organization.
2. B.executive.
3. C.civil society.
4. D.people.

One of the high points of the activities of the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA) led to the

1. A.introduction of the elective principles.
2. B.proposal for African unity.
3. C.creation of the African High Command.
4. D.Africanization of the Executive Council.

The biggest obstacle which also slowed down nationalist activities in French West African Colonies was the

1. A.assassination of chiefs.
2. B.deportation of Africans to France.
3. C.assimilation policy.
4. D.constitutional reforms and entrenchment of human rights.

The best way to keep the military at bay from interfering in politics is by ensuring

1. A.effective control of their day to day operation.
2. B.their inclusion in government.
3. C.high pay rise every year.
4. D.good governance.

Secret voting assists the voter in making a decision without

1. A.coercion.
2. B.national interest.
3. C.public good
4. D.pondering over issues.

Which system of government allows for and guarantees maximum competition?

1. A.Social democracy.
2. B.Capitalism.
3. C.Communalism.
4. D.Feudalism.

One of the factors that influences decentralization of power in a state is

1. A.weak central authority.
2. B.maximum loyalty.
3. C.widening political participation.
4. D.maximum allegiance to the state.

One of the low points in the cabinet system of government is that, the

1. A.Prime Minister does not regard the Head of State.
2. B.centre of power in the system is stable.
3. C.divided loyalty of the cabinet ministers is strong.
4. D.tenure of a government is always not stable.

What type of right enables citizens to participate in state affairs?

1. A.Habeas corpus.
2. B.Political right.
3. C.Judicial right.
4. D.Social right.

The reluctance of military regimes to hand-over power to civilian administration is because, they

1. A.feel a sense of entitlement.
2. B.perceive civilians and politicians as evil doers and backward.
3. C.have the backing of traditional rulers, their subjects and the clergy.
4. D.negotiable better loan terms for the country than the civilian government.

The following issues are some of the challenges the United Nations (UN) addresses except

1. A.human rights.
2. B.oligarchical regimes.
3. C.humanitarian aid.
4. D.climate change.

The African Union (AU) is saddled with one of these challenges and that is

1. A.weak labour force.
2. B.absence of rich natural resources.
3. C.tensions and political discord among member states.
4. D.inter-ethnic extinction and poor social cohesion.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is now confronted with a new security threat which is

1. A.smuggling of illegal goods across states.
2. B.weak national armies.
3. C.proportional representation.
4. D.extremism.

The Commonwealth of Nations is committed to one of the following principles.

1. A.human rights and democracy.
2. B.supervise political activities of member states.
3. C.draft constitution for member states.
4. D.finance budget of member states.

Which one among the following is a significant factor that influences the foreign policy of a country?

1. A.Educational system
2. B.Political system
3. C.Gender of the political leader
4. D.Recruitment policy.

The art of maintaining peaceful relationship between states, groups or individuals mostly come about as a result of the activities and functions of

1. A.the media.
2. B.the legislature.
3. C.security agencies.
4. D.diplomats.

One of the formidable challenges the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is confronted with is the

1. A.absence of a common platform for debate.
2. B.arms race among member states
3. C.over reliance on foreign aid.
4. D.absence of technology transfer.

The overriding consideration for the creation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) was to place Africa on the path to

1. A.military might.
2. B.non-alignment.
3. C.growth and development.
4. D.capitalist governance.

A democratic country is one in which the people have the right to

1. A.participate in decision making.
2. B.disregard laws they abhor.
3. C.violently overthrow a government.
4. D.punish government by not honouring tax obligation.

A state that has two levels of government is commonly referred to as

1. A.cooperative government.
2. B.federal state.
3. C.concurrent state.
4. D.coalition government.

The cornerstone of a functioning democracy is the

1. A.expenditure pattern of the executive.
2. B.appropriation bill.
3. C.foreign policy and military alliances.
4. D.free and fair elections.

Which of the following systems of government does not practice collective responsibility?

1. A.Cabinet system
2. B.Executive system
3. C.Non-Centralized system
4. D.Communalism system

A social, political and economic arrangement in which landed property and other natural resources are collectively owned is referred to as

1. A.Communalism.
2. B.Feudalism.
3. C.Federalism.
4. D.Liberalism.

A public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate is commonly called

1. A.policy paper.
2. B.guide to government.
3. C.manifesto.
4. D.steps to govern.

Identify five functions of government as an Agent of the State.

Explain five factors that hamper the effective operation of the justice delivery system in a democratic state.

Highlight five factors that have contributed to the weakened government institutions in many West African States.

In what five ways does political socialization assist in the democratic process of a state?

Outline five reasons for which it is important for a state to have efficient local government system.

Explain five reasons for which the study of nationalism and nationalist activities is important to the democratic development of a state.

(a) What is political leadership?
(b) Identify four qualities of a good political leader.

In what five ways is diplomacy important to the development of Nigeria?

Outline five positive political impacts colonial administrations had on West African States leading to statehood.

Identify five mistakes committed in democratic governance that give cause for the military to intervene in politics.