CIVICS NOTES FOR FORM TWO – ALL TOPICS

BENEFITS OF WORKING IN OUR SOCIETY – PART 2

5. Increase the wealth of the nation

The
wealth of the nation, affects the wealth of the individual and the wealth of
the individual also affects the nation. The nation provides an enabling
environment to create more opportunities for the individuals to get wealth.
When individuals work and get their monies, they pay levies and taxes for the
nation’s development. When people do not work, the nation will not get money.

6. Increases our status

Societies
mostly respect the wealthy and people with good jobs. The work of a person
shows the position of the person. In our community, wealthy people mostly chair
meetings and are consulted for every decision taken.

7. Work helps us build self-respect

Our
work is the source of our self-respect. When we work and contribute positively
to a purpose or a mission, that is ours, or that is something we believe in, we
feel good about ourselves.

Work
is the source of self-respect. If we don’t do productive and meaningful work,
we feel that we lack in confidence and do not feel really feel good about our
lives. One of the most important reason we do anything in life is to feel good,
and work is perhaps the most important source of feeling good.

8. Work provides a sense of belonging

Workplaces
often serve as microcosms of social communities, fostering connections that
extend beyond tasks and projects. Engaging in work creates opportunities for
individuals to interact, collaborate, and build relationships with colleagues,
superiors, clients, and stakeholders.

This
sense of belonging is crucial for human development as it fulfills the innate
need for social interaction and connection. These relationships can provide
emotional support, mentorship, and a broader network that enriches personal and
professional growth.

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Explain the meaning and types of government

The government is a system 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 include planning, 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 is based on how a given government has acquired its position, the means 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 to a peaceful election process or violent processes used to acquire government power. Based on these criteria, there are only two major types of government; democratic governments and non- democratic governments

Democratic Government

A Democratic Government is a form 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 selected from 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 Democratic 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, Democratic 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 a unitary 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

1. It provides citizens with social services like health care, education and safe water
2. The government constructs and maintains infrastructure like roads, school buildings and hospitals.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. It guides the country by preparing and implementing good policies.
7. Individual rights of citizens are protected by the government.

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The Constitution

The constitution is the system of laws and basic principles that a country or an organization is governed by. The national constitution is the basic law of a country. This means that all other laws must conform to the provisions of the constitution.

Meaning and the Structure of the National Constitution

Explain the meaning and the structure of the national constitution

The constitution provides the framework of the country and creates the principle organs of the state as well as their powers and limitations.

Types of constitution

There are two main types of constitution: namely written constitution and unwritten constitution. The written constitution is the one in which basic principles are written down in a form of legal document. Many countries have adopted this type of constitution. For example, Tanzania, Kenya and USA. It acts as standard of reference to which government activities reflects upon. Also it minimizes chance of misinterpretation. Unwritten constitution is the one in which basic principles are not written in a single document, but they rely on various documents and other points of reference. A good example is Britain, where its constitution is based on statutes, customary and precedents and convectional practices.

How the Constitution is Made, its Importance, its Relationship to the Government of Tanzania, and How it is Safeguarded

Explain how the constitution is made, its importance, its relationship to the government of Tanzania, how it is safeguarded

The constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977 is divided into ten chapters. Each chapter is divided into several parts.

The following is the structure of our constitution.

Chapter one

This chapter has the following three parts:

1. The United Republic and the people. This part talks about the:
2. Proclamation of the United Republic of Tanzania.
3. Territory of the United Republic of Tanzania, which consists of the whole area of Tanzania mainland, Zanzibar, and territorial waters.
4. Declaration of a multi-party state. Tanzania is a democratic and socialist state which follows multi-party democracy.
5. Exercising of state authority. All Tanzania state authorities exercise their power under the control of six organs, which are:

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Revolution Government of Zanzibar.

The Judiciary of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Judiciary of Zanzibar.

The Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The House of Representatives of Zanzibar.

1. The franchise: This is the formal permission given to Tanzanian citizens aged eighteen and above to vote in any public election held in Tanzania.
2. Fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy. This part describes:
3. The interpretation of the government: According to the Constitution, the government includes the government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, local government authorities and any person who exercises power or authority on behalf of the government.
4. The application of the provisions of this part of the Constitution: According to the constitution, this part is not enforceable by any court.
5. The government and the people: The government derives its power and authority from the people through the Constitution.
6. The pursuit of Ujamaa and self-reliance: Tanzania is a state that follows Ujamaa and self-reliance.
7. The right to work, to educational and other pursuits: The Constitution recognizes every person’s right to work, to education and social welfare in times of sickness, disability or old age.
8. Basic rights and duties of citizens. This part explains:
9. The equality of human beings: The Constitution recognizes that all persons are born free and equal and that every person is entitled to recognition and respect.
10. Equality before the law: All people are equal and should be treated equally before the law.
11. The right to life: All people have the right to live and be protected by the society.
12. The right to freedom of conscience: Every person has freedom to live as a free person.
13. The right to privacy and personal security: Every person has the right to privacy, respect and protection of himself, his family and his properties.
14. Duties to the society: Among other duties the citizens are supposed to participate in work, abide by laws, safeguard public property and defend the nation.
15. General provisions on: (i) Fundamental rights and duties: The Constitution guarantees fundamental human rights for all persons in Tanzania. (ii) Limitations of basic rights, freedoms and duties: The Constitution limits individual rights and freedoms for the interest of other persons or the public.
16. The extraordinary powers of the state authority about: (i) Derogation from rights and freedoms: The Constitution gives parliament the mandate to enact laws that will enable measures to be taken during a state of emergency or against persons who can endanger the security of the nation. (ii) Power to proclaim a state of emergency: The President has the power to proclaim a state of emergency when there is danger or war in the country.

Chapter two

This chapter has three parts which deal with the executive arm of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The President: This part describes how the President is elected, the qualifications for election as President, the provisions for being re-elected and duties and powers of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. It also describes the Government of Tanzania.

The Vice-President: This is the principal assistant to the President. This part describes the qualifications and duties of the Vice-President.

The Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the government

(a) The Prime Minister is appointed by the President but the National Assembly must approve him or her through a majority vote.

(b) Cabinet is made up of the Vice-President, the President of Zanzibar, the Prime Minister and all cabinet ministers. The ministers are appointed by the President after consulting the Prime Minister. There are also deputy ministers who are appointed by the President.

This part also points out the length of the ministers’ and deputy ministers’ terms of office. In addition, this part includes the Attorney-General, who is appointed by the President. The Attorney-General is the advisory of the government of Tanzania on legal matters. The secretary to the Cabinet and regional commissioners are also mentioned, and their duties explained.

Chapter three

This chapter describes the parliament. The parliament is made up of the President and the National Assembly. This chapter has three parts:

Establishment of the National Assembly, its authorities, powers and its lifetime.

Members, constituencies and election of members. This part explains who the members of the National Assembly are and how they are elected or appointed.

Procedures, powers and privileges of Parliament. This part also describes the functions of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and the procedures for electing them.

Chapter four

This chapter has the following three parts:

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and the President of Zanzibar: In this part the Constitution describes the head of the Zanzibar Government, his

Authority and how he is elected.

The Zanzibar Revolutionary Council: This part describes the members of the council, who are the President of Zanzibar as chairman, the Chief Minister, all ministers of the Zanzibar Government and other members appointed by the chairman.

The House of Representatives of Zanzibar: Zanzibar’s House of Representatives comprises two parts. These are:

1. The Head of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar who is also the President of Zanzibar.
2. Members of the House elected or appointed according to the Zanzibar Constitution. These members are called Representatives. –
3. To question any ministry concerning public affairs in Zanzibar.
4. To debate the performance of any ministry of Zanzibar.
5. To authorize any plan intended to be implemented in Zanzibar.

Chapter five

This chapter deals with the judiciary. The judiciary refers to the country’s courts and court officials. Chapter five has seven parts which are:

The High Court of the United Republic.

The appointment of judiciary personnel by the Judiciary Service Commission.

The High Court of Zanzibar.

The Court of Appeal of the United Republic.

Process of the courts.

The special Constitutional Court.

Chapter six

This chapter has two parts:

The Permanent Commission of Enquiry: The members of this commission are appointed by the President.

The Public Leaders’ Ethics Secretariat, whose main task is to investigate the conduct of public leaders,

Chapter seven

Chapter seven deals with the finances of the United Republic in the areas of contribution and allocation of revenue. It also discusses the consolidated fund and the conditions for withdrawal of the money, the expenditure and other matters concerning union funds.

Chapter eight

This chapter deals with the establishment and functions of local government authorities such as municipal councils and county councils.

Chapter nine

It contains provisions on the armed forces and also describes the powers of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The armed forces are made up of the army, the navy and the air force.

Chapter ten

This chapter has miscellaneous (various) provisions. The areas dealt with include:

Resignation of personnel from various offices.

Procedure of succession in government offices.

Interpretation of terms in the Constitution.

Title, commencement and application of the Constitution.

Union matters.

Activity 1

Which chapter in the constitution gives you different rights as a citizen? List then explain four rights described in that chapter

Making the constitution

The Tanzanian Constitution has not always been as it is contently. It has undergone several major changes since the first one was written in 1961. The following are the versions of the Constitution that Tanzania has had.

1. The Independence Constitution of 1961

Tanganyika got her independence from Britain in 1961. The British wrote a Constitution for Tanganyika which was used when Mwalimu J. K. Nyerere was the Prime Minister. This constitution is known as the Independence Constitution of 1961

2. The Republican Constitution of 1962

In 1962, the government of Tanganyika published a white paper proposing to make the country a republic. The National Assembly discussed the paper and adopted it. The National Assembly then passed an Act of Parliament to give it a legal right to be a Constituent Assembly. This Constituent Assembly discussed and adopted a new Constitution and Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere was elected the first president of the Republic of Tanganyika. This Constitution is known as the Republic Constitution of 1962.

3.The Interim Constitution of the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar of 1964

After the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar there was a need to change the Constitution. So the President of Tanzania issued an interim constitutional decree which modified the Constitution of the Republic of Tanganyika. The new Constitution was the Interim Constitution of the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar of 1964.

4.The Interim Constitution of Tanzania of 1965

In 1965, the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania enacted an Act of Parliament to make the Interim Constitution of Tanzania. This constitution declared Tanzania a single party state. Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) of Tanzania mainland and Afro-Shiraz Party (ASP) of Zanzibar were the only political parties recognized by the Constitution. This Constitution was the starting point in uniting TANU and ASP so that Tanzania could become a real-one party state. This Constitution is known as the Interim Constitution of Tanzania of 1965.

5.The Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977

In 1977, TANU and ASP united to form Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). This union created the need for a new Constitution. The then president of Tanzania Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere appointed a Constitutional Commission of twenty people to oversee the making of a new constitution. Each side of the union was represented by ten members.

President Nyerere appointed the representatives of the Constituent Assembly to consider the proposal of the Constitutional Commission to enact the constitution. The members of the Constituent Assembly were 45 from Zanzibar and 156 from Tanzania mainland. They discussed and agreed on the constitutional proposals made by the Constitutional Commission, then, the current constitution was adopted. This constitution is known as the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977.

Constitutional amendment

Constitutional amendment is the process of improving or changing the laws in the constitution for the aim of improving the laws in the constitution.

The 1977 Constitution has many amendments. These amendments were made to cater for the changing needs of the society. The major amendments are:

The introduction of a Bill of Rights in the Constitution in 1984.

An amendment to introduce the multi-party system in Tanzania in 1992.

In 1995, another amendment introduced the Vice-President as the President’s running mate in the elections. It also made the president of Zanzibar a member of the Union Cabinet.

The changes made are;

1. It changed the mode of electing the President. Previously, the President was elected by majority vote. This amendment allowed the President to be elected by the highest votes.
2. It increased the number of seats allocated to women in Parliament to thirty percent.
3. The independence of the judiciary and its powers on legal matters were established.
4. It established the Human Rights and Good Governance Commission.

Importance of a national Constitution

The Constitution is very important to the country for the following reasons.

The Constitution protects the rights of individuals.

It ensures that the government is fair and just to its citizens.

The Constitution establishes the main organs of the state. These are the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature.

It describes the form of government that is used in the country.

The Constitution gives guidance on how disputes between the organs of the state are to be resolved.

It defines the limits of the power of leaders.

It shows how leaders are to be chosen.

Relationship between the Constitution and the Government of Tanzania

Generally, the relationship between the Constitution and the government is that the Constitution guides the government on all matters of leadership.

The Constitution defines the form of government to be used in our country.

It is the Constitution that establishes the organs of the state and outlines their powers.

The government has to be based on principles of democracy, human rights, social justice and observance of sovereignty of the state as the Constitution prescribes.

The leaders of Tanzania at all levels are elected as per the Constitution. Those who are elected lead according to the Constitution’s guidelines.

The Constitution states the terms of the leaders in the offices.

The elected leaders take an oath to defend the Constitution.

Ways of protecting the constitution

Since the Constitution is the law of the land, it must be protected by every member of the society. There are different ways of protecting the Constitution of our country. The following are some of them.

1. The existing Constitution was made by a body which dissolved after finishing its task. This makes the Constitution supreme since there is no one above it.
2. All laws of the country are derived from the Constitution and no one can make laws which contradict the Constitution.
3. The courts of law protect the Constitution by ensuring that all people are allowed to enjoy their rights.
4. The government and non-governmental organizations educate the society so that they can understand and protect their constitutional rights.
5. Mass media educate people about their rights so that when these rights are abused, they can demand them at the courts of law.