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Here are some selected past examination questions and suggested (specimen) answers for them. Read them carefully and try to master the art and technique of answering exam questions. 1. Define legitimacy. Legitimacy may be defined as the acceptance of a governing regime (government) as an authority. In other words, the legal right to rule a country is called legitimacy. A legitimate system of government is one which is based on authority. It means that those subject to its rule recognize its right to make collective decisions and implement laws, policies and procedures. Legitimacy may also be defined as the extent to which the citizens obey, without questioning, the laws and accept the policies, the procedures, acts, decisions, officials and the leaders of the government and the system, structure and manner of administering the government. In other words, the widespread belief and feeling

This lesson introduces the concept of constitutionalism, while making a distinction between adopting a constitution and genuine constitutionalism. The relationship between constitutionalism, human rights and the rule of law is also discussed. What is constitutionalism? For genuine democracies, constitutions consist of overarching arrangements that determine the political, legal and social structures by which society is to be governed. Constitutional provisions are therefore considered to be paramount or fundamental law. All other laws within a country must abide by and follow the principles of the constitution. Under these circumstances, if constitutional law itself is inadequate, the nature of democracy and rule of law within a country is affected. This will affect citizens' human rights, which can only be realized and protected under a rule of law framework. The structure of modern nations has been shaped with government being divided into executive, legislative and judicial bodi

1. "Constitutionalist" redirects here. For parties called Constitutionalist see Constitution Party. Constitutionalism has a variety of meanings. Most generally, it is "a complex of ideas, attitudes, and patterns of behavior elaborating the principle that the authority of government derives from and is limited by a body of fundamental law" A political organization is constitutional to the extent that it "contain[s] institutionalized mechanisms of power control for the protection of the interests and liberties of the citizenry, including those that may be in the minority". As described by political scientist and constitutional scholar David Fellman: Constitutionalism is descriptive of a complicated concept, deeply imbedded in historical experience, which subjects the officials who exercise governmental powers to the limitations of a higher law. Constitutionalism proclaims the desirability of the rule of law as opposed to rule by the arbitrary judgment or mer

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE DEFINITION Political science may be defined as the systematic study of the state and government. This means that political scientists study the origin, structure and functions of the state and government; political institutions; political processes; various forms of government; the behaviour of individuals, groups, leaders and decision-makers; relations among nations; political theories; and the various activities of governments. Political science also deals with such fundamental values as equality, freedom, justice, power and sovereignty. Other definitions of political science 1. Political science is an academic and research discipline that deals with the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behaviour. (Catlin) 2. Political science is the study of shaping and sharing of power. (Lasswell) 3. Political science is that part of social science which treats of the foundations of the State and th