Popular organizations are those organized groups whose membership cuts across different areas of society with clearly defined objectives. An example is a political party. As an organized group, a political party is an association of people with a similar political ideology whose major objective is to contest elections and gain political power in order to obtain control of government.
The formation of a political party can take the following forms:
- Socio-Cultural Organization: Many political parties started as cultural organizations. The Action Group (AG) started as a cultural association known as Egbe Omon Oduduwa while the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) sprang up from a popular Northern cultural association called Jamiyya Mutanem Arewa.
- Religious Organizations: Political parties can be formed based on religious beliefs and doctrines. This is common in countries where a particular religion is predominant. Examples of such associations are Christian Democratic Union in Germany and Muslim League in Pakistan. Countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Israel are nations where political parties are formed based on religious beliefs.
- Government in Power: The government in power may decide to form or create political parties for the country. Former president, General Ibrahim Babangida formed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) that contested the 1993 elections.
- Labour Organizations: Political parties can transform into a political party that seeks to promote the interest of the organization. Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria and Workers’ Solidarity Party in Indonesia are examples.
- Constitution: The constitution defines the party system in any state. It also determines the requirements for the formation of any party. There are three major types of party system: One-party, Two-party and Multi-party system.
EVALUATION
- Define political party.
- Mention four ways political parties are formed.
ROLES OF POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS/POLITICAL PARTIES
- They help to promote democratic principles.
- They ensure accountability of government officials.
- They promote peaceful change of government.
- They bring about unity among different groups and interests.
- They serve as watchdogs on elected representatives.
- They provide political education to the public.
- They provide welfare and humanitarian services.
EVALUATION
- Mention four roles of popular organization.
- How can popular organization ensure accountability in government?
GENERAL EVALUATION
- What is democracy?
- Differentiate between classical and representative democracy
- Outline five disadvantages of democracy
- Describe three ways popular organizations are formed.
- What four roles can popular organizations play to promote democracy?
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
SECTION A
Instruction: From the options lettered A-D, choose the letter that is most appropriate for the following questions. Answer all the questions.
- Popular organization whose major aim is to control government is called? A. Civil society B. Public corporation C. Political party D. Pressure group
- The Northern People’s Congress was an offshoot of? A. Egbe Omon Oduduwa B. Arewa Consultative Forum C. Jamiyya Mutanem Arewa D. Odua People’s Congress
- The formation of NRC and SDP is traceable to A. Olusegun Obasanjo B. Murtala Muhammed
- Ibrahim Babangida D. Sani Abacha
- A state that recognizes three political parties is said to operate ….. system A. three-party
- zero-party C. multi-party D. one-party
- The Workers Solidarity Party was a political party in A. Nigeria B. Ghana C. Indonesia D. Germany
SECTION B
- Briefly explain the following: i. Zero-party system ii. One-party system iii. Multi-party system
2. Explain three roles of popular organizations in the development of the society
See also
POPULAR PARTICIPATION
POLITICAL APATHY
POVERTY AND ITS EFFECTS
POLITICAL PARTY