CIVICS FORM ONE NOTES

INTRODUCTION TO CIVICS

What is civics?
Civics is the study of human rights and responsibilities of citizens, the governance and environment in which our society is found.
Therefore Civics can be discussed as a general study that speaks about everything surrounds human beings as well as leadership system that govern people. It speaks of internal and external affairs of the state including the history of human struggle as well as social, economic and political advancement and transformation in human history.
                 

       IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING CIVICS.

1.      To understand human rights e.g. rights to life associate with worship.

2.      To understand duties and responsibilities of citizens.

3.      To understand environment in which we live in.

4.      To promote peace and security in our society.

5.      To understand and up hold our culture

6.      To establish good relationship and respect.

7.      To understand road safety for example causes of road accident and measures to be taken in preventing road accident.  

OUR NATION  

When two people of the opposite sex get together as husband and wife, they form a family. A family is social group of people who are closely related to each other. A combination of various families forms a Clan. A group of different clans form tribes who have the same Culture, History and Language. The combination of various tribes makes up the population of a nation.

A Nation can be defined as alarge group or community of people living in a defined geographical area and sharing a common history, culture and language under one government. Examples of nations includeTanzania, Japan, Zimbabwe, India and Uganda. A nation should be recognized by other nations as a sovereign state andshould be free to decide and implement its own policies. It should not be part of another nation nor should it be under the control of another nation.

The Components of our Nation

To be able to analyse the components that make up our nation

For any nation to be recognized as a nation it must have the following components: Sovereignty, People, culture, boundaries and government

Sovereignty

The word “Sovereignty” comes from the Latin word “superanus”, which means “supreme”. Therefore, Sovereignty refers tothe supreme power exercised by a nation to control all individuals and associations within its territory.

Sovereignty can also be defined as the highest power which belongs to the people. National sovereignty means that a nation is free to decide and implement its decisions without being interfered with by any external forces from other nations. A nation should be able to run its political, economic and social matters independently.

Importance of National sovereignty

• National sovereignty is important because it maintains good relations with other nations through promoting good foreign policies on matters concerning other nations.
• It helps maintain peace and security of a nation through execution of national laws, rules and regulations to prevent civil wars and conflicts with other nations.
• It brings about national stability and encourages investors to invest in a country because a national is free to establish policies that will encourage local and foreign investors to invest in the country.
• Citizens are free from being dominated by other nations because of non-interference in the control of the nation by other countries.

Hindrances to national sovereignty

• Poverty. This is the inability to afford basic needs like food, shelter and clothing which is the main problem faced in many African countries whereby most are economically poor. This results in African countries depending on developed countries for help through grants and aid which create conditions that violate the sovereignty of some African countries.
• Civil wars. The fighting between ethnic groups within the same nation can affect the freedom of the nation because when the nation fails to maintain peace and security within the nation, United Nations will intervene to protect human rights.
• Natural hazards. Disasters such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic erruptions undermine the economies of poor countries which in turn hinders national sovereignty since the government cannot depend on its own capabilities and needs toask for assistance from other countries through aid.

Population

Population is the number of people living in a particular defined area. According to the 2010 population survey report, Tanzania has over 40 million people. More than 80% of Tanzania's population lives in rural areas. Tanzania mainland has over 125 ethnic groups. Kiswahili is the common language and the largest population group is Bantu who occupy approximately two-thirds of the country and are divided into many tribes. Within the population is where we can find leaders, citizens and the army which protects the country and builds up a strong nation.

Boundaries

National boundaries are the dividing lines between the area belonging to Tanzania and the area belonging to her neighboring countries. Tanzania was formed on the 26th April 1964. On that day, Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to form thecountry currently known asTanzania. Our country Tanzania covers a total area of 945,202 square kilometersand is bordered by man-made and natural boundaries. Natural boundaries of Tanzania includethe Indian Ocean to the East, Mount Kilimanjaro to the North, Ruvuma River to the South, Lake Nyasa to the south west, and Lake Victoria to the North and Lake Tanganyika to the West.

Tanzania is bordered by eight nations, namely Kenya and Uganda to the North, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo to the West, Mozambique to the South, Malawi and Zambia to the South West. The Indian Ocean borders Tanzanian’s Eastern side. The islands of Zanzibar and Pemba lie along the coast of Tanzania Mainland.

Map of Tanzania showing the national boundaries.

The Government

The government is an administrative organ of the state. It consists of elected and selected groups of people who are responsible for controlling and maintaining the laws and orders of acountry. The state has three organs which assist each other in fulfilling its functions. These organs are:

1. The Executive.The Executive is the main branch of the central government andcomprises of the president, the cabinet, civil servants and armed forces. The Executive is responsible for administering various activities of the government.
2. Judiciary. Thisorgan functions to interpret the laws and make rulings over disputes in the state.
3. Legislature is the law making body of the state. It is the state organ whose members are elected to represent different constituencies. Some of them are appointed. Legislature is also called parliament and is comprised of the President and the National Assembly. The President is part of the parliament but not a member of the parliament. This is because the president does not participate in parliamentary discussions but participates in the process of making laws by signing the bills to become laws.

Culture

Refers to the customs and beliefs of a particular group of people. It also includes the people`s way of life and social organization.

Exercise 1

Answer the following questions

1. In your own words, explain what you understand by the term Nation and give five examples of the nations you know apart from the examples given above.
2. Suggest five solutions to protect national sovereignty.
3. Draw the map of Tanzania and show its national boundaries.
4. Why is the President of the United Republic of Tanzania said to be part of the parliament but not the member of it in the national assembly?
5. List five national components.