SS1 Civic Education Lesson Note on Respect for Constituted Authority

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TOPIC: LAW AND ORDER

CONTENT:

1. Respect for Constituted Authority
2. Types of Constituted Authority
3. Importance of Constituted Authority.

SUB-TOPICS:    1.    MEANING OF CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY

Constituted authority can best be described as those who have control over us, those who control the affair of the society where we live, those who administer rules and regulations, those who enforce the law and order, those who determine our faith and our belief and those who teach and train us to become better and rational beings.

Constituted authority can also mean lawful and constitutional powers derived from a legally binding instrument. It is the legal power to govern a place, town, state, country, institution, etc. Anyone that exercises legal and constitutional power is said to be exercising constituted authority.

EVALUATION:

1. Define and explain the concepts, constituted authority.
2. Briefly explain how power to exercise constituted authority is derived.

SUB-TOPIC 2: TYPES OF CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY.

Positions of authority exercised by individuals or groups can be classified in different forms and types as follows:

• Forms of constituted authority
• Types of constituted authority

Forms of Constituted Authority

There are three forms of constituted authority, namely:

1. Line of Authority: Under this form of authority, there are chains of command from the superior to the subordinate, from the top to the bottom. Orders or instructions emanates from the head and goes down to the subordinates. For example, in a school setting, the principal is the head of the school. Instructions emanate from him to the teachers, to the Heads of departments, to the teachers, to the prefects and to the student body. The line of order and action flows in that order, thereby making individuals answerable to his or her direct superior. In this manner, there is easy control and administration. One knows at a glance to who he or she is answerable.
2. Staff Authority: Authority is given to individuals to supervise advice and contribute ideas, opinions and suggestions but cannot make or take decisions. Necessary recommendations are direct to the supervisors before final decision could be taken.

• Team Authority: Here Authority is vested on a committee to plan, organize and execute such plans with some measure of supervision.

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