Functions of Government

To appreciate the duties or roles of government in a society or a Nation-State, we should first discuss the state of nature as explained by Thomas Hobbes as the hypothetical condition of humanity before the evolution of modern states with the aid of the Social Contract theory. He submits that “the state of nature is the condition before the rule of positive law comes into being, thus being a synonym of anarchy.” In his book, Leviathan (1651, Ch.13), Hobbes describes man as selfish, pursuing his own interest at the expense of others in a condition he hypothetically explains as “kill whom you can and take away what you can and from this spring all possibilities of internecine warfare.” He concludes, “the state of nature is the ill, unhappy and intolerable condition of life. The life of man is solitary, nasty, poor, brutish and short.”

It is against the background of the above scenario that there is the need for a central authority called “government” to be saddled with the primary responsibility of maintaining law and order in order to ensure peace and tranquility in the society. However, the extent and nature of duties undertaken by government in the modern societies are functions of the level of socio-economic development and the type of political system adopted by individual society. For instance, in democratic nations, the roles, powers and responsibilities of the government are set out in the constitution of such countries - e.g. Nigeria, United States of America, France, Canada, India, etc.


For instance, the Preamble to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), gives an insight to the nature and extent of duties and obligations of the country. It says:



WE THE PEOPLE of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: HAVING
firmly and solemnly resolved …. TO LIVE in unity and harmony as
one indivisible and indissoluble Sovereign Nation under God
dedicated to the promotion of inter-African solidarity, world peace,

international co-operation and understanding: …… AND TO
PROVIDE for a Constitution for the purpose of promoting the good
government and welfare of all persons in our country on the principles
of Freedom, Equity and Justice, and for the purpose of consolidating
the Unity of our people ………



In the same vein, the purpose and primary responsibilities of the government of the United States of America are enshrined in the Preamble to the Constitution of the country. It says:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect
Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the
Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United States of America.



The above phrases from the Preamble describe purposes or functions of government but generally, what could be regarded as the primary duties of a government in a society are:

• • Maintenance of law and order 
• • Protection of life and properties to guarantee individual’s rights and liberties 
• To defend the nation’s corporate existence from either external invasion or 
• internal insurrection by providing security through Land borders, Airspace and territorial waters Administration of justice and conflict resolution between the government and 
• the citizens on the one hand, and amongst the citizens on the other 

In Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), other responsibilities - Political Objectives, Economic Objectives, Social Objectives and Educational Objectives - of the Federal government of Nigeria are clearly set out and well articulated under “Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy”. Section 13 states:
It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of this Constitution.

• Section 14(2) (b) states that the security and welfare of the people shall be  the primary purpose of government while under the Political Objective, the provisions of Sec. 15(2) states thus: ………. Accordingly, national integration shall be actively 
• encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, 
• sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited ……. 

What could be regarded as the economic duties (Economic Objectives) of the Federal government of Nigeria are enshrined in Sec. 16(1-4), which states as follow: the State shall:

Harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy; Control the national economy in such manner as to secure the  maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity;

Without prejudice to its right to operate or participate in areas of the
economy, other than the major sectors of the economy, manage and

operate the major sectors of the economy;
Without prejudice to the right of any person to participate in areas of
the economy within the major sectors of the economy, protect the right
of every citizen to engage in any economic activities outside the major
sectors of the economy.

Self-Assessment Exercise (SAE) 3.2
Examine some primary duties of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.