(a) List six characteristics of a society exhibiting law and order.
(b) Explain any three of the characteristics mentioned in (a) above.
Explanation
(a)Characteristics of a society exhibiting law and order
(i)Queting culture
(ii) Religious tolerance
(iii) Tolerance of oppositions
(iv) Peaceful conduct of elections
(v)Absence of wars and civil strife
(vi) Peaceful coexistence
(vii) Obedience to constituted authority
(viii) Peaceful protest
(ix) Constitutionalism
(x) Decorum/orderliness
(b) Explanation of characteristics:
(I) Quieting culture: This culture should be imbibed if orderliness is to prevail in public places such as banks, hospitals, airports and petrol stations. Citizens need to queue up and wait to be attended to or served .
(ii) Religious tolerance: For peace and order, faithful of different religious groups should learn to tolerate the views of others and not get provoked into violence.
(iii) Tolerance of oppositions: There should be tolerance of opposition/opposing views in the society where law and order are exhibited e.g. political office holders tolerate opposing views and social critics.
(iv) Peaceful conduct of elections: There is manifestation of orderliness when elections are conducted peacefully and votes are counted without fear of favour.
(v) Absence of wars and civil strife: Wars and civil strife are generally absent in society exhibiting law and order. The breakdown of law and order makes the society ungovernable.
(vi) Peaceful coexistence: There must be peaceful coexistence among individuals, clans, tribes, ethnic groups and religious institutions that make up the society in the manifestations of the existence of law and order.
(vii) Obedience to constituted authority: The people should obey the constituted authority in the country or nation where there is law and order.
(viii) Peaceful protest: Citizens have the right to protest against bad government programmes and policies. However, while protesting, they should be peaceful and still obey the rules and regulations. Government property should not be destroyed because they are provided through tax payers’ money.
(ix) Constitutionalism: Adherence to the tenets and principles of the constitution is a feature of a society exhibiting law and order. This prevents tyranny and lawlessness.
(x) Decorum/orderliness: This is polite behaviour which is appropriate in social situations. it should be exited always. This trait should show particularly in cabinet sessions.