Omar Bennett
Constituted authority is a leadership recognized and established by the people in a community. It is a system that allows a sovereign state to govern its affairs peacefully, without which anarchy would exist. Citizens have a duty to respect and obey the laws and regulations of the land, as well as to pay taxes and rates. They also have a responsibility to vote during elections, choosing their leaders who will then be mandated to administer leadership and resources to everyone. In return, the constituted authority has a responsibility to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, provide social amenities, and promote economic development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Obedience to law | |
| Paying tax and rates | |
| Voting during elections | |
| Respecting leaders | |
| Not stealing or destroying government and personal property | |
| Protecting political rights | Right to vote, freedom of speech, freedom of movement, right to private life, freedom of thought, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion |
| Providing employment opportunities | |
| Protecting material resources | Crude oil, gold, tin, iron ore |
| Raising and spending public money | |
| Promoting economic development | |
| Maintaining law and order | |
| Providing social amenities | Education, hospitals, electricity, pipe-borne water, telephone services, post offices, roads, markets |
| Protecting citizens from internal and external dangers | |
| Preserving culture and traditions |
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Obey the law
Obedience to the law is a fundamental duty of citizens to their constituted authority. This authority, established by the people, enforces laws and maintains order, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. Anarchy would reign without this framework, leading to a disregard for human rights, property rights, and personal freedoms.
Compliance with the law is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates respect for the authority that the community has chosen or recognised. This respect is a cornerstone of a functioning society, where citizens accord leaders the legitimacy to govern. Obedience to the law also ensures peace and order within the community. The laws are designed to control societal operations and maintain standards of behaviour that protect citizens and their property.
By obeying the law, citizens contribute to the smooth running of their community and country. For example, paying taxes, as mandated by law, provides the government with funds to build hospitals, construct roads, and provide other essential services. Law-abiding citizens also benefit from the protection of their political rights, such as the right to vote and freedom of speech, which are guaranteed by the constituted authority.
In addition, obedience to the law fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility. When citizens follow the rules, they demonstrate their commitment to the collective good. This includes respecting the rights and freedoms of others, as well as preserving cultural traditions and values that are often enshrined in law.
Finally, upholding the law holds those in power accountable. Citizens who are obedient to the law can more effectively demand that their leaders govern justly and responsibly. When laws are broken or ignored, it weakens the social contract between leaders and citizens, potentially leading to a breakdown of trust and instability.
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Respect leaders
Respect for leaders is a key tenet of constituted authority. Constituted authority is a leadership recognised and established by the people in a community. It is a framework of laws and discipline that citizens and residents follow to ensure a country runs smoothly. Without it, a state would descend into anarchy, with a disregard for human rights, property rights, and other freedoms.
Respect for leaders is a fundamental part of this. Citizens should respect their leaders by obeying the laws and regulations of the land. This includes paying taxes and rates and voting in elections. Leaders are mandated to administer leadership and resources to everyone, regardless of who they voted for. Respect for leaders, therefore, includes respecting the outcome of democratic processes and the rule of law.
In a religious context, respect for leaders takes on a different form. Religious leaders such as Imams and Bishops are given high regard and respect by their communities. Their actions are carefully watched and influence the behaviour of community members. Even in traditional shrines, there are lower and high priests who perform certain functions bestowed on them by their followers.
In traditional authority, which is commonly practised in most African societies, leaders are often in positions of authority by inheritance. For example, in Nigeria, there are traditional titles like Obas, Emirs, Chiefs, and Obis. These leaders perform certain duties for the good of their subjects, such as preserving the culture and traditions of the people. Respect for these leaders includes complying with local customs and traditions.
Overall, respect for leaders is essential for maintaining law and order and achieving the common goals of the community. Leaders are entrusted with power by the people, and citizens have a duty to respect that power and the decisions made by those in authority.
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Protect resources
Protecting resources is a key duty of constituted authority, and citizens have an important role to play in supporting this.
Constituted authority refers to a body given certain legal powers by the government. This body exercises authority and control over people within the granted powers. In a democratic context, citizens choose their leaders through elections. These leaders are then responsible for administering leadership and resources to everyone, regardless of who they voted for.
The protection of material resources, such as natural resources like crude oil, gold, and iron ore, is a critical responsibility of constituted authority. These resources are a source of income for the government and belong to the country as a whole. It is the duty of the government to ensure that these resources are not exploited by individuals or groups for personal gain without the knowledge of the government.
Citizens have a duty to respect and support the protection of these resources. This includes obeying laws and regulations related to resource extraction and use, as well as reporting any suspected illegal activities. Citizens can also play an active role in the sustainable management of resources by advocating for environmentally friendly practices and supporting initiatives that promote the responsible use of natural resources.
Additionally, citizens can contribute to the protection of resources by being vigilant and reporting any instances of corruption or misuse of power by those in authority. In a democratic system, citizens have the power to hold their leaders accountable and ensure that resources are managed transparently and for the benefit of all.
Through the protection of resources, citizens, and constituted authority work together to ensure the country's economic development and the well-being of its people.
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Vote in elections
Voting in elections is a fundamental duty of citizens to constituted authority. It is a way for citizens to have a say in who represents them and makes decisions on their behalf. By voting, individuals can hold their leaders accountable and ensure that their values and interests are considered in the decision-making process.
In a democratic society, the act of voting is a powerful tool for citizens to shape the direction of their community, state, or country. It is a means of choosing leaders who will uphold the principles and values that the citizens hold dear. Voting allows citizens to have a direct impact on the policies and laws that will govern their lives, as well as influence the distribution of resources and the overall direction of the nation.
Participating in elections is not just a right but also a responsibility for citizens. When individuals abstain from voting, they risk being underrepresented and having their interests overlooked. Voting allows citizens to choose leaders who will work towards their goals and aspirations, as well as hold them accountable if they deviate from their promises or fail to deliver on their duties.
In some countries, voting may be mandatory, with legal consequences for those who do not participate. However, even in countries where voting is not compulsory, citizens have a civic duty to engage in the electoral process. This includes informing themselves about the candidates and the issues at stake, as well as encouraging others to participate in a respectful and peaceful manner.
By voting, citizens can contribute to the legitimacy of the elected officials. When a significant portion of the population participates in elections, it provides a mandate for the winners to govern and makes it more difficult for leaders to abuse their power. Ultimately, voting is a way for citizens to exercise their power and ensure that their voices are heard by those in positions of authority.
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Pay taxes
Paying taxes is one of the fundamental duties of citizens to constituted authority. Constituted authority refers to a body given certain legal powers by the government, with specific goals and objectives, and is mandated to exercise authority and control over people within the granted powers. In democratic nations, the people elect the president, governors, senators, and state house assembly members, and these leaders administer leadership and resources to everyone, regardless of who they voted for.
The payment of taxes is a way to ensure the smooth running of the state or nation. Taxes are used to fund government services and resources, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, which benefit the citizens. In the US, for example, the Taxing Clause in Article I of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imports, and Excises". This power is subject to an exception and two qualifications: articles exported from any state may not be taxed, and all duties, imposts, and excises must be uniform throughout the country.
The collection of taxes is also used to pay off federal debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the nation. In the early 20th century, progressive groups advocated for a federal income tax, arguing that it would be fairer for the wealthy to contribute more. This led to the Sixteenth Amendment, which was formally accepted into the Constitution in 1913, shifting how the federal government received funding.
In addition to funding government services and paying off debts, taxes can also be used as a regulatory tool. For example, in NFIB v. Sebelius in 2012, the Court upheld the constitutionality of a provision in the Affordable Care Act, which required individuals to either purchase minimum health insurance or pay a penalty. While this was labelled a penalty, the Court ruled that it was, in fact, a tax and a constitutionally permissible use of Congress's authority.
However, it is important to note that there are limitations to Congress's power to impose taxes. In some cases, the structure of a taxation scheme may suggest that Congress intends to regulate under a separate constitutional authority. The Court has invalidated some federal taxes on the basis that they infringe on regulatory powers reserved for the states under the Tenth Amendment. For instance, in United States v. Constantine in 1935, the Court struck down a federal excise tax on liquor dealers, as the purpose of the tax was to punish rather than raise revenue, which was beyond Congress's authority.
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Frequently asked questions
Constituted authority is a leadership recognized and established by the people in a community. It is a body given specific powers by the government to exercise authority and control over people within the granted powers.
Citizens have a duty to obey the law, pay taxes, and vote in elections. They should also respect the authority and its decisions, as well as respect people in positions of leadership.
Without constituted authority, there would be a state of anarchy, with a disregard for human rights, property rights, and other freedoms. It is important for citizens to respect and follow the rules and regulations set by the constituted authority to maintain peace and order in society.
The constituted authority has a responsibility to maintain law and order, provide social amenities (such as education, hospitals, and roads), protect political rights (such as the right to vote), provide employment opportunities, and promote economic development. They also have a duty to protect the cultural traditions of the people and ensure the achievements of common goals for the good of all.
