1. a) What is the difference between a state and a nation?
When the word state is mentioned, many people will relate it to a nation, or even consider the
two words as synonyms. Although many people think they are the same, the words nation and
state are entirely different from one another.
Territory: A state is comprised of four elements: government, territory, population, and
sovereignty. If one element is absent, it disqualifies the area from being called a state.
However, a nation can be defined as a population who shares a similar culture and ideals. A
nation is formed as a result of a common race, religion, language, territory, history, culture or
political aspirations. These elements are not essential and are ever-changing.
Political and Social Organization: "State" is a politic term and refers to an area that is
organized for the security of people. It is a legal entity with human actions. On the contrary, a
nation tends to focus less on the people’s physical needs and more on metaphorical or
emotional terms. Although a state can be multinational, a nation cannot be multinational. This
means that two or more nations can be within a single state. However, two nations cannot be
one which makes a nation very distinct from a state. Present day multinational states include:
USA, Russia, China, Britain, Quebec in Canada and Catalonia and Galicia in Spain.
A state has police power and individuals who disobey are punished. A state is a political
organization and it orders, coerces and punishes. On the other hand, a nation doesn't posses
strong powers. A nation is backed by spiritual, emotional and moral power and it appeals to
its citizens and persuades them. It is a unity rather than a political organization.
Conclusion: It is clearly evident that although a nation and a state sound the same, the two
terms are vastly different. The individual functionalities and attributes of a state and a nation
can be used to differentiate the two terms.1
1 b) Is Cameroon a state, semi-presidential system of government or a nation. Discuss.
Cameroon encompasses a state, a Nation and a semi presidential system. This is because
looking at the meanings of these concepts; one will see Cameroon through them. Each of
them is briefly explained below and justified why it is what it is in Cameroon.
1
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-difference-between-a-state-and-a-nation.html accessed at
8:22am 28/05/2020
1
According to German sociologist Max Weber, the state "is a human community that claims
the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory" . A state is
comprised of four elements: government, territory, population, and sovereignty. Cameroon
has all of these which qualify her state.
A nation is a stable community of people formed on the basis of a common language,
territory, history, ethnicity, or psychological make-up manifested in a common culture.
Cameroon is a Nation because she has all of these in her territory.
A semi-presidential system or dual executive system is a system of government in which
a president exists alongside a prime minister and a cabinet, with the latter being responsible to
the legislature of the state. A semi-presidential system requires that the head of state be
elected and that a separate prime minister that is dependent on parliamentary confidence lead
the executive. The Prime Minister of Cameroon is a relatively powerless position. While the
Prime Minister is officially appointed to be the head of government, the President retains
most of the executive power and can fire the Prime Minister at will thus making Cameroon
not a semi presidential system.2
2) Discuss the constitutional changes in Cameroon from 1961 to present (10 marks).
1961: This new constitution was adapted to reality of Cameroon.
-The federal authority was exercised by president of the Republic and the president of the
National Assembly.
-The President of the Republic was the head of the federal state and the head of government.
-He was assisted by a Vice Federal President who in case of vacancy of the post of the
President exercised the powers of the president until the election of a new President.
1969: -This modification précised the conditions of vacancy of the presidency of the Republic
in case of resignation and also institutes the modalities of the Prime Minister in case of vote
of no confidence or censure by the assembly.
-The president of the Federal republic could dissolve the National Assembly.
1972: -This new Constitution was adopted in line with the Unitary State and it maintained he
Presidential regime.
-In case of temporal impeachment of the President, any Minister could replace the President,
but in case of final impeachment, the President of the National Assembly exercise the powers
of the president until the election of a new president.
2
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation accessed 28/05/2020 02:23pm
2
-The interim president could neither modify the constitution nor composition of the
government.
1975: -The post of the prime minister was created.
1979: -The constitution made the prime minister the constitutional successor of the president
in case of vacancy.
-He exercised this power until the terms of office of the president expired.
-This article permitted president Biya to succeed Ahmadou Ahidjo in 1982.
1983: -Biya was the head of state since 1982
-The number of parliamentarians at the National Assembly moved from 120 to 150.
-The president was given the powers to anticipate presidential elections.
1984: -The name of the state changed from United Republic of Cameroon to the Republic of
Cameroon.
-The post of the Prime Minister was suppressed or cancelled.
-In case of impeachment, the president of the Republic had the possibility to choose any
minister to exercise his functions by delegation.
1988: -The head of state was given the possibility to abreger his mandate and organize
anticipated elections.
-The number of parliamentarians moved from 150 to 180
1991: -Cameroon experienced political upheavals, ghost towns, and the country was
paralyzed, people lost lives because the wind of democratic revandication was blowing over
Cameroon.
-The post of Prime Minister was reestablished.
-The president of the Republic could delegate some of his powers to other members of
government.
-This year Sadou Hayatou was nominated Prime Minister.
-The prime minister was not the constitutional successor of the president as was the case n the
1979 constitution.
-The prime minister was head of government and the president the head of state, contrary to
1979 when the president was head of state and head of government.
1996: Executive; - Human Rights was guaranteed in this Constitution.
-The president was given the powers to dissolve the parliament.
3
-The president’s mandate moved from 5 to 7 years renewal once.
Legislative; - The parliament was enlarged to 2 houses- National Assembly and Senate.
The ordinary sessions of the National Assembly moved from 2 to 3 sessions every year.
Judiciary; -The Supreme Court was re-enforced with the introduction of the audit chambers.
-The Constitutional Council was created.
2008: -The president was given an unlimited mandate
Up till date Cameroon had had two Presidents-Amadou Ahidjo(1960-1982) and Paul
Biya(1982 to present).3
3. The anthem of Cameroon is a rallying song that identifies with the country in
international matters. Explain the first verse of the national anthem.( 10mrks)
A reflection on the wordings of the Cameroon national anthem portrays it as a creed teeming
with profound patriotic messages. It is a guide to proper civic behavior. The first verse, O
CAMEROON, THOU CRADLE OF OUR FATHERS, affirms a Cameroonians national
identity by bringing out the umbilical link that each one has with the nation.
The brain drain experienced in the country and even some perilous exiles abroad by young
people would be something of the past if all Cameroonians understand that they are forever
bound to the CRADLE of their fathers whose WORTH NO TONGUE CAN TELL. By this,
they are obliged to work for the development of their dear fatherland which they remain
indebted to. Else, the anthem questions, HOW CAN THEY EVER PAY THEIR DUE? BUT,
the destructive altitude of some egoistic individuals who, instead of working for the
development of the country, engage in self-aggrandizement through corruption makes one to
wonder if at all they understand the first verse of the last stanza of the national anthem: THY
WELFARE WE WILL WIN IN TOIL AND LOVE AND PEACE, WILL BE TO THY
NAME EVER TRUE. The national anthem also urges Cameroonians to copy the example of
their forefathers who toiled to lay a solid foundation for the nation. THEIR TEARS AND
BLOOD AND SWEAT THEIR SOIL DID WATER, they were told. Many Cameroonians
today no longer cherish hard work. They seek short cuts to make their dreams come true.4
3
Emmanuel Y. Subseh(2012),“Rethinking Citizenship, politics and Governance in Cameroon”, Global Press,
pages 114-116
4
http://www.all-about-cameroon.com/the-cameroon-national-anthem-a-call-for-patriotism-an-integrity-
against-disloyalty-and-corruption.html accessed 14:23 28/05/2020