Civic Education Paper 2 WASSCE (SC), 2019

Question 1

(a)Define the term justice.
(b)Explain what the scale, sword and blindfold stand for in the figure of lady justice.

Observation

 

This was a new approach to the way questions are asked because it has an illustration. The performance of most candidates who attempted it was average. Candidates did not do well in the (a) part of the question as they defined justice as a legal tem instead of seeing it more as a value.  The (b) part gave the candidates boost as they were able to explain the meaning of scale, sword and blindfold effortlessly. Below are answers expected of candidates.

a. Definition of justice

Justice has to do with moral rightness based on ethics, religion, rationality, law, fairness and equity. It illustrates applications of the notion of proper balance: a fair trial, which among other things depicts neutrality and fairness between the ability of the defendant and prosecution to establish innocence and guilt respectively


b. The scale, sword and blindfold in the figure of lady justice
The scale:
the scale stand for weighing the claims and evidence presented by parties in dispute; balance and fairness in the weighing of those claims and evidence in order to arrive at a final ruling or judgment to ensure justice.
The sword:     

the longish and double edged sword represents the enforcement measure of lady justice. It stands for her readiness to obligate faithfulness to her decision of reason and justice by both parties.
the size of the sword stands for readiness of lady justice to adjudicate on matters brought before the court without considering the colour, size, statue and other distinctiveness of parties in dispute. The double edged of the sword stand for readiness of lady justice to ensure justice without any predetermined consideration i.e, the sword could swing left or right.
The blindfold:
the blindfold represents objectivity, in that justice is or should be meted out objectively, without fear or favour, regardless of identity, money, power, or weakness; blind justice and impartiality i.e decisions of objectivity and/or impartial decision or decision not influenced by wealth, politics, popularity or infamy.