PUNJABI UNIVERSITY 1st SEMESTER (5 YEAR)

POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIT -2

Political Systems: Meaning, Functions, and Types of Political System

A society comprises of citizen, nature, economy, rights, responsibilities, and policies. For a
better governance of every policy regarding society, a group of members collectively in an
institution is elected by the voters and rules the state or country.

Political parties are an essential part of a country. It safeguards citizen rights and
responsibilities at the same time. It provides essential rights to the citizen of a country. For
example in India, there are many rights namely Right to speech, Right against exploitation,
right to freedom etc. In the same way, political parties also ensure some of the basic
responsibilities of the citizen.
Some of the responsibilities assigned to the citizen are important for the growth of the
country. And if they fail to obey the regulations, they are either charged fine or given some
serious punishment.

Even in those countries which do not have a democratic approach, like if they follow
monarchy pattern in the country, still they have some set pattern in which some intellectual
people sit together and hold an influential place in the decision-making process.

In the 1960 two political scientists namely Gabriel Almond and James Coleman presented
their thoughts by stating that Political System is the combination of individuals who run a
state or country’s government by legislature procedure for the welfare of the country.
In 1994, ‘Oxford Dictionary of Sociology’ came up with a well-defined definition and
function of Political System as the combination of three basic elements i.e. power, rule, and
authority. It mainly consists of associations which comprise some people who worked on a
set pattern of goal and achievements. Their basic function of these parties is to set a goal and
complete it in the due course of time.

Function of Political Parties:-

In 1960, Almond and Coleman provided the basic function of political parties

1. To always maintain a situation, in which society can always remain in harmony. The
reasons for dispute should be eliminated as soon as possible by them.
2. To safeguard every religion and culture in a country. It is necessary for people to
respect other communities for making society a better place.
3. There will always be some kind of danger from different countries. Its function is to
protect its party as well as the country from any kind of threat by external factors.
Further, these functions get divided into two types of functions in which can be put
conveniently. The first one is Input function which comprises four elements i.e. Political
Socialization, Interest Articulation, Interest Aggregation and Political communication
between the parties. The second one is Output function which accounted for rulemaking, rule
adjustments and rule application. It focused more on results rather than the procedure, unlike
Input Function.
Further, in 1966, Eisenstadt also researched for Political Parties function and made three
important classifications of political system function

1. Legislative– They are the decision-making organization.

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 PUNJABI UNIVERSITY 1st SEMESTER (5 YEAR)
POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIT -2

2. Decision Making– In a group of a legislative assembly, people who can put their ideas and
come up with a decision.

3. Administrative – They are the management of an organization.

The Five Most Common Political Systems Around the World

When we speak of political systems, it’s difficult to determine what the most common types
are. After all, many political systems are similar, or have similar roots. Many countries
actually have republics of some kind — variants of democracy. As you study political
science, it can be helpful to understand some of the most common types of political systems
from around the world.
Understanding different political systems is important. Each political system has its
advantages and disadvantages. It is worth considering the merits of other political systems,
and perhaps incorporating some of the ideas into your own system. Some of the five more
common political systems around the world include:

Here are some overviews of these five fairly recognizable political systems:

1. Democracy

We often hear the United States referred to as a democracy. Indeed, many refer to the U.S. as
a representative democracy. A democracy in a more traditional sense is a political system that
allows for each individual to participate. There are two rather popular types of democracy:
Direct Democracy: Many scholars point to Athens as an example of direct democracy.
Technically, every citizen has an equal say in the workings of government. (The
qualifications for being considered a citizen are completely different.) Citizens could show up
at a meeting, and then directly participate in the governing process, and the process of
making laws.
Representative Democracy: In a representative democracy set-up, citizens elect
representatives who actually make the law. The United States operates similarly to this
principle. Citizens elect legislators who, in turn, make laws. In the U.S., even the president
isn’t elected directly; representatives called electors make the decision (although designated
electors usually vote according to the wishes of the citizens in their states).
Other types of democracy include versions known as deliberative democracy, in which
citizens approach decision making by considering different viewpoints and options, as well
as democratic socialism, in which citizens help make decisions or vote for policies that are
socialistic in nature. There are other types of democracy as well. The defining characteristic
is some level of citizen participation in the political system

2. Republic

In theory, a republic is a political system in which the government remains mostly subject to
those governed. Some scholars define any political system in which the citizens legitimize the
government. As such, some (including Montesquieu) consider the U.S. a republic. Indeed,
there are those that believe that any form of government that is not based on heritage or
authoritarian governance. In some cases, a representative democracy (or any form of

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 PUNJABI UNIVERSITY 1st SEMESTER (5 YEAR)
POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIT -2

democracy) might be considered a republic. Some of the types of republics that you might see
include:
Crowned (a constitutional monarchy might be considered a crowned republic)
Single Party
Capitalist
Federal (the United States is often referred to as a federal republic)
Parliamentary
The main characteristic of a republic is that the government is subject to the people, and
leaders can be recalled. Some even make the argument that an oligarchy, which is rule by a
few citizens, or a group of citizens, is a form of republic, since the government is subject to
some of the wishes of some of the governed.

3. Monarchy

When most of us think of a monarchy, we think of the political systems of medieval

European countries. In a monarchy, a ruler is not usually chosen by the voice of the people or
their representatives. Often a monarch is the head of state until he or she abdicates or until
death. In many cases a monarch is the final word in government. There may be functionaries
to make decisions and run the political system, but the monarch has discretion with the laws,
and how they are enforced.

However, as with other political systems, there are different types of monarchies. The type
that many of us think of as common is the absolute monarchy, in which the monarch truly has
the ultimate say in matters of government. However, most monarchies in political systems
today do not follow this method. Many of them, especially in the developed world, have
limits. Constitutional monarchies fall into this category (and are sometimes considered
republics as well). In this type of monarchy, the ruler is the head of state, but a constitution
limits the power, and others make laws. The U.K., Denmark, Kuwait, Spain, Sweden, Tuvalu,
and many more are examples of constitutional monarchies.
Other types of monarchies include duchies, grand duchies, elective monarchy (where the
monarch is actually elected), and non-sovereign monarchy.

4. Communism

In most cases, a communist state is based on the ideology of communism as taught

by Marx and/or Lenin. However, some argue that these political systems are not true to the
ideals espoused by these revolutionary thinkers. Communist states are often dominated by a
single party, or a group of people. A planned economy is often part of the governing class,
and in many cases resources are taken and then redistributed to others, at the top of the
system. Sometimes communists call themselves “workers’ states” or “socialist,” but there are
very real differences in their operation. In a lot of cases, citizens are required to do certain
jobs, or have some of their life decisions — especially concerning where they can live and
what jobs they can do. Communism is often considered an authoritarian political system.

5. Dictatorship

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 PUNJABI UNIVERSITY 1st SEMESTER (5 YEAR)
POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIT -2

Another authoritarian form of government is the dictatorship. Normally, a dictator is the main
individual ruling the country. While there are lackeys and others who work for the dictator,
he or she makes most of the decisions, and usually has enforcers. In some cases, the political
system is run by a small group of people. Dictators are not restricted by constitutions or
parliaments. The governed are usually not consented in any way. Elections held are usually
affairs in which the dictator is the only candidate.

One of the more common types of dictatorship is the military dictatorship, in which a military
organization governs, running the political system. Sometimes, the military just exerts a great
deal of pressure on the government, running the country de facto. In many cases, very few
benefit from the decisions made in a dictatorship.
While authoritarian political systems have the advantage of quick decisions being made,
many citizens prefer other forms of government — those that allow them greater participation
in the political process.

What is the difference between State and Government?

In a popular talk the terms the ‘State’ and Government” are very often used synonymously.
Common people use them in an identical sense. Even the king like Louis XIV ignored this
distinction when he said. “I am the State”. What he claimed was actually the government and
the State whose authority he had possessed.
The political scientists make a clear distinction between the State and government. Some of
the difficult problems of political science are solved on the basis of the distinction between
the State and government. Some of the difficult problems of political science are solved on
the basis of the distinction between the State and government.
Here are some of the important differences between the State and government.

1. The Stale has four elements like population, territory. Government and sovereignty.
Government is a narrow concept and it is an element of the State. It is rightly said the State is
an organic concept in which the government is a part. Willoughby writes. “By the term
government is designated the organization of the State machinery through which is
designated the organization of the State machinery through which its purposes are formulated
and executed'”. Government is an agent of the State. That is why in a democracy, it is
considered as servant and the State as master. Government is compared with the brain of the
living organism; what the brain is to the man. The government is to the State.

2. The State is more or less permanent and continues from time immemorial. But the
government is temporary. It changes frequently. A government may come and go, but the
State continues for ever. Death of a ruler or the overthrow of a government in general
elections does not mean the change of the State. If the Janata Government replaces the
Congress Government, it involves no fundamental changes in the structure of the State of
India.

3. The State is generally composed of all citizens but all of them are not members of the
government. The government consists of only a few selected citizens. The organ of the
government consists of only a few selected citizens. The organs of the government are
executive, legislature and judiciary. The few selected persons will run these three organs of

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 PUNJABI UNIVERSITY 1st SEMESTER (5 YEAR)
POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIT -2

the government. Thus, the State is a much broader organization than the government.
Membership of the State is compulsory but not that of the government.

4. The State possesses sovereignty. Its authority is absolute and unlimited. Its power cannot
be taken away by any other institution. Government possesses no sovereignty, no original
authority, but only derivative powers delegated by the State through its constitution. Powers
of government are delegated and limited.

5. The State is an abstract concept whereas government is a concrete one. Nobody sees the
State and the State never acts. The government is a physical manifestation and it acts for the
State. It consists of a definite group of persons who can be seen and known. It is a tangible
organization which can be seen and questioned.

6. All States are identical in character and nature. Whether big or small, the characteristics of
the State do not undergo changes. But governments are of different types and they may vary
form the State to the. State Various political scientists, have given different classifications of
government. Aristotle had classified government into monarchy, aristocracy and democracy
Marriot has classified government into parliamentary or presidential and unitary or federal.
Thus, there is no uniform pattern of government. But the State is a universal institution
having one single form with its four essential characteristics.

7. Lastly the citizens possess rights to go against, government and not against the State. The
State only acts through the government and the government may commit mistakes and not the
State. Thus, the citizens have only rights to go against the government. Moreover, the State
consists of a the citizens, the citizens go against the State, it will mean to go against
themselves. This is an impossible proposition. The State is therefore, and indestructible union
of citizens having the chief characteristic of permanence and continuity. Government is only
a part of the State.