POLITICAL SYSTEM: CONCEPT AND

TYPES
Political SYSTEM: CONCEPT AND TYPES
 A 'system' is an integrated whole of various parts.
 A 'social system' is a set of integrated functioning units, each unit
functioning in terms of role assigned to it.
 A 'political system' is collectivity of political institutions (e.g.,
government), associations (e.g., political parties) and organizations
performing roles based on set norms and goals Like, maintaining internal
order, regulating foreign relations, and providing security from external
forces).
 It is also described as 'a collectivity of political institutions and
associations which administer the society through power, compelling
conformity to the existing system of authority and which works on the
basis of some principles and procedures'.
Political SYSTEM: CONCEPT AND TYPES

Almond and Coleman (1959) have defined it as "a

system which performs political functions in a society".
Max Weber has explained it as "organization that
successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of
physical force within a given territory ,state".
 Eisenstadt has defined it as "the organization of a
tribunal society having the legitimate monopoly over the
authorized use an regulation of force in the society".
Functions of political system
 Almond and Coleman have described three functions:
 (1) To maintain integration of society by determining norms, making
them universally applicable, implementing them, and imparting
punishment for violating them;
 (2) To adapt and change elements of social, economic and religious
systems necessary for achieving collective (political) goals;
 (3) To protect the integrity of the political system from outside
threats. Almond and Coleman have explained these functions in an
other way also. They classify them as output functions and input
functions. The 'output' functions are: rule-making, rule application
and rule adjudication.
The political systems have been mainly classified by Shills as:

 Democratic system, i.e., rule by the consent of the governed through elected
representatives of the citizens.
 Although democracy is based on majority rule, the protection of minority rights has
always been regarded _an essential aspect of the democratic system. Also important in
the democracy are equality before the law, freedom of speech, press assembly, and
protection from arbitrary arrest.
 (ii) Totalitarian i.e., system in which the state controls and regulates all phases of
considered essential for perpetuating its power and for carrying our programs arbitral.
 Centralized authority is stressed over the autonomy of individuals or groups within
the_ society. In practice, the state is represented by a politically powerful ruling class
or elite that dominates other interest groups.
 (iii) Oligarchic system, i.e., a system in which a small group rules and holds supreme
power over a larger society.
Democratic Political System And Structure In Traditional
And Modern Indian Society
Democracy is a broader sense denotes not only a political concept
but also way of life.
In the society In which each individual is believed to be entitled to
equality as regards his participating freely in the structures and
institutions of the society is concerned.
In a narrower sense, democracy denotes the opportunity of the
members of the society to participate freely in decisions in all realms
of life which affect their lives individually and collectively.
In its most restricted sense, the term (democracy) denotes the
opportunity of the citizens of a state to participate freely is political
decisions. Democracy, thus, seeks to set up an equalitarian society.
There are different kinds of democracy-political
 Social
 Economic
 Moral.
 Political democracy is delimited to adult franchise and elections for the
choice of political leadership.
 Social democracy aims at creating a classless and casteless society and
breaking down the social stratifications and prejudices. Economic
democracy lays emphasis on a welfare state and revolts against
concentration of wealth and economic disparities. Moral democracy is
directed towards orientation of the popular attitude and thinking with the
concepts of right and wrong conduct. The philosophy underlying democracy
is fellow-feeling, brotherhood and good conduct.
Democracy in Ancient India
The Rig Veda is so committed to democratic principles and ideals
that It has made democracy a deity and aptly called it 'Samjnana’
·
 The Term Samjnana means the collective consciousness of the
people, the national mind to which the individual mind is to pay
its homage as the source from which it derives its potency.
The hymm addressed to Sam1nana (in Rig Veda) called upon the
people to gather in their assembly in a union and speak there in
one voice minds (Sammanah) of hearts (Samachittam), of policy
(Samanmantraha) and of the hopes and aspirations (akutti)
Democracy in Ancient India
 The democratic principle was at work in different spheres of public life-
political, social and cultural. The democratic tradition of the Vedic era
governed the entire growth of Indian polity through the ages. Even where
there was monarchy, it was limited or Constitutional Monarchy so that the
pattern of monarchy remained fundamentally democratic.
 It was based on decentralization and local autonomy. The people formed the
following appropriate associations and groups to exercise their rights in self-
government in an ascending order: kula (clan), jati (caste), sreni (guild),
puga or pura (village community) and janapada (state).
Democracy in Ancient India
 Each group had its own rules and regulations and was working for
democracy at its respective stratum of self-government. Some of the
janapada (state) padas in ancient India were republican in form and some
had monarchic organisation. But each of them often had an assembly
(samiti,), the precursor of the modern parliament-which was attended by the
high and the low together with a view to taking decisions about the affairs of
the state