1. Political System: Arena of Power and Decision-Making
Broader than Government or State
DefinitionPolitical System: The entire network of social structures, institutions, and processes through which a society makes and enforces its collective, binding decisions
Key Thinkers and Definitions:
| Thinker | Definition |
|---|---|
| David Easton | "A political system is the authoritative allocation of values for a society" - decides who gets what, when, and how |
| Talcott Parsons | The political system performs the goal-attainment function of the social system |
| Max Weber | The state is the organisation that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory |
| Gabriel Almond | Every political system performs the same functions through different structures |
Relationship Between Power and Political System:
- Institutionalises Power: Converts raw power into legitimate authority
- Converts Power into Authority: Through constitutions, laws, norms
- Regulates Conflict: Sets rules for arbitrating competing power claims
- Reproduces Power Relations: Favours those who already hold economic or social power
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In these notes
- Political System: Arena of Power and Decision-Making
- Meaning and Nature of Power
- Lukes' Three Faces (Dimensions) of Power
- Personal Power and Community Power
- Classical Elite Theory: Power Concentration
- Modern Elite Theory: Institutional Power
- Class Power: Economic Structure Determines Power
- Organisational Power: Bureaucracy and Oligarchy
- Mass Power: Numerically Largest, Episodically Powerful
- Pluralist Theory: Dispersed Power
- Criticisms of Pluralist Theory
- Foucault: Power as Dispersed and Productive
- Theories of Power Compared
- Pressure Groups: Organised Influence Without Power
- Pressure Groups and Political Parties Compared
- Theoretical Perspectives on Pressure Groups
- Classification of Pressure Groups
- Caste, Religion, Tribe and Language Groups
- How Pressure Groups Influence Policy
- Functional and Dysfunctional Roles
- Comparative Analysis
- Political Parties: Deeply Social Institutions
- Theoretical Perspectives on Political Parties
- Classical Typologies
- Caste, Class, Religion and Region
- Four Phases of Indian Party System
- Internal Democracy Deficit and Dynastic Succession
- Q: What are Pressure Groups? Discuss Their Role in Indian Democracy
- Q: 'Political Parties in India are Deeply Social Institutions, Not Mere Electoral Machines.' Critically Examine.
- Quick Revision Summary
- How to Write Answers on Political System
- Expected Questions for OPSC/UPSC
- Complete Summary