Concept and structure of the political system. Politic system
Systems approach and political science. The modern theory of the political system was formed under the influence of achievements in biology and cybernetics. For the first time, the concept of “system” in relation to the object of research was introduced into science by the German biologist von Bertalanffy (20s of the twentieth century) to denote the process of metabolism between a cell and external environment.
Definitions of a political system in political science: T. Parsons defines a political system as a subsystem of society, the purpose of which is to determine collective goals, mobilize resources, and make decisions. From Easton's point of view, a political system is a set of interactions regarding the volitional distribution of values.
General concept: the political system of a society is a set of institutions (state bodies, political parties, movements, public organizations, etc.) ordered on the basis of law and other social norms, within which the political life of society takes place and political power is exercised.
The concept of a political system shows how political processes are regulated, how political power is formed and functions. This is a mechanism of organization and functioning political power.
The term “political system” appeared in the 50s and 60s.
XX century. This fact reflected a growing understanding of the systemic nature of politics. Previously, to understand power relations, the concept of “type of government”, “system of government” was used
and so on. Those who operated with these concepts usually reduced politics to the activities of state structures, highlighting them as the main subjects of power relations. With the establishment of democratic systems, power ceased to be a monopoly of the state, and power relations became more complex, since non-governmental organizations began to participate in them.
There was a more important reason for the introduction of a systems approach to political science: the search for universal patterns and mechanisms that would provide society with stability and survival in an unfavorable external environment.
Structure of the political system:
■ political organization of society, including the state, political parties, public organizations, labor collectives etc.;
■ political consciousness, characterizing the psychological and ideological aspects of political power and the political system;
■ socio-political and legal norms regulating the political life of society and the process of exercising political power;
■ political relations that develop between elements of the political system regarding political power;
■ political practice, consisting of political activity and cumulative political experience.
The system-forming category that integrates these elements into a single political system is the category of “political power”. It is the concept of “power” that most fully characterizes the process of functioning of the political system.
The mechanism of functioning of the political system. Constantly maintaining connections with the external environment, the components of which can be nature, economy, culture, social structure, the political system, with the help of regulatory mechanisms, develops responses to incoming impulses and adapts to external operating conditions. Exchange and interaction with the environment are carried out according to the “input” – “output” principle. There are two types of login: demand and support. A demand is an opinion addressed to authorities regarding the desirable or undesirable distribution of values in society. Demands tend to weaken the political system. Support leads to a strengthening of the political system. It ensures relative stability of government bodies that transform environmental requirements into appropriate decisions, and also creates the necessary conditions to take practical steps to bring about change.
Politic system is in a relationship of comprehensive interdependence with the external environment. It must transform incoming demands into appropriate decisions and actions, provided that it is able to self-regulate.
Functions of the political system. The essence of a political system is most fully manifested in its functions. The following functions of the political system are distinguished:
■ ensuring political power for a certain social group or the majority of members of a given society (the political system establishes and implements specific forms and methods of power - democratic and anti-democratic, violent and non-violent);
■ management of various spheres of people’s life in the interests of certain social groups or the majority of the population (the action of the political system as a manager includes the setting of goals, objectives, ways of developing society, and specific programs for the activities of political institutions);
■ mobilization of the funds and resources necessary to achieve these goals and objectives (without enormous organizational work, human, material and spiritual resources, many set goals and objectives are doomed to deliberate failure);
■ identifying and representing the interests of various subjects of political relations;
■ satisfying the interests of various subjects of political relations through the distribution of material and spiritual values in accordance with certain ideals of a particular society (it is in the sphere of distribution that the interests of various communities of people collide);
■ integration of society, creating the necessary conditions for the interaction of various elements of its structure (by uniting various political forces, the political system tries to smooth out, remove the contradictions that inevitably arise in society, and overcome conflicts);
■ political socialization (through which the political consciousness of the individual is formed and he is “involved” in the work of specific political mechanisms, due to which the political system is reproduced by training more and more new members of society and introducing them to political participation and activity);
■ legitimation of political power (i.e. achieving a certain degree of compliance of real political life with official political and legal norms).
Typology of political systems. The category of political system performs a dual function in political science: on the one hand, it allows us to highlight various elements political life, to find out the nature of their interaction, on the other hand, to present politics as a certain integrity, to highlight common features political life in different countries, compare different types of its organization. In this case we can talk about various types political systems. It is clear that since the basis for identifying and comparing ways of organizing political life can be different, the typologies of political systems also turn out to be different.
Depending on the character political regime Political systems are democratic, authoritarian and totalitarian.
Characteristic features of a political system of a democratic type:
■ majority rule;
■ freedom of criticism and opposition to the government;
■ protection of the minority and, in turn, its loyalty to the political community;
■ the right of the people to participate in solving public affairs; respect and protection of human rights.
■ the use of strong, tough means of solving social and political problems, relying on repressive bodies in their activities;
■ restriction of political freedoms of citizens, suppression of the opposition;
■ centralization of management, suppression of regional and personal autonomy;
■ concentration of social management functions in one person or a narrow social stratum.
Characteristic features of a totalitarian type political system:
■ denial or significant restriction of individual rights and freedoms, establishment of strict state control over all aspects of social life;
■ blurring the line between personal and public, individual and public, mixing freedom with power;
■ radical limitation of the individual’s initiative, his complete dependence on the state machine in solving almost all political problems.
USSR 1977. Before this, terms such as “political organization of class society” and “system of socialist democracy” were used.
There are many definitions of a political system that differ in conceptual approaches. Let's list some of them.
The political system of society itself general view can be defined as a system of state and non-state social institutions that carry out certain political functions.
The political system of society is understood as a system of state and non-state social institutions that perform certain political functions. The political system includes the following social institutions: the state, parties, trade unions and other organizations and movements participating in the sphere of public life, where the core is the conquest, retention and use of power. It is power and relations regarding it that characterize the political functions of various social institutions and are system-forming factors that shape and form the political system.
A political system is a cumulative connection of social relations represented in state bodies and public organizations with which the exercise of state power is associated.
The political system of society is the unity of interacting bodies of the state, public associations and institutions of direct democracy, through which the people participate in the management of the affairs of society and the state.
The political system includes four subsystems: 1) political organizations; 2) political norms; 3) political relations; 4) political ideology.
The political system forms a set of interacting norms, ideas and political institutions and actions based on them that organize political power and the relationship between citizens and the state. The main purpose of this multidimensional formation is to ensure integrity and unity of actions of people in politics. The main components of a political system: political structure, political and legal norms, political activity, political consciousness and political culture.
The political system of society is an integral, ordered set of political institutions, political parties, relationships, processes, principles of political organization of society, subordinate to the code of political, social, legal, ideological, cultural norms, historical traditions and guidelines of the political regime of a particular society. The political system includes the organization of political power, relations between society and the state, characterizes the course of political processes, including the institutionalization of power, the state of political activity, and the level of political creativity in society.
Political systems are understood as a combination of state, party and public bodies and organizations involved in managing the affairs of the society.
The structure of the political system of society
In the scientific literature, the elements of the political system are divided into the following groups:
a) proper political: state, political parties, individual public organizations.
A characteristic feature of these organizations is their direct connection with politics, their active influence on politics. The immediate purpose of their creation and operation is a political goal. It consists in the formation and implementation of internal and foreign policy on different stages development of society; in political and ideological influence (education) on various layers and classes existing in society; in carrying out the political interests of the ruling circles and partly of the whole society.
b) non-proprietary political associations are those organizations that arise and develop not due to directly political reasons, but due to economic and other reasons. These are trade unions, cooperatives and other organizations. The direct purpose of their creation and functioning, in contrast to proper political associations, is never a political goal. These institutions carry out their activities not in the political, but in production, social, cultural and other spheres of life. They do not set themselves the immediate task of actively influencing state power for political purposes. The political activities of these organizations do not form the basis of their functioning. It is not of decisive importance for them.
c) organizations that have little political aspect. They arise and function on the basis of the personal inclinations and interests of a particular layer of people to engage in certain activities. These include associations such as numismatists, tourists, etc.
They acquire a political connotation only as objects of influence on them by state and other political bodies and organizations, but by no means as subjects, bearers of political power and corresponding political decisions.
The decisive role among all the above-mentioned associations is components The state has always played and continues to play in the political system of society.
The political system consists of subsystems that are interconnected with each other and ensure the functioning of public power. By functional sign can be distinguished the following types subsystems: institutional, normative, communicative, cultural and functional.
The institutional subsystem includes the state, political parties, socio-economic and public organizations and the relations between them, which together form the political system of society. The central place in this subsystem belongs to the state. Of particular importance are the church and the media, which have the ability to significantly influence the process of forming public opinion.
The normative subsystem includes legal, political, moral norms and values, traditions, customs. Through them, the political system regularly influences the activities of institutions and the behavior of citizens. The normative subsystem is formed by all kinds of norms that determine the external behavior of people in political life, namely their participation in the processes of putting forward demands, transforming these demands into decisions, and implementing the decisions made. These norms are the basic rules of participation in all types of political process. Norms can be divided into two types: norms-habits and norms-laws.
The functional subsystem is methods of political activity, ways of exercising power. It forms the basis of the political regime, whose activities are aimed at ensuring the functioning, transformation and protection of the mechanism for exercising power in society.
The communication subsystem includes all forms of political interaction both within the system (for example, between state institutions and political parties) and with the political systems of other states. The communication subsystem establishes connections between the institutions of the political system. Elements of this subsystem include channels for transmitting information to the government (the procedure for hearing cases in open sessions, commissions of inquiry, confidential consultations with interested groups, etc.), as well as the media (television, radio, magazines, books aimed at huge audience).
Types of political systems
The type of political system is a collection common features, characteristic of certain groups of political systems. This category reflects, first of all, the moment of variability and development of the phenomenon being studied. Classifications of political systems are carried out on various grounds.
Based on formational approach One can distinguish the political system of slave-owning, feudal, bourgeois and socialist society.
a) The state acts as a single organization of political power throughout the country. State power extends to the entire population within a certain territory. The integrity of society and the interconnection of its members is ensured by the institution of citizenship, or nationality. It is in the presence of the institution of citizenship that the essence of the state is expressed for an individual. The exercise of power in a certain territory requires the establishment of its spatial limits - the state border, which separates one state from another. Within a given territory, the state has the supremacy and completeness of legislative and judicial power over the population.
b) The state is a special organization of political power that has special mechanism, a system of bodies and institutions that directly govern society. The mechanism of the state is provided by the institutions of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. For supporting normal conditions In order to ensure the existence of society, the state also uses coercion, carried out with the help of violent bodies: the army, law enforcement and security services.
c) The state organizes public life on the basis of law. Only the state can regulate the life of society with the help of laws that are generally binding. The state implements the requirements of legal norms with the help of its special bodies (courts, administrations).
d) The state is a sovereign organization of power. Sovereignty state power is expressed in its supremacy and independence from any other authorities within the country or in relations with other states. The supremacy of state power is manifested: a) in the universal binding nature of its decisions for the population; b) the possibility of canceling resolutions and decisions of non-state political organizations; c) in the possession of a number of exclusive rights, for example the right to issue laws that are binding on the population; d) in stock special means influence on the population that other organizations do not have (apparatus of coercion and violence).
e) The state has a system of forced collection of taxes and obligatory payments, which ensures its economic independence.
Let's look at some of them. Depending on the relationship with the church, the state is distinguished between secular, theocratic and clerical.
A secular state presupposes the separation of church and state, the delimitation of their spheres of activity. The church does not perform political functions and, therefore, in this case is not an element of the political system of society. The secular state does not interfere in internal church activities and does not provide the church with material support, but it protects the legitimate activities of religious organizations and regulates the most important aspects from the point of view of general interest.
A theocratic state is the opposite of a secular state, since in it state power belongs to the church, the monarch is also the supreme clergyman. The Vatican is such a state.
An intermediate option between secular and theocratic is the clerical state, which is not merged with the church, but the church, through legally established institutions, has a decisive influence on public policy. Currently, the clerical states are Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Israel and some others. Thus, in Great Britain, representatives of the highest clergy sit in the House of Lords. The Church is engaged in registering acts of civil status, and sometimes regulates marriage and family relations. The Church has broad powers in the field of raising the younger generation and education, and conducts religious censorship of printed materials. It should also be noted that the church has a fairly strong economic position: it receives various subsidies from the state, is a major owner, and usually enjoys preferential taxation.
Influence religious communities and churches on political life depends primarily on the level of development of democracy in the country, on the nature of the political regime. In democratic states, as a rule, the equality of religions and churches, freedom of conscience and religion are recognized, the church is separated from the state, any privileges and any discrimination on religious grounds are prohibited. However, a number of democratic states are clerical states.
In totalitarian-distributive political systems, formal veils of non-intervention hid the actual interference of the state in the affairs of the church and attempts to control the clergy.
And in societies where certain religious systems dominated, for example, Islam, on the contrary, religious organizations had and are having an impact on the functioning of state institutions, set and determine social goals and meanings of social and political life, and actually act as an important institution of the political system.
In these societies, the relationship between the state and religious entities is very contradictory: from the complete subordination of state institutions to religious rules and requirements to periodic acute conflicts between the state and the so-called fundamentalist members of society.
State and local governments
Local self-government is the organization of local government, which involves independent decision population on issues of local significance. Local self-government is carried out by citizens through various forms direct expression of will (referendum, elections, etc.), as well as through elected and other local authorities.
Bodies of local self-government and self-organization of society arise to resolve local affairs: everyday and communal affairs, ritual, and spiritual life. This various tips, municipalities, gatherings, meetings, clubs, etc. Such bodies and self-organizations include labor collectives and their governing bodies. Specific gravity bodies of self-government and self-organization in the political system of society is very large. For example, labor collectives in some societies were endowed with special political functions: nominating candidates for deputies of representative bodies of power, their participation in election campaigns.
Political system: concept, structure and functions
Completed by a 2nd year student
12th day group
Putyatin D. G.
The concept of a political system......................................................... ....................................3
Structure of the political system......................................................... ................................7
Functions of the political system................................................................... ............................. .....10
Literature................................................. ........................................................ ...................15
“An association can be called political insofar as the forced introduction of its order is carried out constantly in a given territory through the use or threat of use physical strength from the administrative apparatus."
Max Weber.
Concept of political system
The concept of “political system” is one of the main ones in political science and allows us to present political life, the political process in a certain integrity and stability, focusing on the structural, organizational-institutional, and functional aspects of politics.
Before revealing the concept of a political system, it is necessary to briefly dwell on the interpretation of the concept of system and determine its meaning in relation to socio-political phenomena.
The concept of a system is very broad and general. In a very broad sense, it can be defined as “interdependent elements, that is, they are so interconnected that if you change one element, then the others will also change and, therefore, the whole set will change,” wrote Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Thus, clarifying the concept is of great importance.
System (gr. systema - a whole made up of parts; connection) is a set of elements (objects, phenomena, views, knowledge, etc.) that are naturally interconnected with each other, representing a certain integral formation, unity.
Systems theory itself actively began to take shape in the West with late XIX c.: a) within the framework of the so-called “general theory of systems”, mainly at the level of biological organisms (L. Von Bertalanffy - the founder of the school, M. Mesarovich, A. Rappoport, W. Ashby, etc.); b) in cybernetics (N. Wiener, W. Ashby, St. Beer, etc.); c) in sociology (C. Cooley, G. Simmel, T. Parsons, etc.); d) in the theory of production management (F. Taylor, A. Foyol, etc.), later in “managerialism”; e) in economics (V. Leontiev).
Among domestic scientists, it should be noted A.A. Bogdanov (Malinovsky), whose works are devoted to general organizational theory. His work “Tectology” (1912), in some way a sketch of the general theory of systems, is of considerable interest today, and some of Bogdanov’s ideas were developed by cybernetics. A.A. contributed to systems theory. Gastev, P.K. Kerzhentsev, O.A. Yermansky, A.I. Berg, V.M. Glushkov.
Thus, in the development of general systems theory there are significant traditions and achievements in both foreign and domestic literature. To a lesser extent, this applies to the socio-political aspects of systems theory, although in this area it should be noted the fruitful attempts of V.G. Afanasyeva, A.K. Belykh, F.M. Burlatsky and others.
One of the first general theory T. Parsons tried to apply systems to socio-political processes, who defined the political system as a subsystem of society, the purpose of which is to determine collective goals, mobilize resources, and make decisions. But that was only the beginning. The founder of the theory of political systems is considered to be the American political scientist D. Easton.
Often, both here and in the West, there is an actual identification of the concepts of “political system” and “systemic approach” in politics. Such a mixture is not alien to such famous political scientists of the West as D. Easton, K. Deutsch, M. Duverger and others. However, it is not difficult to prove that the systems approach is one of the methodological directions in political science research and should not be confused with the political system. These are diverse categories that cannot be mixed without significant costs in terms of the quality and reliability of the research results.
Most Western political scientists understand a political system as a set of political relationships and relationships that exist in each political community. One of them belongs to D. Easton, according to whom “it is possible to identify political interactions (interactions) in a society as its political system, rather than as a government, state, power or complex of decision-making processes.” As Easton puts it, “We can characterize a political system as the behavior or set of interactions through which authoritative allocations of resources (or binding decisions) are achieved and implemented for society.” With this approach, this concept includes almost any social relationship in which political influence is exerted or authoritative decisions are made. A political system presupposes the presence not only of a system of relations, but also, first of all, of institutional infrastructure structures on the basis of which these relations can unfold. As T. Parsons emphasized, structure constitutes the “anatomy” of a social system, and functions constitute its “physiology.” This postulate is no less true in relation to the political system.
To be fair, it should be noted that, in principle, supporters of system analysis, for example G. Almond, recognize the need to highlight the structures that perform political functions when analyzing the political system. But at the same time, defining a political system as “a set of interacting roles, or role structure,” Almond understood the structure as “standardization of interactions.” Based on this, he defined the political system itself as “a standardized interaction of roles influencing decisions, supported by the threat of physical coercion.” Obviously, with this approach, the question of the institutional structure, the “anatomy” of the political system, seems to lose relevance.
G. Almond proposed to understand the political system as “all types of actions related to decision-making to the adoption of political decisions in the field of state relations.
From the point of view of Ward and Makridis, the political system is a mechanism for identifying, posing problems, developing and making decisions in the field of state relations.
A number of political scientists suggest that the political system must be associated, first of all, with those subjects of political relations that are institutional in nature. And the political system itself must be considered as an institutional mechanism of politics, the various elements of which organize and normatively consolidate individual species political relations. This is the specificity this concept, which gives it the right to exist. In this case, we must proceed from the fact that power relations in modern society are implemented mainly through political institutions. Miller
The first historical form of such institutions is the state. Subsequently, political parties emerged, which are also institutional in nature. Similar characteristics are possessed by those public organizations and movements, at least one aspect of whose activities is related to political-power relations. The institutional basis of all of them is the primary subjects of politics.
Of course, the political life of society is not limited to the activities of political institutional structures; it includes the entire set of relations that develop between social actors regarding the conquest and use of political power.
Thus, in their opinion, the political system of society can be defined as a complex of relevant institutions (state, parties, public associations) that develop between political subjects of relations and political and legal norms regulating these relations. This approach to understanding the political system is also characteristic of a number of foreign authors, including the American political scientist Michael Parenti. By political system he means various bodies of state power, as well as political parties, legislation, individuals and groups of representatives of private interests that influence state power.
Structure of the political system
There is no consensus among political scientists regarding the structure of the political system.
The literature notes that the political system is a dialectical unity of four sides:
1) institutional (state, political parties, socio-economic and other organizations that together form political organization society);
2) regulatory (law, political norms and traditions, some moral norms, etc.);
3) functional (methods of political activity that form the basis of the political regime);
4) ideological (political consciousness, primarily the dominant ideology in a given society).
Soloviev A.I. identifies the following as the fundamental structural components of the political system:
Institutional, revealing the most characteristic ways of articulation and aggregation of social interests for a given society; type of formation of political associations, parties, interest groups; a set of institutions, structures and organizations participating in the competition for power; features of the electoral system, political system etc.;
Normative, characterizing the type of decision-making established in society; prevailing methods of political coercion; forms of government control over decisions taken; technologies for public control over government; features of the constitutional and judicial systems; principles and norms of political ethics, etc.;
Informational, demonstrating the type of cultural language accepted in society; traditions, customs, symbols, rituals used to ensure the political process; features of political semantics, forms of interpersonal and intergroup communication, etc.
There is another structure of the political system of society proposed by Melnik V.A. It includes the following elements in the structure of the political system: the state, political parties, public organizations and movements, political and legal norms.
Melnik V.A. identifies several properties of the state that give it the status of the main component of the political system: firstly, it is the state’s right to use physical coercion, for which it has special bodies at its disposal; secondly, the universality of the state’s influence on its citizens, the binding nature of its orders for all members of society.
Political parties are not directly government bodies. They act as amateur organizations of certain classes, social groups and strata of society and have an indirect influence on the functioning of the institutions of political power. However, without a doubt, the main purpose of a political party is to achieve political power, to fight for control over the organs of the state in order to realize the interests of social strata represented by the party. The party takes part in the development of the country's political course and its implementation, influences the nomination of state leaders and the formation of representative institutions. Parties are the main source of personnel for legislative, executive and judicial bodies.
A specific role in the political system belongs to public organizations and movements. Both are voluntary associations of citizens whose activities are aimed at achieving certain group or public goals. An example of such associations are national movements, professional, youth, veterans, business unions and other societies and associations. In fact, public organization is also a church. Political role each of these associations is expressed in influencing the course of election campaigns, as well as pressure on political parties and state bodies. Some of the public associations tend to turn into political parties, as happened, for example, with popular fronts in the countries of the former USSR.
Political and legal norms play the role of a regulatory element of the political system; they are designed to streamline the relations between various political subjects - both primary and secondary. A political norm is a pattern, an inculcation, a principle of activity, recognized by the subject of politics and which he follows in practice. There are various political norms: formal and informal, oral and written, explicit and latent, universal and private. Accepted in in the prescribed manner, recorded on paper and binding on social actors, political norms are at the same time legal norms. The set of political and legal norms developed by a given society ensures a certain consistency, consistency and predictability in the actions of political subjects. Thanks to them, the integrity and relative stability of the political system of society itself is maintained.
Functions of the political system
It should be noted that among political scientists there is a significant range of opinions in understanding the functions of the political system. Apparently, this is a reflection of the fact that these functions are not constant, they change as the historical situation develops.
One of important characteristics political system is considering it as a management system designed to flexibly adapt to the changing conditions of social development. The vital activity of a political system is manifested in the process of performing its functions with the help of certain methods and means that reflect the specific historical situation.
The functions of a political system determine its structure, institutions and process of action. IN scientific research functions, however, are highlighted very rarely. Perhaps this is because. That the disclosure of the nature of the political system, designed to embody the power of the class, the people and achieve the satisfaction of class and public interests, is recognized as sufficient to express the direction of its activities. But this is not enough, since this approach does not fully reveal the meaningfulness of the action of the system as a whole. After all, functional-purpose unity serves as one of its defining characteristics.
Determining the functions of a political system is not a simple matter, since it is impossible to mechanically transfer the functions of its component parts to the functions as a whole, because the former have their own set of functions.
In connection with the study of the functional aspects of the development of a political system, it is necessary to clarify the very concept of “function”. It is commonly used in three senses: as a definition of a task, as an activity, and as a result or contribution. An adequate definition of the concept “function” is to characterize it as a property of a substance that finds its manifestation in a certain type of activity.
All social systems, according to T. Parsons, have four common basic functions: the system must correspond to its “model”, especially in the aspect of governance and the king over society; it must adapt and regulate its relationships with the external environment and other systems; it must integrate its functions and tasks, i.e. determine the relationships between its constituent elements; the system, having specific goals, must do everything to achieve these goals, namely: formulate them, implement appropriate measures, and orient the population towards them.
In this regard, according to B.I. Krasnov, the main functions of the political system as a whole are the following:
Determining the goals and objectives of society, developing activity programs in accordance with the interests of the country's citizens. Goals can be: immediate, intermediate and final (according to the time of implementation); economic, social, political, ideological (in content). Aimless politics is a crisis in the development of society;
Mobilization of resources and organization of society’s activities to achieve its goals and objectives;
Strengthening the unity of society;
Distribution of values in accordance with the interests of the entire society and individual social groups, nations, each person;
Conflict resolution. Any political authority that has a monopoly on legal coercion is born out of the need to deal with conflict.
Speaking about the functions of the political system, we are actually talking about the “work” of the political system, its functioning.
One of the generally accepted classifications of the functions of the political system was presented by G. Almond and J. Powell. They identified by importance those functions, each of which satisfies a specific need of the system, and together they ensure “preservation of the system through its change.”
Preservation or maintenance of the existing model of the political system is carried out through the function of political socialization. Political socialization is the process of acquiring political knowledge, beliefs, feelings, and values inherent in the society in which a person lives. Introducing the individual to political values, following the standards of political behavior accepted in society. A loyal attitude to government institutions ensures the maintenance of the existing model of the political system. The stability of a political system is achieved if its functioning is based on principles that correspond to the political culture of society. Thus, American political culture is based on a number of myths, ideals and ideas that are recognized by the majority of the country's population despite religious and racial differences. Among them is an attitude towards one’s country as God’s chosen one, providing a person with a unique opportunity for self-realization or an orientation towards personal success, giving confidence that you can escape from poverty and achieve wealth only by relying on your abilities, etc.
The viability of the system is ensured by its ability to adapt to environment, its capabilities. The adaptation function can be carried out through political recruitment - training and selection of government officials (leaders, elites) capable of finding the most effective solutions current problems and offer them to the community.
The response function is no less important. Thanks to this function, the political system responds to impulses and signals coming from outside or from within it. Highly developed responsiveness allows the system to quickly adapt to changing operating conditions. This is especially important when new demands of groups and parties appear, ignoring which can lead to disintegration and collapse of society.
The political system is able to effectively respond to emerging demands if it has the resources. It draws these resources from internal or external economic, natural, etc. environment. This function is called extraction. The resources received must be distributed in such a way as to ensure integration and agreement of interests various groups within society. Consequently, the distribution of goods, services and statuses by a political system constitutes the content of its distributive (distributive) function.
Finally, the political system influences society through management and coordination of the behavior of individuals and groups. The managerial actions of the political system express the essence of the regulatory function. It is implemented by introducing norms and rules on the basis of which individuals and groups interact, as well as through the application of administrative and other measures against violators of the rules.
Literature
Krasnov B.I. Political system // Social and political journal. – 1995. - No. 5. – P. 67 – 80
Chirkin V.E. Global models of political systems of modern society: indicators of effectiveness // State and Law. 1992. No. 5. P. 83.
Jean-Marie Denquin “Political Science” Publishing House MN EPU Moscow 1993
Fundamentals of the theory of the political system. – M., 1985. – 248 S.
Soloviev A.I. Political science: Political theory, political technologies: Textbook for universities. – M.: Aspect Press, 2001.–559 pp.
G.A. Belov "Political Science". Textbook Benefit. – M.: CheRo, 1996
Mukhaev R.T. Political science: a textbook for universities. Second edition. – M.: PRIOR Publishing House, 2001. – 432 p.
Melnik V.A. Political Science: Textbook. – Minsk, 1996. – 479 p.
K.S. Gadzhiev Political Science A manual for teachers, graduate students, and students of humanities faculties. Moscow 1994
See: Jean-Marie Denquin “Political Science” Publishing House MN EPU Moscow 1993
See: Krasnov B.I. Political system // Socio-political journal. – 1995. - No. 5. – P. 67 – 80
See: K.S. Gadzhiev Political Science A manual for teachers, graduate students, and students of humanities faculties. Moscow 1994
See: G.A. Belov "Political Science". Textbook Benefit. – M.: CheRo, 1996
See for example: Melnik V.A. Political Science: Textbook. – Minsk, 1996. – 479 p.
See for example: Chirkin V.E. Global models of political systems of modern society: indicators of effectiveness // State and Law. 1992. No. 5. P. 83.
See: Soloviev A.I. Political science: Political theory, political technologies: Textbook for universities. – M.: Aspect Press, 2001.–559 pp.
See: Melnik V.A. Political Science: Textbook. – Minsk, 1996. – 479 p.
See: Fundamentals of the theory of the political system. – M., 1985. – 248 S.
See: Krasnov B.I. Political system // Socio-political journal. – 1995. - No. 5. – P. 67 – 80
See: Mukhaev R.T. Political science: a textbook for universities. Second edition. – M.: PRIOR Publishing House, 2001. – 432 p.
Political system of society: concept, structure, functions
The political system of a society or the political organization of a society is a set of interactions (relations) of political subjects, organized on a single normative and value basis, related to the exercise of power (government) and the management of society.
This concept unites various actions and relationships of ruling groups and subordinates, managers and controlled, dominant and subordinates, theoretically generalizes the activities and relationships of organized forms of power relations - state and other institutions and institutions, as well as ideological and political values and norms governing the political life of members of a given society. The concept of “political system” denotes the structures of political activity and relations and types of political process characteristic of a particular society.
Basic forms of political systems : Democracy, Theocracy, Totalitarianism, Authoritarianism
Views on the political system :
The concept of a political system is multidimensional. This explains the ambiguity of approaches in his analysis:
If we consider the system in institutional terms, then it can be reduced to a set of state and non-state institutions and norms within the framework of which the political life of a given society takes place.
In another version, the power aspect of the political system is emphasized and its definition is associated mainly with the legitimation of state coercion as a means of regulating relationships between people.
In the third, the political system is considered as a system of authoritarian (with the help of power) distribution of values in society.
Each of these approaches will be correct provided that the aspect of the definition of the concept is specifically indicated.
Rational basis:
It should also be noted that the political system is not only formed, but also operates mainly on a rational basis (based on knowledge). The rationality of politics is embodied in such institutions (according to T. Parsons) as leadership, authorities and regulation. Recognition of the institution of leadership quite accurately characterizes the specifics of a political system that is purposefully formed and operating. In this context, the concept of “leadership” means a certain normative model of behavior of an individual or group (elite, party), which includes, due to the position they occupy in a given society, the right and responsibility to take initiative in the name of achieving a common goal and to involve the entire community in its implementation.
Systematicity:
A political system can be considered as a social system for which such an interconnection of its elements is assumed that it forms a certain integrity, unity. And this means the unity of the subjects included in the system (social groups, organizations, individuals) with specific features that characterize the system, and not individual elements. Moreover, these characteristics are not reducible to the sum of the properties that make up the system of elements. In turn, the properties of the elements are not deducible from the characteristics of the whole.
The political system is characterized by the general features of social systems. In addition, it is characterized by specific features arising from the nature of politics and power. This system, unlike, say, the economic one, is formed mainly purposefully. Its foundation contains a set of corresponding ideas and values - an ideology that reflects the social interests of large social groups and determines the appearance of the system. The institutions that form the political system, as already mentioned, represent objectified political ideas and projects. Hence the need to take into account in the analysis the special role of the spiritual factor in developing the mechanisms of functioning and modernization of the system.
The political system, being conditioned by socio-economic structures, acts in relation to them and to the entire social environment as a whole, functioning as a relatively independent complex of social institutions and political relations. It has its own life, its own patterns, which is determined by the presence of special structural connections, roles, functions, as well as their consolidation and regulation by special norms - legal and political.
As a part of society, functioning in a social environment, the political system is influenced by those influences that come from the outside, from society, as well as impulses from within - the interactions of its institutions, values, etc.
Structure of the political system:
The structure of a political system means what elements it consists of and how they are interconnected. The following components of the political system are distinguished:
1) organizational (institutional) component - the political organization of society, including the state, political parties and movements, public organizations and associations, labor collectives, pressure groups, trade unions, churches, and the media.
2) cultural component - political consciousness, characterizing the psychological and ideological aspects of political power and the political system (political culture, political ideas/ideologies).
3) normative component - socio-political and legal norms regulating the political life of society and the process of exercising political power, traditions and customs, moral norms.
4) communicative component - information connections and political relations that develop between elements of the system regarding political power, as well as between the political system and society.
5) functional component - political practice, consisting of forms and directions of political activity; methods of exercising power.
Structure - most important property system, since it indicates the method of organization and the relationship of its elements.
Functions of the political system :
The essence of the political system of society is most clearly manifested in its functions. The following functions of the political system are distinguished:
1) Providing political power for a certain social group or for the majority of members of a given society (the political system establishes and implements specific forms and methods of power - democratic and anti-democratic, violent and non-violent, etc.).
2) Management of various spheres of people’s life in the interests of individual social groups or the majority of the population (the action of the political system as a manager includes the setting of goals, objectives, ways of developing society, and specific programs in the activities of political institutions).
3) Mobilization of the funds and resources necessary to achieve these goals and objectives (without enormous organizational work, human, material and spiritual resources, many set goals and objectives are doomed to deliberate failure).
4) Identification and representation of the interests of various subjects of political relations (without selection, clear definition and expression of these interests at the political level, no policy is possible).
5) Satisfying the interests of various subjects of political relations through the distribution of material and spiritual values in accordance with certain ideals of a particular society (it is in the sphere of distribution that the interests of various communities of people collide).
6) Integration of society, creating the necessary conditions for the interaction of various elements of its structure (by uniting different political forces, the political system tries to smooth out, remove the contradictions that inevitably arise in society, overcome conflicts, eliminate collisions).
7) Political socialization (through which the political consciousness of the individual is formed and he is included in the work of specific political mechanisms, due to which the political system is reproduced by training more and more new members of society and introducing them to political participation and activity).
8) Legitimation of political power (that is, achieving a certain degree of compliance with real political life with official political and legal norms).
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