Comparative Politics: Definitions and Structural-Functional Analysis
Q1. Define Comparative Politics and Explain the Structural–Functional Approach
Introduction
Comparative Politics is one of the most significant branches of Political Science. It deals with the systematic comparison of political systems, institutions, processes, and behaviour across different countries. The purpose of comparison is to identify similarities and differences and to develop general theories about political systems and political development.
Meaning and Definition of Comparative Politics
Traditionally, Comparative Politics was understood as the study of constitutions and governments of major countries like the UK, USA, France, and Switzerland. However, after the Second World War, the scope of comparative politics expanded beyond formal institutions.
- According to Edward Freeman, comparative politics is “the comparative study of political institutions and political systems.”
- According to Almond and Powell, comparative politics is the study of political systems in terms of their structures and functions.
Thus, modern comparative politics focuses on:
- Political institutions
- Political behaviour
- Political culture
- Political processes
- Developing and developed countries
Structural–Functional Approach
The Structural–Functional Approach is one of the most important modern approaches in comparative politics. It was mainly developed by Gabriel Almond, Bingham Powell, and David Easton.
This approach is borrowed from sociology and anthropology and is based on the idea that every political system has certain structures that perform specific functions necessary for the survival of the system.
Meaning of Structure and Function
Structure refers to the formal and informal institutions of a political system such as legislature, executive, judiciary, political parties, pressure groups, and bureaucracy.
Function refers to the activities performed by these structures in the political system.
Unlike traditional approaches, this approach does not focus only on Western democracies; it can be applied to all political systems, including developing and authoritarian systems.
Functions of a Political System (According to Almond)
Almond divided political functions into two categories:
1. Input Functions
These are related to how demands enter the political system:
- Political Socialization and Recruitment
- Interest Articulation
- Interest Aggregation
- Political Communication
2. Output Functions
These are related to how decisions are made and implemented:
- Rule-making (Legislature)
- Rule-application (Executive)
- Rule-adjudication (Judiciary)
Importance of the Structural–Functional Approach
- It provides a scientific and systematic method of comparison.
- It helps in studying both developed and developing countries.
- It emphasizes political processes and behaviour, not just institutions.
- It contributes to theory-building in comparative politics.
Criticism
- It is often criticized for being too abstract.
- It sometimes ignores power relations and conflicts.
- Marxist scholars argue that it supports the status quo and stability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, comparative politics is a dynamic and expanding field of political science. The structural–functional approach revolutionized comparative politics by providing a comprehensive framework to study political systems across the world. Despite criticisms, it remains a powerful tool for understanding political structures and functions in a comparative perspective.
Q2. Discuss the Scope of Comparative Politics
Introduction
The scope of comparative politics refers to the range and subject matter it covers. With the development of new approaches and methodologies, the scope of comparative politics has widened significantly. It is no longer limited to the study of Western political institutions.
Traditional Scope of Comparative Politics
Traditionally, comparative politics focused on:
- Constitutions and legal frameworks
- Formal institutions such as legislature, executive, and judiciary
- Comparison of a few selected countries (mainly Europe and the USA)
This approach was narrow and descriptive.
Modern Scope of Comparative Politics
Modern comparative politics has a much broader scope. It includes the following areas:
1. Study of Political Systems
Comparative politics studies different types of political systems such as:
- Democratic systems
- Authoritarian systems
- Totalitarian systems
- Socialist and communist systems
2. Study of Political Institutions
It compares institutions like:
- Legislature
- Executive
- Judiciary
- Bureaucracy across different countries.
3. Study of Political Behaviour
It includes the study of:
- Voting behaviour
- Political participation
- Leadership
- Public opinion
4. Study of Political Culture
Political culture refers to the attitudes, beliefs, and values of people towards politics. Comparative politics examines how political culture influences political systems.
5. Study of Political Development
Comparative politics analyses issues such as:
- Nation-building
- State-building
- Modernization
- Democratization
- Political stability
6. Study of Interest Groups and Political Parties
It compares:
- Party systems
- Role of pressure groups
- Interest articulation and aggregation
7. Study of Public Policy
Comparative analysis of public policies helps understand how different governments respond to social and economic problems.
Importance of Comparative Politics
- Helps in understanding other political systems.
- Assists in theory-building.
- Useful for policy-making.
- Promotes global political understanding.
Conclusion
To conclude, the scope of comparative politics has expanded enormously in the modern period. It now covers political institutions, processes, behaviour, culture, and development across the world. This wide scope makes comparative politics one of the most important and relevant areas of political science today.