The concept of a political system arose in political science as early as the middle of the 20th century and implies a comprehensive set of institutional bodies and legal norms that determine the life of society. First of all, of course, in the political sphere (except for it there is a cultural, social and economic), that is
the relationship between the government and the people, the transfer of power, their exercise and so on. At the same time, the types of political systems of society were identified, each of which had characteristic features in the exercise of power. Diverse states and countries have traveled completely unique historical paths. It is not surprising that the specific experience of societies in different parts of the planet gave them completely different types of political system. So, for example, democracy could not have arisen in the bowels of eastern tyranny and became the logical result of the development of capitalism.
Politic system. Concept and types
Modern political scientists distinguish three main types that exist in the world today.
Types of Political System: Democracy
The basis of this system is the principle of collective decisions. Once she was born in antique Greek polis and was characterized by the assembly of all the citizens of the city
(eklessiya) for making important decisions, as well as for the election of the council of archons - a kind of governing body. However, today, states are usually very large-scale for such a simple unified meeting. Nevertheless, the basic principles of democracy have survived. Moreover, it developed through the experience of state-building and the theoretical works of thinkers of the New and Modern times. The modern democratic system presupposes the mandatory separation of branches of government in order to avoid usurpation, the regular re-election of each of these branches and government posts, the equality of all before the law, regardless of property and official position. The main thing in this concept is that people are recognized as the supreme bearer of power, while any government body is only its servant. This implies the right of the masses to retaliate in the event that the government leaves the law.
Types of Political System: Authoritarianism
Despite the mechanisms in democratic systems of protection against usurpation of power, the latter sometimes happens. It may be, for example, the result of a military coup, or it may not be the result of democracy at all, having formed in the state in place of archaic forms (for example, a monarchy that has retained its position to this day). Authoritarianism is characterized by the concentration of all government powers in the hands of one person or group of like-minded people. Often it is accompanied by a violation of human and civil rights, the absence of real opposition in the country, and so on.
Types of Political System: Totalitarianism
At first glance, this system is very similar to authoritarianism. However, if he is held by the power of military bayonets and the suppression of political freedoms, then totalitarianism is distinguished by the deepest control over the social and spiritual life of society. A person here from an early age through various state organizations is brought up in the belief that this power and this path are the only true ones. Therefore, paradoxically, often totalitarian systems are characterized by greater legitimacy than authoritarian ones.
