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Write on the Systems Approach in about 150 words. (10 Marks). UPSC MAINS 2022
David Easton, Gabriel Almond, G C Powell, Morton Kaplan, Karl Deutsch and other behaviouralists were the pioneers to adopt the Systems Theory for analyzing political phenomena and developing theories in Political Science during late 1950s and 1960s. In general, a system involves the idea of a group of objects or elements standing in some characteristic structural relationship to one another and interacting on the basis of certain characteristic processes.
According to the systems analysis the functioning of a political system suggests that what is happening in the environment affects the political system through the kinds of inputs 5 (demands and support) or influences that flow into the system. Through its structures and processes (conversion process) the system then acts on these intakes in such a way that they are converted into outputs. These are the authoritative decisions and their implementation.
The outputs return to the systems in the environment, or, in many cases, they may return directly to the system itself through the feedback-loop. In its elemental form a political system is just a means whereby certain kinds of inputs are converted into outputs. Outputs are the central contribution of a political system to the forces that help it cope with the various stresses originating from its environment.
Persistence of a political system, its capacity to continue the production of authoritative outputs, depends upon keeping the conversion process operating. The systems analysis of political life seeks to unravel the processes through which a political system is able to cope with the various stresses imposed upon it. And according to this analysis the political system is a goal-setting, goal-modifying, and self-transforming system.
Criticisms
• It is a very complicated and abstract theory.
• No explanation for the processes of social change given.
• Instances of socio-economic and political crises are overlooked.
• Its outlook is conservative and status quo seeking.
• No recognition of the possibility of heterogeneity or diversity in political systems.
However the systems analysis is considered as a path-breaking an trend setting attempt towards building universally applicable general theories for analyzing and interpreting political life, thus unveiling new horizons in the study of Political Science.
POSTED ON 27-04-2023 BY ADMIN
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