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Political Systems

Definition

Political systems refer to structures, institutions, and processes through which a government functions. They determine how power is distributed, decisions are made, and resources are allocated within a society.

Analogy

Think of a political system as the operating system on your smartphone. It sets the rules for how different apps (government branches) interact with each other and ensures that everything runs smoothly.

Related terms

Democracy: Democracy refers to a political system where power lies with the people who elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Authoritarianism: Authoritarianism is a political system in which power is concentrated in one or few individuals or groups who exercise strict control over society.

Federalism: Federalism is a political system where power is divided between a central government and regional governments, allowing both levels of government to have authority over certain matters.