The Analysis Of Political Structure

By applying a method formed by recent theories of structuralism to the field of political science, the author shows that it is the organization of political systems as whole entities which fundamentally shape the form regimes take.

Published in 1998, The Analysis of Political Systems is a valuable contribution to the field of Sociology & Social Policy.

"A framework for political analysis by David Easton develops a method for analyzing the basic processes by which political systems, regardless of generic or specific types, seek to adapt and prevail as systems of behavior in a world of either stability or change. It establishes an organized system of concepts which not only forms an introduction to a behavioral theory of politics, but offers a framework for what can be termed a systems analysis of political life. It represents the first comprehensive statement of a formal framework interpreting politics as a system of social behavior, and as such, offers much valuable material for empirical investigators and theoreticians in the social and political fields. Beginning with an identification of the assumptions from which politics are defined as a system of behavior, this work then proceeds to develop a structure of concepts. Focusing largely on the dynamic aspects of systems, the author examines the kinds of processes characteristic of political systems. He organizes a consistent structure of concepts to fit the kind of system that political life constitutes. This work offers a clear pathway to a general theory of political life, a manner of analysis for understanding the behavior of all kinds of political systems: small or large, developing or traditional, modern or primitive, industrial or agrarian, democratic or totalitarian. It provides a set of categories for research and analysis that can be effectively used by anyone concerned with the study of politics, regardless of specific field - whether public administration, political science, sociology, or anthropology - and as such, forms a contribution of inestimable value to the study of political life" -- Dust jacket.

Political Analysis provides an accessible and engaging yet original introduction and distinctive contribution, to the analysis of political structures, institutions, ideas and behaviours, and above all, to the political processes through which they are constantly made and remade. Following an innovative introduction to the main approaches and concepts in political analysis, the text focuses thematically on the key issues which currently concern and divide political analysts, including the boundaries of the political; the question of structure, agency and power; the dynamics of political change; the relative significance of ideas and material factors; and the challenge posed by postmodernism which the author argues the discipline can strengthen itself by addressing without allowing it to become a recipe for paralysis.

Excerpt from Analysis of Political Systems Two recent writers in particular have shown me the way towards the type of political analysis which this book favours. The late Mr. T. D. Weldon, especially in his The Vocabulary of Politics, exposed the vagueness of terminology in much theorizing about politics. Professor Maurice Duverger in his Political Parties has shown that the study of political institutions can be analytical as well as descriptive. I should like to thank Professor Edvard Thermaenius of Stockholm for explaining to me that British Cabinet Government is not synonymous with what the Swedes call parliamentarism. I owe a special debt of gratitude to the Commonwealth Fund, New York, for enabling me to study the American type of presidential government at first hand and for introducing me to the interesting work being done in the United States in the field of political behaviour. Several British colleagues were kind enough to give me their comments on portions of the manuscript and numerous students helped me to work out my ideas in lectures and seminars. To all of them, and to Miss Rita Turner who typed out the manuscript, I proffer my thanks. I am especially grateful to Professors Wilfrid Harrison of the University of Liverpool and Manning J. Dauer of the University of Florida for their wise criticisms and helpful advice; and to my wife, Diana, for always insisting that I try to make my meaning as clear as possible. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.