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VILLANCA REFLECTION 2 An Approach To The Analysis of Political Systems

1) David Easton was one of the first to analyze politics from a systems perspective in his work "Political System". He presented a model of the relationship between inputs, the political system, and outputs. 2) Easton stated that people engage in political activity and political systems emerge because individuals cannot be fully satisfied and demands exceed what is available due to scarcity. 3) Easton also argued that for a political system to continue operating, members must be willing to support peaceful processes for addressing differences and making decisions. Without support and participation, a government relying solely on force cannot survive long term.

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57 views2 pages

VILLANCA REFLECTION 2 An Approach To The Analysis of Political Systems

1) David Easton was one of the first to analyze politics from a systems perspective in his work "Political System". He presented a model of the relationship between inputs, the political system, and outputs. 2) Easton stated that people engage in political activity and political systems emerge because individuals cannot be fully satisfied and demands exceed what is available due to scarcity. 3) Easton also argued that for a political system to continue operating, members must be willing to support peaceful processes for addressing differences and making decisions. Without support and participation, a government relying solely on force cannot survive long term.

Uploaded by

Abby Lawas
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Villanca, Era M.

MAEd – Social Studies

Republic of the Philippines


Cebu Normal University
Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City, 6000 Philippines

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION


GRADUATE STUDIES
Center of Excellence (COE)
Level IV Accredited (AACUP)
Tel. No. 2118044
Website: www.cnu.edu.ph

Reaction Paper #2 – An Approach to the Analysis of Political Systems

David Easton was the first to think to analysing politics from the point of view
of system analysis in his work Political System. In the article, he talks about a
general empirically oriented theory as the most economical way to understand
and analyse political life. In his article, he presented a model of the relationship
between inputs, political system and outputs. Easton stated plenty of important
points to ponder.

The first point is that people or groups make demands in the society
because they cannot be fully satisfied that is why they engage in political activity
and why political system emerges in a society. I agree to this statement. People
cannot always have everything they want. This is because of a one fact that
prevails with regard to most of the valued things that Easton highlighted is the
concept of scarcity. For there to be scarcity things must be limited and wanted.
This is why the level of demands rise because goods and services are scarce.
These are the things that we want. Goods are tangible things that satisfy our wants
and services are intangible things that satisfy our wants. For example, a man
commutes to and fro his work every day. Tired from all the busy roads, he
purchases a Sedan but then realizes he could have brought a bigger car like a
Minivan for more convenience. However, no matter what type of car he drives,
he still cannot escape the heavy traffic and then soon joins the demands of other
drivers to the administration for wider roads, better traffic policies and other
demands. People tend to engage in political activity because they couldn’t get
what they want or cannot be fully satisfied with what they have.

In the article, Easton stated, “No political system can continue to operate
unless its members are willing to support the existence of a group that seeks to
settle differences or promote decisions through peaceful action in common.” I
agree to this second point. In a political community, the growth of national unity
should not be overlooked. The members of the community should contribute to
the collective and pacific settlement of the varying demands present in the
system. In our previous meeting, it was emphasized that an administration can
Villanca, Era M. MAEd – Social Studies

either exert coercion or use the power of persuasion in influencing the will of the
people to participate in political activities and processes. Easton further stated
that a government can evoke support through persuasion, consent,
manipulation, or threat. He added that a government based only on force
cannot survive for a long time. People’s support can only be gained if a
favourable state of mind through fair means is used by the government. Every
member of the political community must identify one another as part of the
system and hereby work together to achieve common goals through peaceful
action.

It has always been emphasized in Sociology books that culture is passed on


to us by our parents, peers, teachers and physical symbols like flags and rituals.
According to Easton, the passing of the goals and norms to others is no different.
That is why I agree to his point when he said that this process tend to be repetitive
in all societies. I believe that individuals become more involved in the community
and more aware of opportunities and what they can hope for themselves once
they realize their roles in achieving common goals and norms. Easton added that
the members of a system acquire knowledge about their political roles and a
desire to perform them because they learn what is expected of them in political
life and how they ought to do what is expected of them. For example, people
are taught that practicing the right to suffrage is very important. We vote during
elections because it is what we are expected to do so in order to achieve what
we believe are the common goals through choosing the administration to lead
us in achieving it.

Easton’s model may not be accurate. As he said, “There is no royal road


that can be said to be either the correct or the best.” A general theory in studying
political life like Easton’s Model of System Analysis is essential and is a fruitful
approach in analysing political systems. In conclusion, the balance between
input and output in the political system is very important in maintaining a cyclic
and continuous process.

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