essay on political system

American Political System

Exploring the american political system, institutions, processes, and challenges, introduction.

The American political system is a complex and multifaceted structure that plays a crucial role in shaping the nation’s governance and policies. Understanding this system is of paramount importance as it directly impacts the lives of every American citizen and influences global politics. This essay aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the American political system, delving into its historical foundations, institutional components, electoral processes, contemporary challenges, and potential reforms.

Historical Foundations

The roots of the American political system can be traced back to its colonial and revolutionary past. The early American colonists, heavily influenced by Enlightenment ideas, sought to establish a system that would protect their rights and provide a framework for self-governance.

The development of the United States Constitution in 1787 was a pivotal moment in American history. It laid the groundwork for the federal government and established the principles of separation of powers and federalism . The Constitution’s creation was not without controversy, leading to a spirited debate captured in the Federalist Papers, authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

During this period, early political parties, such as the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, began to emerge, reflecting differing ideologies and visions for the new nation. These parties played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the United States.

The Three Branches of Government

The American political system is characterized by its tripartite structure, consisting of three co-equal branches of government: the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Each branch has distinct roles and responsibilities, ensuring a system of checks and balances that prevent any one branch from accumulating too much power.

The Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is headed by the President of the United States, who serves as both the head of state and the head of government. The President’s powers and duties include the execution of laws, foreign policy decisions, and the appointment of key government officials. Executive agencies and departments, such as the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services, carry out various government functions under the President’s direction. This branch plays a crucial role in shaping domestic and international policies.

The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch, also known as Congress, is responsible for making and passing laws. It consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Members of the House of Representatives, known as Representatives, are elected based on population, while each state has two Senators. The legislative process involves the introduction, debate, and voting on bills, which, once approved by both chambers, become law. Committees within Congress play a vital role in examining and refining proposed legislation, and party dynamics influence the legislative agenda. Additionally, the power of impeachment, as outlined in the Constitution, gives Congress the authority to remove high-ranking government officials.

The Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch is responsible for interpreting and applying the law. The federal court system, with the Supreme Court at its apex, ensures the rule of law is upheld throughout the nation. The Supreme Court, comprised of nine justices, holds the final authority in legal matters and has the power of judicial review, enabling it to declare laws unconstitutional. Landmark Supreme Court cases, such as Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade, have had a profound impact on American society and civil rights. The judicial branch’s role in safeguarding the Constitution and individual rights cannot be overstated.

The Electoral Process

The American electoral process is a cornerstone of the democratic system, providing citizens with the opportunity to choose their representatives and leaders. This section delves into the intricacies of elections, political parties, and the unique features that define American democracy.

Elections and Political Parties

At the heart of the electoral process are elections themselves, which serve as the mechanism through which citizens express their preferences. The United States has a two-party system dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. These parties play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape, with candidates from each party competing in various elections, from local offices to the presidency.

Primary elections and caucuses are key components of the American electoral process. These events determine each party’s nominee for major elections. They allow party members to participate in the selection of candidates who will represent their party in the general election.

Voter Participation and Demographics

Voter participation is a crucial aspect of any democracy. However, voter turnout in the United States varies across elections and demographics. Factors such as voter registration processes, election timing, and political engagement influence turnout rates.

Demographics also play a significant role in shaping elections. Understanding the demographics of voters and their voting behavior is essential for political campaigns and parties. Factors like age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status can impact voting choices and influence election outcomes.

Gerrymandering and Its Effects

Gerrymandering is a practice that involves manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or group over another. This practice can distort the representation of citizens and undermine the principle of fair representation. Gerrymandering has been a contentious issue in American politics, with ongoing debates about how to address it and ensure fair and competitive elections.

Interest Groups and Political Movements

Interest groups and political movements are essential components of the American political system, serving as vehicles for citizens to voice their concerns, advocate for specific policies, and influence government decisions. This section explores the role of interest groups, lobbying efforts, grassroots movements, and the impact of money in politics.

Role and Influence of Interest Groups

Interest groups, often organized around specific issues or industries, seek to advance their agendas by influencing government policies and decisions. These groups can represent a wide range of interests, including labor unions, environmental organizations, and business associations. Their activities include lobbying, advocacy, and mobilizing their members to support or oppose legislation.

Lobbying and Advocacy

Lobbying is a common practice in American politics, where interest groups and their representatives engage with elected officials to persuade them to support their positions. Lobbyists use various strategies, including providing information, campaign contributions, and building relationships with lawmakers. While lobbying is a legitimate means of influencing the political process, concerns about the influence of money in politics and potential conflicts of interest have led to ongoing debates and calls for transparency and accountability.

Grassroots Movements and Their Impact

Grassroots movements are social and political movements driven by individuals and communities rather than established organizations. They often emerge in response to specific issues or perceived injustices. These movements have played a significant role in American history, from the civil rights movement of the 1960s to contemporary movements like Black Lives Matter and climate activism. Grassroots movements rely on public support, protests, and advocacy to bring about change and influence government policies.

Money in Politics and Campaign Finance

Money plays a central role in American politics, funding election campaigns, and shaping political discourse. Campaign finance laws and regulations govern the flow of money into elections and political activities. Super PACs, dark money contributions, and the Citizens United Supreme Court decision have raised questions about transparency, the influence of wealthy donors, and the potential for corruption in the political system. Reform efforts seek to address these concerns and ensure that the political process remains fair and accessible to all citizens.

Contemporary Challenges

The American political system faces a multitude of contemporary challenges that test its resilience and adaptability in an ever-changing world. This section explores some of the pressing issues and concerns that confront the system in the 21st century.

Polarization and Political Gridlock

One of the most significant challenges facing the American political landscape is the increasing polarization of political parties and the resulting political gridlock. Deep ideological divisions between Democrats and Republicans have made it increasingly difficult to find common ground and pass essential legislation. This polarization often leads to legislative standoffs and undermines the ability of government institutions to address pressing issues.

The Role of Media in Shaping Public Opinion

The media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse. The rise of cable news, social media, and online news platforms has transformed the way information is disseminated and consumed. However, concerns about media bias, the spread of misinformation, and echo chambers that reinforce preexisting beliefs have raised questions about the media’s impact on political polarization and the quality of public discourse.

Issues of Representation and Minority Rights

Issues of representation and the protection of minority rights remain at the forefront of American politics. Questions about the fairness of electoral processes, voter suppression, and the representation of marginalized communities persist. Debates over voting rights, immigration policy, and civil rights continue to shape the political landscape and highlight the ongoing struggle for equal representation and justice.

The Impact of Globalization on American Politics

Globalization has significantly influenced American politics, with economic, cultural, and geopolitical forces reshaping the nation’s priorities and challenges. Trade agreements, international diplomacy, and global threats like climate change and pandemics require a coordinated and adaptive response. The American political system must navigate the complexities of a globalized world while balancing national interests and international responsibilities.

Future Prospects and Reform

As the American political system grapples with contemporary challenges, it also faces questions about its future prospects and the need for reform. This section examines potential paths forward and the possibilities for enhancing the system’s effectiveness and accountability.

Potential Reforms to Improve the Political System

Efforts to reform the American political system have been ongoing throughout its history. Various proposals have emerged to address issues such as campaign finance reform, gerrymandering, and the role of money in politics. Proponents of reform advocate for changes to make the political process more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of citizens.

The Role of Civic Education and Engagement

Civic education and engagement play a crucial role in the future of the American political system. Encouraging citizens to become informed and active participants in the political process can help strengthen democracy. Civics education in schools, initiatives to increase voter participation, and programs that promote civic literacy all contribute to a more engaged and informed electorate.

Speculation on the Future of American Politics

Speculating about the future of American politics is a complex endeavor. Predicting how the system will evolve in response to changing demographics, technological advancements, and global challenges is a subject of ongoing debate. Some foresee a more inclusive and responsive political system, while others express concerns about further polarization and division. The future of American politics is shaped by the choices and actions of its citizens and leaders.

In conclusion, the American political system is a dynamic and intricate framework that has evolved over centuries, shaped by historical events, ideologies, and the efforts of countless individuals. It serves as a model for democratic governance globally, but it also faces significant challenges in the modern era.

From its historical foundations, with the creation of the Constitution and the birth of political parties, to the contemporary challenges of polarization, media influence, and minority rights, the American political system has demonstrated both resilience and adaptability. It continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s policies and direction.

While the system faces challenges such as political gridlock and the impact of globalization, there is hope for its future. Potential reforms, increased civic education and engagement, and ongoing efforts to address issues of representation and equality all offer paths forward. The future of American politics will ultimately depend on the collective will and actions of its citizens.

1. Madison, James, et al. “The Federalist Papers.” Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/federalist.html.

2. United States Constitution. National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution.

3. Katznelson, Ira. “Fear Itself: The New Deal and the Origins of Our Time.” Liveright Publishing, 2014.

4. Smith, Adam. “The Wealth of Nations.” Penguin Classics, 1982.

5. Ginsburg, Tom, and Elkins, Zachary. “The American System of Government: Politics and Government in the United States.” Yale University Press, 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions about The American Political System

The American Political System is the framework of government and political processes that operate in the United States. It is characterized by its democratic principles and separation of powers among three branches: the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. The system is guided by the United States Constitution, which establishes the rules and principles governing the nation’s governance. It includes processes for electing representatives, making and enforcing laws, and resolving disputes. The American political system also incorporates the role of political parties, interest groups, and grassroots movements in shaping public policy.

The American Political System is built on several fundamental principles:

Democracy : The system is rooted in the idea that the power to govern is derived from the consent of the governed. Citizens have the right to participate in the political process through elections and civic engagement.

Separation of Powers : The system divides government authority among three branches, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful. This separation, as outlined in the Constitution, is designed to prevent abuses of power.

Checks and Balances : Each branch has the ability to check the actions of the other two, preventing any one branch from dominating the others. This system of checks and balances promotes accountability and oversight.

Federalism : The American system features both a federal government and state governments, with powers divided between them. States have their own governments and jurisdictions, while the federal government handles national and international matters.

Presidents in the United States are elected through a complex process. First, political parties hold primary elections and caucuses in each state to choose their candidates. The winners become the official nominees of their respective parties. Then, a general election is held on the first Tuesday in November, where citizens cast their votes for president.

However, the U.S. does not directly elect the president through popular vote. Instead, the Electoral College system is used. Each state has a set number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress (the number of senators and representatives combined). When citizens vote in the general election, they are technically voting for a slate of electors chosen by their state’s political parties.

These electors then meet in their respective state capitals in December to cast their votes for president. To win the presidency, a candidate must secure a majority of the electoral votes, which is currently 270 out of 538. In some cases, this system can lead to a candidate winning the electoral vote while losing the popular vote, as seen in several U.S. presidential elections.

Check out our in-depth piece on  the US Presidency.

Political parties are central to the American Political System and serve as crucial intermediaries between citizens and government. They play several key roles:

Candidate Nomination : Political parties select and endorse candidates to run for public office, including the presidency, through primary elections and caucuses.

Policy Formulation : Parties develop and promote policy platforms that reflect their ideologies and priorities. This helps voters understand the positions and values of the candidates they support.

Mobilizing Voters : Parties engage in voter outreach, registration, and mobilization efforts to encourage citizens to participate in elections.

Representation : Elected officials from the same party often work together to advance their party’s agenda in government, promoting party unity and cooperation.

Opposition : Parties that are not in power play the role of the opposition, providing checks and balances by scrutinizing and challenging the policies and actions of the party in power.

Shaping Public Opinion : Parties, along with the media, contribute to shaping public opinion by framing political debates and issues.

Political parties are a fundamental part of the American political landscape and help organize and structure the political process in the country.

Check out our in-depth piece on  Political Parties .

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land and plays a pivotal role in interpreting the Constitution and shaping American jurisprudence. Its primary functions include:

Judicial Review : The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review, allowing it to examine laws and government actions to determine their constitutionality. This means the Court can strike down laws that it deems unconstitutional, shaping the legal landscape for the entire nation.

Interpreting the Constitution : The Court interprets the Constitution, settling disputes over its meaning and application. Landmark decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade, have had profound impacts on civil rights and social policy.

Resolving Disputes : The Court hears cases involving conflicts between states, federal vs. state laws, and disagreements between branches of government. Its decisions provide legal clarity and finality to these disputes.

Setting Legal Precedent : Supreme Court decisions become legal precedent, guiding lower courts and future cases. This precedent influences how laws are applied and interpreted across the country.

Protecting Individual Rights : The Court plays a vital role in safeguarding individual rights and liberties. It has ruled on cases related to free speech, privacy, and due process, shaping the protection of civil rights in the United States.

Check out our in-depth review of the Supreme Court and the Judiciary of the US .

Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party over another. It can have significant impacts on the American political system:

Unfair Representation : Gerrymandering can lead to distorted representation, where the party in power redraws districts to secure more seats than their share of the popular vote would warrant, undermining the principle of fair representation.

Political Polarization : Gerrymandered districts often produce extreme partisan outcomes, as they are designed to be safe for one party. This can contribute to political polarization and discourage cooperation between parties.

Incumbent Protection : Gerrymandering can protect incumbents, making it difficult for challengers to unseat sitting politicians. This can reduce competition in elections and limit voters’ choices.

Undermining Trust : When voters perceive that their districts have been gerrymandered, it can erode trust in the electoral process and discourage civic engagement.

Efforts to address gerrymandering include calls for independent redistricting commissions and legal challenges to redraw district maps more fairly.

Voter participation in the United States faces several challenges:

Voter Registration : Complex voter registration processes and strict ID requirements can create barriers to voter participation, particularly for marginalized communities.

Voter Suppression : Efforts to restrict voting access, such as limiting early voting and closing polling places, disproportionately affect certain demographics and can discourage participation.

Disengagement : Apathy and disillusionment with the political process can lead to voter disengagement, where individuals feel that their vote won’t make a difference.

Gerrymandering : Gerrymandered districts can lead to uncompetitive elections, reducing the incentive for voters to participate when outcomes are predetermined.

Accessibility : Accessibility issues, such as inadequate accommodations for voters with disabilities, can hinder participation.

Efforts to improve voter participation include expanding access to early voting, implementing automatic voter registration, and promoting civic education.

Read more about  Elections and Campaigns in the US .

Issues of minority rights and representation have been central to the American political system’s development. Key aspects include:

Civil Rights Legislation : Historic legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to end racial discrimination and protect minority voting rights.

Affirmative Action : Affirmative action policies have been implemented to promote diversity and address historical discrimination in education and employment.

Voting Rights : Efforts have been made to protect minority voting rights, including the prevention of voter suppression and ensuring language assistance for non-English-speaking voters.

Representation : Minority communities have made strides in political representation, with increasing numbers of minority individuals serving in government at various levels.

Despite progress, challenges persist, and ongoing efforts are required to protect and expand minority rights and representation in the American political system.

The media plays a vital role in American politics by serving as a conduit of information between government, political actors, and the public. Its functions include:

Informing the Public : The media provides information about government actions, policies, and events, helping citizens stay informed about political developments.

Setting the Agenda : Media outlets can influence public discourse by highlighting specific issues or events, shaping the national agenda and political priorities.

Monitoring Government : Investigative journalism holds government officials accountable for their actions, exposing corruption and abuses of power.

Providing a Platform : The media offers a platform for political candidates and officials to communicate with the public, share their views, and engage in debates.

Framing Political Debates : Media outlets frame political debates by emphasizing certain aspects of an issue, influencing public perception and opinion.

Opinion Formation : Political commentators and analysts contribute to opinion formation, offering interpretations and insights on political matters.

However, concerns about media bias, misinformation, and the concentration of media ownership have raised questions about the media’s impact on the political process.

Make sure to check out our in-depth piece on Politics and the Media .

The American political system manages international relations through a combination of diplomatic, legislative, and executive actions:

Executive Branch : The President, as the nation’s chief diplomat, negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign governments. The State Department oversees diplomatic relations and embassies.

Congress : The Senate has the power to ratify treaties, while both chambers of Congress play a role in shaping foreign policy through legislation, budget approval, and oversight.

International Organizations : The United States is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO, participating in global diplomacy and security efforts.

Executive Orders : Presidents can use executive orders to implement foreign policy decisions, although these actions are subject to judicial and congressional review.

Military Power : The President, as Commander-in-Chief, can deploy military forces overseas, often requiring congressional approval for extended conflicts.

Trade and Economic Policy : Trade agreements and economic policies can have significant international implications, with Congress playing a key role in trade negotiations.

U.S. foreign policy reflects a balance of national interests, alliances, and global responsibilities.

Campaign finance and money in politics are complex issues addressed through a combination of legislation, regulations, and legal decisions:

Campaign Finance Laws : Federal and state campaign finance laws regulate the raising and spending of money in elections, including contribution limits and disclosure requirements.

Federal Election Commission (FEC) : The FEC enforces campaign finance laws at the federal level, overseeing campaign contributions, expenditures, and reporting.

Supreme Court Decisions : The Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision in 2010 and subsequent rulings have shaped campaign finance, allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited funds in elections.

Super PACs : Super Political Action Committees (PACs) can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose candidates, but they are prohibited from coordinating with candidates’ campaigns.

Public Financing : Some states and localities offer public financing options to reduce the influence of private money in elections.

Campaign finance reform remains a topic of debate, with calls for increased transparency, contribution limits, and public financing to reduce the influence of money in politics.

Interest groups and political movements influence government policy through a variety of strategies:

Lobbying : Interest groups hire lobbyists to advocate for their positions to lawmakers, providing information, conducting research, and proposing policy changes.

Advocacy Campaigns : Groups engage in advocacy campaigns to mobilize their members and the public, using grassroots efforts, social media, and advertising to promote their causes.

Campaign Contributions : Interest groups often make campaign contributions to candidates and parties to gain access and support for their policy agendas.

Litigation : Some groups use the legal system to challenge government actions or policies they oppose, leading to court decisions that can shape policy.

Public Opinion : Influencing public opinion through education and awareness campaigns can lead to increased support for specific policies, putting pressure on elected officials.

Direct Action : Political movements and advocacy groups may engage in protests, demonstrations, and civil disobedience to draw attention to their causes.

Interest groups and political movements play a vital role in the democratic process, representing diverse perspectives and ensuring that a wide range of voices is heard in policymaking.

Check out our in-depth piece of Political Interest Groups .

Essay on Politics: Topics, Tips, and Examples for Students

Defining What is Politics Essay

The process of decision-making that applies to members of a group or society is called politics. Arguably, political activities are the backbone of human society, and everything in our daily life is a form of it.

Understanding the essence of politics, reflecting on its internal elements, and critically analyzing them make society more politically aware and let them make more educated decisions. Constantly thinking and analyzing politics is critical for societal evolution.

Political thinkers often write academic papers that explore different political concepts, policies, and events. The essay about politics may examine a wide range of topics such as government systems, political ideologies, social justice, public policies, international relations, etc.

After selecting a specific research topic, a writer should conduct extensive research, gather relevant information, and prepare a logical and well-supported argument. The paper should be clear and organized, complying with academic language and standards. A writer should demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject, an ability to evaluate and remain non-biased to different viewpoints, and a capacity to draw conclusions.

Now that we are on the same page about the question 'what is politics essay' and understand its importance, let's take a deeper dive into how to build a compelling political essay, explore the most relevant political argumentative essay topics, and finally, examine the political essay examples written by the best essay writing service team.

Politics Essay Example for Students

If you are still unsure how to structure your essay or how to present your statement, don't worry. Our team of experts has prepared an excellent essay example for you. Feel free to explore and examine it. Use it to guide you through the writing process and help you understand what a successful essay looks like.

How to Write a Political Essay: Tips + Guide

A well-written essay is easy to read and digest. You probably remember reading papers full of big words and complex ideas that no one bothered to explain. We all agree that such essays are easily forgotten and not influential, even though they might contain a very important message.

If you are writing an essay on politics, acknowledge that you are on a critical mission to easily convey complicated concepts. Hence, what you are trying to say should be your main goal. Our guide on how to write a political essay will help you succeed.

Conduct Research for Your Politics Essay

After choosing a topic for the essay, take enough time for preparation. Even if you are familiar with the matter, conducting thorough research is wiser. Political issues are complex and multifaceted; comprehensive research will help you understand the topic better and offer a more nuanced analysis.

Research can help you identify different viewpoints and arguments around the topic, which can be beneficial for building more impartial and persuasive essays on politics. Sometimes in the hit of the moment, opposing sides are not able to see the common ground; your goal is to remain rational, speak to diverse audiences, and help them see the core of the problem and the ways to solve it.

In political papers, accuracy and credibility are vital. Researching the topic deeply will help you avoid factual errors or misrepresentations from any standpoint. It will allow you to gather reliable sources of information and create a trustworthy foundation for the entire paper.

If you want to stand out from the other students, get inspired by the list of hottest essay ideas and check out our political essay examples.

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Brainstorm Political Essay Topics

The next step to writing a compelling politics essay is to polish your thoughts and find the right angle to the chosen topic.

Before you start writing, generate fresh ideas and organize your thoughts. There are different techniques to systematize the mess going on in your head, such as freewriting, mind mapping, or even as simple as listing ideas. This will open the doors to new angles and approaches to the topic.

When writing an essay about politics, ensure the topic is not too general. It's always better to narrow it down. It will simplify your job and help the audience better understand the core of the problem. Brainstorming can help you identify key points and arguments, which you can use to find a specific angle on the topic.

Brainstorming can also help you detect informational gaps that must be covered before the writing process. Ultimately, the brainstorming phase can bring a lot more clarity and structure to your essay.

We know how exhausting it is to come up with comparative politics essay topics. Let our research paper writing service team do all the hard work for you.

Create Your Politics Essay Thesis Statement

Thesis statements, in general, serve as a starting point of the roadmap for the reader. A political essay thesis statement outlines the main ideas and arguments presented in the body paragraphs and creates a general sense of the content of the paper.

Creating a thesis statement for essays about politics in the initial stages of writing can help you stay focused and on track throughout the working process. You can use it as an aim and constantly check your arguments and evidence against it. The question is whether they are relevant and supportive of the statement.

Get creative when creating a statement. This is the first sentence readers will see, and it should be compelling and clear.

The following is a great example of a clear and persuasive thesis statement:

 'The lack of transparency and accountability has made the World Trade Organization one of the most controversial economic entities. Despite the influence, its effectiveness in promoting free trade and economic growth in developing countries has decreased.'

Provide Facts in Your Essay about Politic

It's a no-brainer that everything you will write in your essay should be supported by strong evidence. The credibility of your argument will be questioned every step of the way, especially when you are writing about sensitive subjects such as essays on government influence on economic troubles. 

Provide facts and use them as supporting evidence in your politics essay. They will help you establish credibility and accuracy and take your paper out of the realm of speculation and mere opinions.

Facts will make your essay on political parties more persuasive, unbiased, and targeted to larger audiences. Remember, the goal is to bring the light to the core of the issue and find a solution, not to bring people even farther apart.

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Structure Your Political Essay

Your main goal is to communicate your ideas to many people. To succeed, you need to write an essay that is easy to read and understand. Creating a structure will help you present your ideas logically and lead the readers in the right direction.

Sometimes when writing about political essay topics, we get carried away. These issues can be very emotional and sensitive, and writers are not protected from becoming victims of their own writings. Having a structure will keep you on track, only focusing on providing supported arguments and relevant information.

Start with introducing the thesis statement and provide background information. Followed by the body paragraphs and discuss all the relevant facts and standpoints. Finish it up with a comprehensive conclusion, and state the main points of your essay once again.

The structure will also save you time. In the beginning, creating an outline for essays on politics will give you a general idea of what should be written, and you can track your progress against it.

Revise and Proofread Your Final Politics Essay

Once every opinion is on the paper and every argument is well-constructed, one final step should be taken. Revision!

We know nothing is better than finishing the homework and quickly submitting it, but we aim for an A+. Our political essay must be reviewed. You need to check if there is any error such as grammatical, spelling, or contextual.

Take some time off, relax, and start proofreading after a few minutes or hours. Having a fresh mind will help you review not only grammar but also the arguments. Check if something is missing from your essays about politics, and if you find gaps, provide additional information.

You had to spend a lot of time on them, don't give up now. Make sure they are in perfect condition.

Effective Political Essay Topics

We would be happy if our guide on how to write political essays helped you, but we are not stopping there. Below you will find a list of advanced and relevant political essay topics. Whether you are interested in global political topics or political science essay topics, we got you covered.

Once you select a topic, don't forget to check out our politics essay example! It will bring even more clarity, and you will be all ready to start writing your own paper.

Political Argumentative Essay Topics

Now that we know how to write a political analysis essay let's explore political argumentative essay topics:

• Should a political party take a stance on food politics and support policies promoting sustainable food systems?
• Should we label Winston Churchill as the most influential political figure of World War II?
• Does the focus on GDP growth in the political economy hinder the human development index?
• Is foreign influence a threat to national security?
• Is foreign aid the best practice for political campaigning?
• Does the electoral college work for an ideal political system?
• Are social movements making a real difference, or are they politically active for temporary change?
• Can global politics effectively address political conflicts in the modern world?
• Are opposing political parties playing positive roles in US international relations?
• To what extent should political influence be allowed in addressing economic concerns?
• Can representative democracy prevent civil wars in ethnically diverse countries?
• Should nuclear weapons be abolished for the sake of global relations?
• Is economic development more important than ethical issues for Caribbean politics?
• What role should neighboring nations play in preventing human rights abuse in totalitarian regimes?
• Should political decisions guide the resolution of conflicts in the South China Sea?

Political Socialization Essay Topics

Knowing how to write a political issue essay is one thing, but have you explored our list of political socialization essay topics?

• To what extent does a political party or an influential political figure shape the beliefs of young people?
• Does political influence shape attitudes toward environmental politics?
• How can individuals use their own learning process to navigate political conflicts in a polarized society?
• How do political strategies shape cultural globalization?
• Is gender bias used as a political instrument in political socialization?
• How can paying attention to rural communities improve political engagement?
• What is the role of Amnesty International in preventing the death penalty?
• What is the role of politically involved citizens in shaping minimum wage policies?
• How does a political party shape attitudes toward global warming?
• How does the federal system influence urban planning and attitudes toward urban development?
• What is the role of public opinion in shaping foreign policy, and how does it affect political decision making
• Did other countries' experiences affect policies on restricting immigration in the US?
• How can note-taking skills and practice tests improve political engagement? 
• How do the cultural values of an independent country shape the attitudes toward national security?
• Does public opinion influence international intervention in helping countries reconcile after conflicts?

Political Science Essay Topics

If you are searching for political science essay topics, check our list below and write the most compelling essay about politic:

• Is environmental education a powerful political instrument? 
• Can anarchist societies provide a viable alternative to traditional forms of governance?
• Pros and cons of deterrence theory in contemporary international relations
• Comparing the impact of the French Revolution and World War II on the political landscape of Europe
• The role of the ruling political party in shaping national policies on nuclear weapons
• Exploring the roots of where politics originate
• The impact of civil wars on the processes of democratization of the third-world countries
• The role of international organizations in promoting global health
• Does using the death penalty in the justice system affect international relations?
• Assessing the role of the World Trade Organization in shaping global trade policies
• The political and environmental implications of conventional agriculture
• The impact of the international court on political decision making
• Is philosophical anarchism relevant to contemporary political discourse?
• The emergence of global citizenship and its relationship with social movements
• The impact of other countries on international relations between the US and China

Final Words

See? Writing an essay about politic seems like a super challenging job, but in reality, all it takes is excellent guidance, a well-structured outline, and an eye for credible information.

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Annie Lambert

specializes in creating authoritative content on marketing, business, and finance, with a versatile ability to handle any essay type and dissertations. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a passion for social issues, her writing not only educates but also inspires action. On EssayPro blog, Annie delivers detailed guides and thought-provoking discussions on pressing economic and social topics. When not writing, she’s a guest speaker at various business seminars.

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25 Essay Topics for American Government Classes

Writing Ideas That Will Make Students Think

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If you are a teacher searching for essay topics to assign to your U.S. government or civics class or looking for ideas, do not fret. It is easy to integrate debates and discussions into the classroom environment. These topic suggestions provide a wealth of ideas for written assignments such as  position papers , compare-and-contrast essays , and  argumentative essays . Scan the following 25 question topics and ideas to find just the right one. You'll soon be reading interesting papers from your students after they grapple with these challenging and important issues.

• Compare and contrast what is a direct democracy versus representative democracy. 
• React to the following statement: Democratic decision-making should be extended to all areas of life including schools, the workplace, and the government. 
• Compare and contrast the Virginia and New Jersey plans. Explain how these led to the Great Compromise .
• Pick one thing about the U.S. Constitution including its amendments that you think should be changed. What modifications would you make? Explain your reasons for making this change.
• What did Thomas Jefferson mean when he said, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants?" Do you think that this statement still applies to today's world? 
• Compare and contrast mandates and conditions of aid regarding the federal government's relationship with states. For example, how has the Federal Emergency Management Agency delivered support to states and commonwealths that have experienced natural disasters?
• Should individual states have more or less power compared to the federal government when implementing laws dealing with topics such as the legalization of marijuana  and abortion ? 
• Outline a program that would get more people to vote in presidential elections or local elections.
• What are the dangers of gerrymandering when it comes to voting and presidential elections?
• Compare and contrast the major political parties in the United States. What policies are they preparing for upcoming elections?
• Why would voters choose to vote for a third party, even though they know that their candidate has virtually no chance of winning? 
• Describe the major sources of money that are donated to political campaigns. Check out the Federal Election Regulatory Commission's website for information.
• Should corporations be treated as individuals regarding being allowed to donate to political campaigns?  Look at the 2010 Citizens United v. FEC ruling on the issue. Defend your answer. 
• Explain the role of social media in connecting interest groups that have grown stronger as the major political parties have grown weaker. 
• Explain why the media has been called the fourth branch of government. Include your opinion on whether this is an accurate portrayal.
• Compare and contrast the campaigns of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives candidates.
• Should term limits be instituted for members of Congress? Explain your answer.
• Should members of Congress vote their conscience or follow the will of the people who elected them into office? Explain your answer.
• Explain how executive orders have been used by presidents throughout the history of the U.S. What is the number of executive orders issued by the current president?
• In your opinion, which of the three branches of the federal government has the most power? Defend your answer.
• Which of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment do you consider the most important? Explain your answer. 
• Should a school be required to get a warrant before searching a student's property? Defend your answer. 
• Why did the Equal Rights Amendment fail? What kind of campaign could be run to see it passed?
• Explain how the 14th Amendment has affected civil liberties in the United States from the time of its passage at the end of the Civil War.
• Do you think that the federal government has enough, too much or just the right amount of power? Defend your answer.
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Fundamental questions

• Prehistoric forms of democracy
• Classical Greece
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• “Constitutional oligarchies”
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• Actual democracies
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• Authoritarian threats
• Technological developments

What is democracy?

Where was democracy first practiced, how is democracy better than other forms of government, why does democracy need education.

• Why is Pericles important?

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• Social Science LibreTexts - Democracies and Democratization
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• PBS LearningMedia - The Birth of Democracy | The Greeks
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• Table Of Contents

Democracy is a system of government in which laws, policies, leadership, and major undertakings of a state or other polity are directly or indirectly decided by the “people,” a group historically constituted by only a minority of the population (e.g., all free adult males in ancient Athens or all sufficiently propertied adult males in 19th-century Britain) but generally understood since the mid-20th century to include all (or nearly all) adult citizens.

Studies of contemporary nonliterate tribal societies and other evidence suggest that democracy, broadly speaking, was practiced within tribes of hunter-gatherers in prehistoric times. The transition to settled agricultural communities led to inequalities of wealth and power between and within communities and hierarchical nondemocratic forms of social organization. Thousands of years later, in the 6th century BCE, a relatively democratic form of government was introduced in the city-state of Athens by Cleisthenes .

States with democratic governments prevent rule by autocrats, guarantee fundamental individual rights, allow for a relatively high level of political equality, and rarely make war on each other. As compared with nondemocratic states, they also better foster human development as measured by indicators such as health and education , provide more prosperity for their citizens, and ensure a broader range of personal freedoms.

The hallmark of democracy is that it permits citizens to participate in making laws and public policies by regularly choosing their leaders and by voting in assemblies or referenda . If their participation is to be meaningful and effective—if the democracy is to be real and not a sham—citizens must understand their own interests, know the relevant facts, and have the ability to critically evaluate political arguments. Each of those things presupposes education .

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democracy , literally, rule by the people. The term is derived from the Greek dēmokratia , which was coined from dēmos (“people”) and kratos (“rule”) in the middle of the 5th century bce to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states , notably Athens .

(Read Madeleine Albright’s Britannica essay on democracy.)

The etymological origins of the term democracy hint at a number of urgent problems that go far beyond semantic issues. If a government of or by the people—a “popular” government—is to be established, at least five fundamental questions must be confronted at the outset, and two more are almost certain to be posed if the democracy continues to exist for long.

(1) What is the appropriate unit or association within which a democratic government should be established? A town or city? A country? A business corporation ? A university? An international organization ? All of these?

(2) Given an appropriate association—a city, for example—who among its members should enjoy full citizenship? Which persons, in other words, should constitute the dēmos ? Is every member of the association entitled to participate in governing it? Assuming that children should not be allowed to participate (as most adults would agree), should the dēmos include all adults? If it includes only a subset of the adult population, how small can the subset be before the association ceases to be a democracy and becomes something else, such as an aristocracy (government by the best, aristos ) or an oligarchy (government by the few, oligos )?

(3) Assuming a proper association and a proper dēmos , how are citizens to govern? What political organizations or institutions will they need? Will these institutions differ between different kinds of associations—for example, a small town and a large country?

(4) When citizens are divided on an issue, as they often will be, whose views should prevail, and in what circumstances? Should a majority always prevail, or should minorities sometimes be empowered to block or overcome majority rule?

(5) If a majority is ordinarily to prevail, what is to constitute a proper majority? A majority of all citizens? A majority of voters? Should a proper majority comprise not individual citizens but certain groups or associations of citizens, such as hereditary groups or territorial associations?

(6) The preceding questions presuppose an adequate answer to a sixth and even more important question: Why should “the people” rule? Is democracy really better than aristocracy or monarchy ? Perhaps, as Plato argues in the Republic , the best government would be led by a minority of the most highly qualified persons—an aristocracy of “ philosopher-kings .” What reasons could be given to show that Plato’s view is wrong?

(7) No association could maintain a democratic government for very long if a majority of the dēmos —or a majority of the government—believed that some other form of government were better. Thus, a minimum condition for the continued existence of a democracy is that a substantial proportion of both the dēmos and the leadership believes that popular government is better than any feasible alternative . What conditions, in addition to this one, favour the continued existence of democracy? What conditions are harmful to it? Why have some democracies managed to endure, even through periods of severe crisis, while so many others have collapsed?

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Americans’ Dismal Views of the Nation’s Politics

1. the biggest problems and greatest strengths of the u.s. political system, table of contents.

• The impact of partisan polarization
• Persistent concerns over money in politics
• Views of the parties and possible changes to the two-party system
• Other important findings
• Explore chapters of this report
• In their own words: Americans on the political system’s biggest problems
• In their own words: Americans on the political system’s biggest strengths
• Are there clear solutions to the nation’s problems?
• Evaluations of the political system
• Trust in the federal government
• Feelings toward the federal government
• The relationship between the federal and state governments
• Americans’ ratings of their House member, governor and local officials
• Party favorability ratings
• Most characterize their party positively
• Quality of the parties’ ideas
• Influence in congressional decision-making
• Views on limiting the role of money in politics
• Views on what kinds of activities can change the country for the better
• How much can voting affect the future direction of the country?
• Views of members of Congress
• In their own words: Americans’ views of the major problems with today’s elected officials
• How much do elected officials care about people like me?
• What motivates people to run for office?
• Quality of recent political candidates
• In elections, is there usually at least one candidate who shares your views?
• What the public sees as most important in political candidates
• Impressions of the people who will be running for president in 2024
• Views about presidential campaigns
• How much of an impact does who is president have on your life?
• Whose priorities should the president focus on?
• How different are the Republican and Democratic parties?
• Views of how well the parties represent people’s interests
• What if there were more political parties?
• Would more parties make solving problems easier or harder?
• How likely is it that an independent candidate will become president?
• Americans who feel unrepresented by the parties have highly negative views of the political system
• Views of the Electoral College
• Should the size of the U.S. House of Representatives change?
• Senate seats and population size
• Younger adults more supportive of structural changes
• Politics in a single word or phrase: An outpouring of negative sentiments
• Negative emotions prevail when Americans think about politics
• Americans say the tone of political debate in the country has worsened
• Which political topics get too much – and too little – attention?
• Majority of Americans find it stressful to talk politics with people they disagree with
• Acknowledgments

The public sees a number of specific problems with American politics. Partisan fighting, the high cost of political campaigns, and the outsize influence of special interests and lobbyists are each seen as characteristic of the U.S. political system by at least 84% of Americans.

Yet 63% also say that “ordinary Americans care about making the political system work well” is a good description of U.S. politics today. Still, when asked to describe a strength of the political system in their own words, more than half either say “nothing” (22%) or decline to give an answer (34%).

Americans view negative statements as better descriptions of the political system than positive ones

More than eight-in-ten adults say that each of the following is at least a somewhat good description of the U.S. political system today:

• Republicans and Democrats are more focused on fighting each other than on solving problems (86%);
• The cost of political campaigns makes it hard for good people to run for office (85%);
• Special interest groups and lobbyists have too much say in what happens in politics (84%).

About six-in-ten (63%) think ordinary Americans want to make the political system work well. This is the rare positive sentiment that a majority views as a good descriptor of the political system.

Fewer than half of adults hold the view that the government deserves more credit than it gets: Majorities say that “the federal government does more for ordinary Americans than people give it credit for” (59%) and “Congress accomplishes more than people give it credit for” (65%) are both bad descriptions of the political system.

Nearly seven-in-ten adults express frustration with the availability of unbiased information about politics: 68% say the statement “it is easy to find unbiased information about what is happening in politics” is not a good description of the political system.

And just 22% of Americans say that political leaders facing consequences for acting unethically is a good description of the political system. They are more than three times as likely to say that this is a bad description (76% say this).

Many critiques of the political system are bipartisan

Partisans have similar views of many of the descriptions of the political system included in the survey.

Overwhelming majorities in both parties think there is too much partisan fighting, campaigns cost too much, and lobbyists and special interests have too much say in politics. And just 24% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents and 20% of Republicans and Republican leaners say that political leaders face consequences if they act unethically.

The widest partisan gap is over a description of the federal government. Democrats are roughly twice as likely as Republicans to say “the federal government does more for ordinary Americans than people give it credit for” (54% vs. 26%).

There is a narrower gap in views of Congress’ accomplishments: 37% of Democrats and 28% of Republicans say it accomplishes more than people give it credit for.

Democrats are also more likely to say, “It is easy to find unbiased information about what is happening in politics” (36% of Democrats and 25% of Republicans say this is a good description of the political system today), while Republicans are slightly more likely than Democrats to view ordinary Americans as wanting to make the political system work well (67% of Republicans and 61% of Democrats say this is a good description).

When asked to describe in their own words the biggest problem with the political system in the U.S. today, Americans point to a wide range of factors.

Negative characteristics attributed to politicians and political leaders are a common complaint: 31% of U.S. adults say politicians are the biggest problem with the system, including 15% who point to greed or corruption and 7% who cite dishonesty or a lack of trustworthiness.

The biggest problem, according to one woman in her 50s, is that politicians are “hiding the truth and fulfilling their own agendas.” Similarly, a man in his 30s says, “They don’t work for the people. They are too corrupt and busy filling their pockets.”

Explore more voices: The political system’s biggest problems

What do you see as the biggest problem with the political system in the U.S. today?

“An almost total lack of credibility and trust. Coupled with a media that’s so biased, that they’ve lost all objectivity.” –Man, 70s

“Lying about intentions or not following through with what elected officials said they would do.” –Woman, 20s

“Blind faith in political figures.” –Woman, 50s

“Our elected officials would rather play political games than serve the needs of their constituents.” –Woman, 50s

“Same politicians in office too long.” –Woman, 30s

“Extremism on both sides exploited by the mainstream media for ratings. It is making it impossible for both parties to work together.” –Man, 30s

“It has become too polarized. No one is willing to compromise or be moderate.” –Woman, 40s

“Too much money in politics coming from large corporations and special interest.” –Man, 30s

“The people have no say in important matters, we have NO representation at all. Our lawmakers are isolated and could care less what we want.” –Man, 60s

About two-in-ten adults cite deep divisions between the parties as the biggest problem with the U.S. political system, with respondents describing a lack of cooperation between the parties or among elected leaders in Washington.

“Both of the political parties are so busy trying to stop the other party, they are wasting their opportunities to solve the problems faced by our nation,” in the view of one man in his 70s.

Even as some blame polarization, others (10% of respondents) identify the other party as the system’s biggest problem. Some Republicans say that the biggest problem is “Democrats” while some Democrats simply say “Republicans.”

Smaller but substantial shares of adults name the media and political discourse (9%), the influence of money in politics (7%), government’s perceived failures (6%), specific policy areas and issues (6%) or problems with elections and voting (4%) as the biggest problem with the political system today.

Far fewer adults name a specific strength of the political system today when asked to describe the system’s biggest strength in their own words. More than half either say that the system lacks a biggest strength (22%) or decline to answer (34%). As one woman in her 60s writes, “I’m not seeing any strengths!”

Among those who do identify strengths of the U.S. political system, the structure of political institutions and the principles that define the constitutional order are named most frequently (by 12% of respondents). Many respondents specifically point to the Constitution itself or refer to the separation of powers or the checks and balances created by the Constitution.

A man in his 20s believes that the “separation of powers and federalism work pretty well,” while one in his 30s writes that the system’s greatest strength is “the checks and balances to make sure that monumental changes aren’t made unilaterally.”

Explore more voices: The political system’s biggest strengths

What do you see as the biggest strength of the U.S. political system today?

“Everyone getting a say; democracy.” –Woman, 40s

“The right to have your opinions heard.” –Man, 60s

“In spite of our differences, we are still a democracy, and I believe there are people within our government who still care and are interested in the betterment of our country.” –Woman, 50s

“The freedom of speech and religion” –Woman, 50s

“If we have fair, honest elections we can vote out the corruption and/or incompetent politicians.” –Man, 70s

“The Constitution.” –Man, 50s

“The checks and balances to control the power of any office. The voice of the people and the options to remove an official from office.” –Man, 60s

“New, younger voices in government.” –Woman, 40s

“If we can’t get more bipartisanship we’ll become weaker. Our biggest strength is our working together.” –Woman, 60s

“The way that every two years the people get to make their voice heard.” –Man, 30s

About one-in-ten (9%) refer to individual freedoms and related democratic values, while a similar share (8%) discuss the right to vote and the existence of free elections. A woman in her 70s echoes many similar comments when she points to “the possibility of change in upcoming elections.”

However, even some of the descriptions of positive characteristics of the system are couched in respondents’ doubts about the way the system is working today. One woman in her 50s adds a qualification to what she views as the system’s biggest strength, saying, “Theoretically every voter has a say.”

Smaller shares of the public point to the positive characteristics of some politicians (4%) or the positive characteristics of the American people (4%) as reasons for optimism.

The public remains roughly evenly split over whether there are clear solutions to the biggest issues facing the country. Half of Americans today say there are clear solutions to most of the big issues facing the country, while about as many (48%) say most big issues don’t have clear solutions.

There are relatively modest demographic and political differences in perceptions of whether the solutions to the nations’ problems are clear or not.

While both men and women are relatively divided on this question, women are 6 percentage points more likely to think the big issues facing the country don’t have clear solutions.

Race and ethnicity

While 43% of Hispanic adults and about half of Black (50%) and White (48%) adults say there aren’t clear solutions for most big issues, that rises to 62% among Asian adults.

Age differences on this question are modest, but those under 30 are slightly more likely than those 30 and older to say most big issues have clear solutions.

Partisanship and political engagement

Both Republicans and Democrats are relatively split on this question, though Republicans are slightly more likely to say there are clear solutions to most big issues.

Those with higher levels of political engagement are more likely to say there are clear solutions to most big issues facing the country.

About six-in-ten adults with high levels of political engagement (61%) say there are clear solutions to big issues today, compared with half of those with medium levels of engagement and 41% of those with lower engagement.

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Political system: concept and types of political system.

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Political System: Concept and Types of Political System!

A ‘system’ is an integrated whole of various parts. A ‘social system’ is a set of integrated functioning units, each unit functioning in terms of role assigned to it. A ‘political system’ is collectivity of political institutions (e.g., government), associations (e.g., political parties) and organisations performing roles based on set norms and goals (like, maintaining internal order, regulating foreign relations, and providing security from external forces).

It is also described as ‘a collectivity of political institutions and as­sociations which administer the society through power, compelling conformity to the existing system of authority and which work on the basis of some principles and procedures’.

Almond and Coleman (1959) have defined it as “a system which performs political functions in a soci­ety”. Max Weber has explained it as “organisation that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given terri­tory, i.e., state”. Eisenstadt has defined it as “the organisation of a territorial society having the legitimate monopoly over the authorised use and regulation of force in the society”.

The political system is characterised by four elements:

(1) Use of le­gitimate force,

(2) Comprehensiveness,

(3) Interdependency, and

(4) Existence of boundaries.

David Easton (1953) has referred to its three com­ponents:

(1) It allocates values by means of policies.

(2) Its allocations are authoritative.

(3) Its authoritative allocations are binding on the society as a whole.

Almond and Coleman (1959) have given four common proper­ties of political systems:

(1) All political systems have political structures (i.e., patterned social relations, norms, and rights and obligations).

(2) Some functions are performed in all political systems, though with differ­ent frequencies and different styles.

(3) All political systems are multifunctional [e.g., evaluating (government) policies/roles, creating awareness among people, controlling people/groups/systems].

(4) All po­litical systems are mixed systems in the cultural sense (i.e., there is no ‘all modern’ culture or ‘all primitive’ culture.

Talking of functions of political system, Almond and Coleman have described three functions:

(1) To maintain integration of society by deter­mining norms, making them universally applicable, implementing them, and imparting punishment for violating them;

(2) To adapt and change elements of social, economic and religious systems necessary for achieving collective (political) goals;

(3) To protect the integrity of the political sys­tem from outside threats.

Almond and Coleman have explained these functions in an other way also. They classify them as output functions and input functions. The ‘output’ functions are: rule-making, rule appli­cation and rule adjudication.

The ‘input’ functions are:

Political socialisation, interest articulation, interest aggregation, and political com­munication. Eisentadt has described the political activities of a political system as: legislative (i.e., formulating general rules for maintaining or changing the existing order in the society), decision making (i.e., deter­mining society’s primary goals), and administrative (i.e., dealing with the execution of basic rules in different social spheres and providing various services to various groups in the society).

The political systems have been mainly classified by Shills as:

(i) Democratic system, i.e., rule by the consent of the governed through elected representatives of the citizens. Although democracy is based on majority rule, the protection of minority rights has always been regarded as an essential aspect of the democratic system. Also important in the po­litical democracy are equality before the law, freedom of speech, press and assembly, and protection from arbitrary arrest,

(ii) Totalitarian system, i.e., a system in which the state controls and regulates all phases of life considered essential for perpetuating its power and for carrying out pro­grammes arbitrarily. Centralised authority is stressed over the autonomy of individuals or subgroups within the society. In practice, the state is rep­resented by a politically powerful ruling class or elite that dominates all other interest groups,

(iii) Oligarchic system, i.e., a system in which a small group rules and holds supreme power over a larger society.

Eisentadt has classified the political systems as pluralistic, authoritar­ian, totalitarian and patrimonial. The pluralistic systems/regimes are characterised by strong centre, large scope of political freedom, and are ca­pable of absorption of sustained growth. The patrimonial regimes have emerged after World War II. It is a ‘personal ruler-ship’ in which the fol­lowers of the ruler do not have belief in his personal qualities but in material rewards and incentives he offers.

Related Articles:

• Political System: Essay on the Meaning of Political System
• Political Parties: The Functions and Role of Political Parties in Political Process

Political System

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Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Voting — Political Electoral Systems

Political Electoral Systems

• Categories: American Government Voting

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Words: 2098 |

11 min read

Published: Oct 11, 2018

Words: 2098 | Pages: 5 | 11 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, types of electoral systems, additional functionality.

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The UK and the US Political Systems Essay

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Executive Summary

Introduction, differences and similarities in the design of both constitutions, legal concept in both states, governmental system, case law in the uk and the us.

The United States of America and the United Kingdom are two countries of the world that are frequently compared and contrasted with each other in regard to a variety of different aspects, features, and characteristics. This could be the case because the two countries are strongly related in terms of historical development. Being the former British colony, the United States of America inherited many of its important concepts, views, and approaches in regard to the political system, legislation, governance, and law. As a result, there exists a set of similarities between the political and legal systems of the two states (such as the reliance on common law or case law in legal decision-making, the democratic structure of the political systems, and the division of the government and court systems into branches allowing them to balance and check one another.

A lot of time has passed since the times of the British colonization of the continent of North America, and, as a result, the two countries grew apart, each taking its own way of future prospects, goals, and political courses. A detailed comparison of some of the aspects that comprise the statehood of the United States and the United Kingdom will be discussed in this paper. In particular, the major topics on which this report will elaborate are the differences and similarities between the Constitutions of the two countries, their view of a legal concept, governmental systems, and their perspectives on case law.

The USA and the UK are some of the world’s most developed, wealthiest, and politically organized countries. Both of these states are also known for their strong democratic approach to their political systems supported by their constitutions. However, there exist significant differences between these documents.

The first and foremost point of difference between the constitutions of the United States of America and the United Kingdom is the way they are organized. In particular, while the Constitution of the United States is the existing document that was handwritten and thoroughly put together by a large group of political and legislative experts, the British Constitution is known to still remain unwritten (Thomas, 2017). As surprising as it may sound to a modern analyst, the British Constitution is practically a compilation of several documents that serve as the basis for its state governance.

At the same time, one of the major issues regarding the unwritten Constitution of the UK is its validity since this document is easy to challenge due to the lack of a well-organized set of terms and rules presented by it for the state to rely on. In addition, during the time while Britain enjoyed its membership in the European Union, there also had been multiple arguments dedicated to the discussion of the relationship of the British unwritten Constitution and the strictly organized, well-presented, and relatively modern Constitution of the EU.

It could be supposed that the lack of a clearly written text of the Constitution could serve as a significant issue when passing laws; however, as pointed out by Thomas (2017), quite often, the American laws are on the news due to their utter clash with some of the first ten Amendments (also known as the Bill of Rights). In that way, both types of designs (written and unwritten) are still known to face challenges when it comes to accomplishing the major functions of a Constitution.

Due to the strong and lengthy historical connection between the United Kingdom and the United States, there also exist a very significant set of similarities between the legal systems of the two states. First of all, the legal concepts of the UK and the USA have the same roots as the latter practically originates from the former (Rabon, 2013).

One of the main similarities of the legal concepts of the two countries is their source of legal authority. In particular, in the US, as well as in the UK, courts are seen as the major judiciary body that resolves litigations by means of relying on the presence or absence of precedent (Syam, 2014). At the same time, the major legislative organ in the United States is the Congress that is comprised of several branches; however, in the United Kingdom, this function is fulfilled by the Parliament that is regarded as sovereign in its power (Bogdanor & Rodriguez, 2008).

Court systems in the United States and the United Kingdom do not differ much. For the minor and less significant cases, there exist regional courts (or state courts in the USA); and for the major offenses, there is a specialized court hierarchy comprised of three stages – the bottom stage is represented by the District Court in the US and the Crown Court in the UK, the second stage is the Courts of Appeals, and the final and the highest stage has the Supreme Courts in both states (Syam, 2014).

In addition, approaching the litigation in the UK and the US in details, it is possible to point out the difference in the way they lawyers in the two states plead their cases; practically, this aspect is lengthier and more detailed in the US while the UK approach supports concise and brief pleading style (Byford, 2012).

Perhaps, the most obvious and well-known difference between the governmental systems of the United Kingdom and the United States is in the characters of the two systems. In particular, the United States is known to be the federal constitutional republic, whereas the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary governmental system (Wandrei, 2017).

The major differences between the governmental systems of the USA and the UK lie in the top levels of their structures. To be more precise, in the UK, the role of the head of the state is fulfilled by the monarch (currently, Queen Elizabeth II); this role includes majorly ceremonial duties and is highly limited in relation to the political powers and responsibilities. At the same time, the role of the head of the government is completely different in the UK and is carried out by the prime minister, whose duties include a broad scope of activities connected to the daily management of the state (Wandrei, 2017). In contrast with the governmental system of the UK, that of the United States has a single head of the state – the President, whose role presents a combination of both managerial and ceremonial duties.

The US government is divided into three branches – executive, judiciary, and a Congress that has a dual structure and is comprised of a House of Representatives and a Congress; the latter two bodies are democratically elected. The three branches of the US government are organized in a way allowing them to balance out one another and check each other’s activities (Wandrei, 2017). At the same time, in the United Kingdom, the Parliament that is the main governmental body, is comprised of the House of Commons (this is also the lower house) and the House of Lords (the upper house). In the House of Commons, the members are elected democratically by the constituencies; further, the leader of the party that is dominant in the House is appointed to be the state prime minister (Wandrei, 2017). When it comes to the House of Lords, its main function is to balance and check the actions of the House of Commons through the review of bills; the members of this House are not elected; also, prior to 2009, the House of Lords fulfilled the functions of a final court of the appeal currently carried out by the Supreme Court (Wandrei, 2017).

Just like the governmental systems, the legal systems of the United Kingdom and the United States have a lot in common due to the common history in the past. In particular, the major aspect of the legal systems of the two countries that are known as the case law or the common law is a shared concept accepted in both states. Case law stands for the approach to legal decision-making that is based on the review of cases or precedents (Rabon, 2013). In that way, a single decision focusing on a particular case or precedent becomes an exemplar for all the following cases that resemble the initial precedent (Rabon, 2013).

Since the time when the United States became an independent republic and began to follow its own Constitution, the country has accepted its own common law that is based on the rules and regulations gathered in and supported by the Constitution (Rabon, 2013). At the same time, the United Kingdom is comprised of four different countries; common law is the dominant approach in three of these countries – England, Northern Ireland, and Wales; the fourth country of the Kingdom, Scotland, has a legal system that incorporates a combination of common and civil law; in this hybrid of a system, the vast majority of regulations are based on statutes and legislation decisions (Rabon, 2013).

For the most part, the legal and political systems in the United States of America and the United Kingdom are very similar. The similarities can be majorly explained by the common roots of these aspects of the British and the American states and societies (since, initially, the United States of America originated from a group of British colonies), as well as by the similar approaches to the further political courses, development, and decision-making. In particular, the governmental systems of the two states are very similar in the bottom aspects and have major differences at the top levels representing the general kind of governmental system, the heads of the state, and the major governmental powers and their organization. The legal systems of the two states are majorly based on common law that supports the legal decision-making that comes from past cases. In that way, the major differences between the political systems of the two states are in the basic structure and the division into branches.

Bogdanor, V., & Rodriguez, C. (2008). The British and American Constitutions. Web.

Byford, N. (2012). Litigation: The differences between English and U.S. litigation . Web.

Rabon, J. (2013). An exploration of the differences between the U.S. and U.K. law and legal systems . Web.

Syam, P. (2014). Major differences between the US and UK legal systems . Web.

Thomas, J. (2017). The British and American Constitutions . Web.

Wandrei, K. (2017). Similarities & differences between the U.K. & U.S. political systems. Web.

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Bibliography

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Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayat Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Last updated on August 30, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

India is a vast landscape with cultural, linguistic, and geographical diversity.

One element that binds India as a nation together is its polity and governance structure.

The Indian political system is connected with the threads of history, culture, and the aspirations of its people.

From the remarkable Constitution that serves as the guiding light to the intricate Panchayat Raj system, this blog post delves into the multifaceted aspects of Indian polity and governance, encompassing the Constitution, the political system, Panchayat Raj, public policy, and rights issues.

Table of Contents

Indian Polity – The Political System

Polity means political system.

Indian Polity means the Indian Political System.

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The Indian state has three organs – (1) legislature (which makes laws), (2) executive (which implements laws) and (3) judiciary (which interprets laws).

India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic.

Indian Political system derives its origin from the historical underpinnings , however, its present structure owes to the Indian Constitution .

India’s political system is federal in nature, with a union of states and territories.

At the Center – the Parliament, consisting of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People), is the legislative body responsible for making laws. The President, elected by an Electoral College, is the ceremonial head of the state. The Prime Minister, the head of government, leads the executive branch.

At the state level – the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly make law. The governor is the ceremonial head of each state (provinces). The Chief Minister leads the executive branch.

India’s vibrant multi-party democracy ensures that voices from various sections of society are heard.

Know more about Indian Polity …

Governance – The Administrative Framework

Governance in India is a dynamic process that involves the management, administration, and regulation of the nation’s affairs.

India is a democracy. The real power lies with people. However, people elect representatives to make laws.

At the executive level, there are political executives (elected) and permanent executives or bureaucrats (selected).

Rooted in the principles of democracy, governance encompasses various levels of decision-making, from the central government to state administrations and local bodies.

The Indian political system is characterized by a multi-tiered structure that facilitates decentralization, with power shared between the Union and State governments. This complex framework is guided by the Constitution of India, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of different branches of government and upholds the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens.

As India continues to evolve as a global player, its governance strives to strike a balance between tradition and progress, inclusivity and efficiency, and the aspirations of its diverse population.

Know more about Governance …

The Indian Constitution: The fundamental law of the land

At the heart of India’s polity lies its Constitution, a remarkable document that reflects the vision of the nation’s founding fathers.

Adopted on January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India enshrines the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

It establishes a democratic framework with a division of powers among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, ensuring a system of checks and balances.

Over the years, the Indian Constitution has demonstrated its adaptability to changing times and societal needs. Amendments have been made to reflect evolving priorities while preserving the core principles. This capacity for change has allowed the Constitution to remain relevant and effective in a rapidly evolving world.

Know more about Indian Constitution …

Panchayat Raj: Empowering Local Governance

A unique feature of Indian governance is the Panchayat Raj system.

Enshrined in the Constitution’s 73rd and 74th Amendments, it empowers local self-governance at the grassroots level.

Panchayats (village councils) and Municipalities play a pivotal role in rural and urban development, ensuring community participation and decentralization of power.

This system promotes effective governance by addressing local issues with the involvement of the people.

Know more about Panchayat Raj …

Public Policy: Bridging Aspirations and Reality

Public policy formulation and implementation are crucial for addressing the diverse needs of the population.

The government’s policies impact various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the economy. Initiatives like “ Make in India ,” “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,” and “ Digital India ” showcase India’s commitment to progress and development.

Effective policy implementation requires collaboration between the government, civil society, and the private sector.

Know more about the Public Policy of India …

Rights Issues: Striving for Social Justice

Rights encompass a wide range of freedoms, privileges, and protections that individuals are inherently entitled to by virtue of being human.

Despite progress, our society still grapples with numerous rights issues.

• Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, and economic status continues to persist.
• Gender inequality deprives millions of women of their rights and opportunities.
• The LGBTQ+ community faces challenges to their rights and acceptance.
• Marginalized communities often confront unequal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
• Environmental degradation threatens the right to a sustainable future.

These issues are not isolated; they intersect and amplify one another, underscoring the complexity of the fight for rights.

India’s journey towards a just society involves addressing rights issues, particularly those concerning marginalized and vulnerable communities.

The Constitution guarantees fundamental rights such as the right to equality, freedom of speech, and the right to life.

Additionally, affirmative action policies, as enshrined in the Constitution’s provisions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, aim to uplift historically disadvantaged groups.

Know more about Rights Issues…

Challenges and Future Prospects

While India’s polity and governance framework has achieved significant milestones, challenges persist. Corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and socioeconomic disparities demand continuous attention. Additionally, maintaining the delicate balance between cultural diversity and national unity remains a constant endeavour.

The future of Indian polity and governance is promising, with technology-driven innovations, increased public awareness, and a growing emphasis on inclusive and sustainable development. Strengthening institutions, promoting transparency, and fostering citizen engagement will play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s trajectory.

How to study Indian Polity and Governance?

Readers may note that this article on the Indian Polity and Governance is just an overview of the topic. There is a lot more to learn about Indian Polity and Governance.

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Indian polity and governance are a testament to the nation’s commitment to democracy, unity, and progress.

The Constitution acts as a guiding compass, while the political system, Panchayat Raj, public policies, and rights issues collectively contribute to the nation’s growth.

As India treads the path of development, it is imperative to uphold the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity to create a society that truly reflects the aspirations of its diverse populace.

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Indian Politics Essay

500 words essay on indian politics.

Politics, simply speaking, refers to the activities surrounding a country’s governance. In the context of a large democratic country like India, politics becomes really complicated. This Indian politics essay will throw light on the politics of India.

                                                                                                                     Indian Politics Essay

Background of Indian Politics

Politics in India, like any other democratic country, involves the ruling party and the opposition. In India, the formation of political parties has taken place on the basis of ideology. Moreover, the Indian political parties belong to the left and the right political spectrum.

Leftist politics rely on the values of secularism , liberalism, and rebelliousness. In contrast, rightist politics favour the values of being pro-government, orderly, conservative, and traditional.

There are no definitions of left-right politics anywhere in the Indian constitution. Furthermore, these terms were given by commentators, authors, and journalists. Also, it has been witnessed in India that some politicians can change their political party and ideology.

Indeed for a stable democracy , it is necessary that both political ideologies, the right and left, operate side by side. As such, some times, the country may be under rightist influence while leftist ideals may dominate at another time. The two major political parties in India, BJP and Congress, clearly demonstrate the two different political spectrums of right and left respectively.

Problem with Indian Politics

For a democracy to work properly there must be a proper demarcation between the political ideologies. However, in India, the demarcation between these ideologies tends to get blurry, thereby resulting in the superimposition of one ideology over the other. This is certainly not an indication of a mature democracy.

The political system of India suffers due to the clash of different political ideologies. Furthermore, such clashes can turn out to be quite ugly. Most noteworthy, such clashes are detrimental to the development of the country as a whole.

Various other problems affect Indian politics like hatred, injustice, corruption, greed, and bigotry. Due to all these problems, Indian politics is called a dirty game. Such problems can also force many intellectual and eminent individuals to stay away from Indian politics.

Sometimes the Indian politicians may choose a political party, not because of the ideological stance, but rather due to the winning probability in the elections. This is a really sad reality of Indian politics. Moreover, it shows that such politicians care more about their own personal interests rather than the interests of the common people.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of Indian Politics Essay

Indian politics is a colourful drama and, according to some, its the great circus of the country. Despite such negative connotations, no one can doubt the enormously important role that politics has played in India. Most noteworthy, it is a crucial aspect of Indian democracy.

FAQs For Indian Politics Essay

Question 1: How many political parties are there in India?

Answer 1: According to the latest publication from the Election Commission of India, the total number of registered political parties in India is 2698. Furthermore, out of the registered political parties, 8 are national parties, 52 are state parties, and 2638 remain unrecognised. Also, registered parties that contest elections must have a symbol of their own that is approved by the EC.

Question 2: What are the two most powerful political parties in India?

Answer 2: The two most powerful political parties in India are the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress or Congress or INC. Furthermore, BJP is the leading right-wing party while Congress is the leading centrist/leftist party in India.

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• Indian Politics Essay

Essay on Indian Politics

The functioning of the political system is crucial for the smooth development of any country. India is no different. From being the largest democracy in the world and having the Prime Minister as the supreme leader of the country, Indian politics has its own charisma. 

In the given below Indian politics essay, one can read all about the Indian political system, it's functioning, and the problems faced by it. For India, political scenarios and events play an important role. 

The Various Shades of Indian Politics  

India is the largest democracy in the world. Almost 1 out of every 6 humans in the world is an Indian. With such an enormous and diverse population, there are a number of political ideologies and political parties which are present and functioning all over the country. The constitution of India gives the right to every citizen of the country to form political parties and contest elections in the country. Although, Politics in India is not only limited to just political parties but has become central to all walks of life among everyone. Politics is said to be the art of influencing the will of the state. We have seen various pressure groups, advocacy groups, interests groups, etc which work in tandem with the political organizations. The work of the political parties is not just limited to winning elections, but it is the duty of every citizen of the country to ensure that our representatives remain responsive to the demand of the people and fulfill their electoral promises. 

Political parties in India are generally of two major categories, these are National Parties and Regional parties. The National parties are those political organizations that have a substantial presence in most parts of the country while the Regional parties are those parties that are limited to just one state or a few states where they have some influence. The regional parties are generally formed on the lines of language as the states in India have been organized on the basis of language. The various political interest groups work along with these political parties to lobby for their interest and make sure that the issues which are of concern to the common people are brought to the attention of our leaders. The Media also plays a very vital role in the functioning of a democracy and has been recognized as the fourth pillar of a democracy. 

Long Essay on Indian Politics

The functioning of the political system is crucial for the smooth development of any country. India is no different. From being the largest democracy in the world and having the Prime Minister as the supreme leader of the country, Indian politics has its own charisma. In the given below Indian politics essay, one can read all about the Indian political system, it's functioning, and the problems faced by it. For India, political scenarios and events play an important role. 

Through this essay on Indian politics, one can get enlightened about working in the country's political system. The entire country revolves around the Indian political system. Every decision and law is taken into account for the development of the country. 

An Indian politician is somebody who is elected from his/her constituency. Every politician has their constituency from where they are elected. They then actively delve into politics. Since independence, India has strived forward thanks to the laws implemented by politicians. Indians can take pride in the fact that they are the largest democracy in the world. The PM or prime minister heads the country. He is the head of the government formed at the center. Likewise, the president is head of the central and the state government. 

The Indian parliament consists of the upper and lower house. The upper house is known as the Rajya Sabha and the lower house is called the Lok Sabha. The upper house consists of members who represent the states of the country. The lower house consists of members elected to represent the people of the country. The Supreme Court or SC is the protector of the constitution of India. Indian politics comprises three pillars that consist of the central leadership, state leadership, and the village or panchayat raj. The panchayat ray is still prominent in several villages and most rural parts of the country. Thanks to the 73rd constitutional amendment, local governance is acceptable. India is a democratic country where the leaders are elected through elections held once in four years. 

The party with the largest vote bank after the election can claim their victory. To vote in India, one must be an Indian citizen, and above 18 years of age. They need to obtain an election card. Anybody can contest in the elections in India. The individual should be an Indian citizen and have completed 25 years of age. Additionally, there are a few more conditions to be met that most candidates become eligible for. In India, there are no criteria for contesting elections. Hence, it is not surprising to note that many legislators have little to no education. One can use NOTA when they feel that their constituent candidate is not well-educated or is worthy of the position. 

In this paragraph on Indian politics, one learns about the lack of educational qualifications for the politicians. In most of the developed and developing countries, the politicians are an educated lot. Education and corruption cannot go hand in hand. The opposition needs to be proactive and take a tough stance on the ruling of the government. The country's few significant parties include BJP, Indian National Congress, CPI, AAP, BSP, and the SP. 

It is safe to say that the political scenario can be changed for the greater good of the country and society. 

Short Essay on Indian Politics

The information given below is suitable for the Indian politics essay 10th class syllabus. Students can make use of it during their examinations. In this short essay on Indian politics, one can read about the nuances of Indian politics. 

Indian politics is compared to a great circus where different political parties fight till the end. Most of the elections are marred by corruption on a large scale. Sadly, the country's political climate decides on the communal, social, and economic condition of the country. In this paragraph on Indian politics, one finds out that when the political situation is unstable, then it gives rise to unwanted problems like civil wars and revolutions, as seen in Libya, Syria, and Egypt. 

Indian politics has seen it all, right from the birth of the two single largest parties in India, the partition, emergency period, India-Bangladesh war, and the terror attacks. It is a colorful game indeed with plenty of good and bad happening side-by-side. One can hope that India progresses and matures with time. Hopefully, it will be for the greater good and development of the nation. The essay about Indian politics has shown that the freedom of choosing the kind of ideology one wants to take itself lies in Indian democracy.

Conclusion 

To conclude the Indian politics essay in English, the Indian political scenario has seen it all. Rulers of dynamic capabilities and charismatic character have taken over the realms of the country. 

Likes of Jawaharlal Nehru and Narendra Modi have adorned the coveted position of this country, which is a moment of pride for any Indian. 

FAQs on Indian Politics Essay

1. What can one learn from the essay on Indian Politics?

The Indian politics essay reveals the existing Indian political system in the country. It is similar to a game of snake and ladders. Friends become one's enemies, and sworn enemies share the dais during election rallies.

It is becoming a common sight today. Indians can be proud of the fact that they are the largest democracy existing in the world. In Indian politics, the prime minister is the head, and power is equally divided between the central and state governments.

2. Does it help Indian Politics in electing educated ministers?

The main issue plaguing the Indian political system is the lack of education. Even ministers occupying senior positions in the country are devoid of quality education. One can blame the lack of criteria when electing the minister.

This has been going on for decades, and quick changes must be imminent for the betterment of the country. It would help in routing problems like corruption that is the root cause of all issues in the country.

3. What is Politics?

Politics is a very wide subject that does not have one definite answer, for most people it is about winning elections and getting the key to state power. However, according to one of the widely accepted definitions, Politics is the art of influencing the will of the state, which means that not only the political parties and the politicians but every citizen has an active role to play in the politics of this country.

4. Which is a democracy?

According to the famous definition given by Abraham Lincoln, Democracy is a form of government that is for the people, by the people, and of the people. This is good to give a basic sense of the idea of democracy but in the more general sense, it is people deciding what is good for them and taking an active part in the decision-making process of the country.

5.  What is the difference between a democracy and a republic?

Democracy is the form of government in which it is considered that the people will be deciding how to govern themselves. While in a Republic, the people give the franchise of their mandate to a selected candidate who represents them in the seat of governance. So the Republic is the enshrinement of the will of the people into a system that selects the people who govern them while democracy makes them responsive to the people who vote for them.

6. How can the write ups along with important questions for Indian Politics be downloaded from Vedantu?

The Online resources at Vedantu can easily be accessed using 4 steps:

Open the Website of Vedantu on your Laptop or you can log in to the Vedantu App through your phone.

Search the subject of Civics along with the particular topic which you are looking for or essays which you may want to find.

Click on Download PDF to download the solution in PDF format.

Enter OTP and then the solutions will be sent to your email id

You can avail all the well-researched and good quality chapters, sample papers, syllabus on various topics from the website of Vedantu and its mobile application available on the play store.

7.  What is the importance of elections in Indian democracy?

Elections play a very vital role in any functioning democracy in the world. Elections are the litmus test on how democracy has been working because without a free and fair election process, No true democracy can survive and if the election process is not free and fair then the belief of people will turn away from democratic politics. However, elections should not be seen as the endgame of democracy as a public partition in the development process must be ensured to keep democracy vibrant.