Political institutions
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How are political institutions formed?
What influences do they bring on political systems?
Discuss different political institutions and what they contribute or detract from political systems.
Sample Solution
Political institutions are organized structures created by a government to influence its citizens and carry out policy decisions. They can be seen as the backbone of any political system, providing structure and order in how public policies are designed and implemented. These institutions form when governments seek to create a specific set of rules for governing society, including laws, regulations, constitutional documents, and civil services (Lijphart 2012). The formation of political institutions is largely influenced by culture and history. Societies with different economic systems or beliefs will develop unique approaches to governance over time that best suit their particular needs (Giddens 2001). For example, regional differences may lead one part of a country to prefer more direct forms of democracy while another favors more indirect forms of rule. Political institutions also play an important role in influencing wider aspects of politics such as the level of participation in elections, the strength of interest groups within society, or even foreign relations between countries (Evans et al., 1997).
The presence or absence of effective political institutions has significant implications for the quality and stability of a political system. Without strong institutional frameworks based on mutual trust between leaders and citizens alike, it is difficult for any government to manage complex social problems efficiently (Dahl 1998). Institutions can help provide clarity on issues like taxation laws or budgetary constraints which often involve multiple stakeholders with diverging interests. In addition, they can serve as checks against excessive power by those who are elected into office thus helping ensure lasting social stability(Dahl 1998; Lijphart2012; Giddens2001 ; Evans et al.,1997 ; Dahl1998) . All this ultimately contributes towards shaping how governments interact not only with their own people but also with neighboring countries creating either open societies with high levels cooperation amongst nations or closed ones characterized by mistrust .
