Functions of Politics and Easton's Model

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'input' refer to in Easton's model of politics?

The feedback received after a political decision is made

The support or demands that society expresses to the political system (correct)

The strategies used by political leaders to gain public support

The actions or policies produced by the government

Which of the following best describes the 'output' in Easton's political system model?

The external influences that affect the political system

The decisions or policies produced by the political system (correct)

The demands made by society on their government

The public's feedback regarding government actions

How can the feedback loop impact the political system according to Easton?

It minimizes the influence of external environments

It generates new demands based on public reactions to outputs (correct)

It consolidates the support for a single political party

It permanently stabilizes the existing demands of society

Which part of Easton's model is defined as the influences outside the local environment?

Environment - External Signup and view all the answers

What role does 'support' play in the input phase of Easton’s model?

It increases the likelihood that demands will be delivered to the government. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'political system' encompass in Easton’s model?

The government interacting with various societal sectors Signup and view all the answers

What can be considered an example of an internal environment in Easton's model?

Local community protests Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of politics according to David Easton’s framework?

Authoritative allocation of values for society Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of politics as described by David Easton?

To distribute values for social order Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'feedback loop' in Easton's model?

Responses or reactions toward political outputs that lead to new demands Signup and view all the answers

In Easton's system model, what role does 'input' play?

It encompasses the demands or support from society affecting the system. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes 'output' within Easton’s political system model?

Political decisions or actions taken by the government Signup and view all the answers

What does 'environment' encompass in Easton’s model?

Both internal and external influences on the political system Signup and view all the answers

What type of input is defined as the support needed by society to absorb demands according to Easton?

Legitimacy given by the citizenry Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements is an example of a demand within Easton’s model?

The demand for a change in law regarding education reform Signup and view all the answers

In Easton's model, what is the significance of the 'political system'?

It acts as an intermediary between society and its demands. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Functions of Politics

Politics is the process of authoritative allocation of values for society.
David Easton's "A Systems Approach to the Analysis of Political Life" (1957) popularized this concept.
Easton views politics as a system that distributes values in society to maintain order.

Parts of Easton's System Model:

Input: Demands and support from society are absorbed by the political system.
- Demands: Actions society wants the government to take. Example: A demand to stop the burial of Marcos in Libingan ng Bayani.
- Support: Conditions or actions that help the demands be absorbed. Example: Human rights activists in the Philippines supporting the demand to stop the burial.
Political System: Government or state interacting with other sectors. Example: The Supreme Court reviewing its previous rulings.
Output: Actions or decisions produced by the political system. Example: The Supreme Court upholding its previous ruling after deliberation.
Feedback Loop: Reactions or opinions to a certain output, potentially leading to new demands. Example: Dissatisfied Filipinos protesting at the Supreme Court and demanding the justices resign.
Environment: Factors that can directly affect the other parts of the system:
- Internal: The local environment in which the political system exists. Example: The Philippines.
- External: Influences or forces outside the local environment that could impact the system. Example: The US President visiting the Philippines to discuss human rights policy.

Functions of politics

Politics can be viewed as a system that distributes values in society to maintain order.
This concept, known as the "authoritative allocation of values", was popularized by David Easton in his 1957 work "A Systems Approach to the Analysis of Political Life."

Parts of Easton's System Model

Input: Refers to demands or support absorbed by the political system.
- Demands: What society wants the government to act upon.
  - Example: A demand to stop the burial of Marcos in Libingan ng Bayani.
- Support: Conditions or actions that help demands be met.
  - Example: Filipino human rights activists supporting the demand to stop Marcos' burial.
Political System: The government or state interacting with other sectors.
- Example: The Supreme Court reviewing its own previous rulings.
Output: The product or action produced by the political system.
- Example: The Supreme Court upholding its previous ruling on Marcos' burial.
Feedback Loop: Opinions or reactions to a political system's output.
- Example: Disappointed Filipinos protesting outside the Supreme Court and demanding the resignation of justices.
Environment: External and internal factors affecting the political system.
- Internal: The local environment where the political system exists.
  - Example: The Philippines.
- External: Influences or forces outside the local environment that can affect the system.
  - Example: The U.S. President planning a visit to the Philippines to discuss human rights policy.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of politics as delineated by David Easton's systems model. This quiz delves into how demands and support from society interact with political systems, producing outputs that shape society's values and order. Test your understanding of Easton's contributions to political analysis.