Types of political system

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Aristotle classification

Back

-one ruler=good ruler(kingship)/Bad Ruler(Tyranny)

-Few ruler= good ruler(Aristocracy)/Bad ruler(Oligarchy)

-Many ruler= Good ruler(Polity)/Bad ruler(Democracy)

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Liberal Democracy

Back

-rule of the people prevail

-The government is run by the representatives (so called wakil rakyat in Malaysia)

-Liberal democratic system is exemplified in the Athenian direct democracy or a representative government of Anglo-American model or the mixture of the two.

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liberal Democracy characteristics

Back

-There should be a regular election to determine which political party should run the government.

-Popular participation is facilitated by the fact that pressure groups are free to operate and attempt to influence the government decisions.

-Civil liberties such as freedom of speech, association, religion etc. are protected. This is turn requires that mass media are free from government control.

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Islamic political system

Back

-Sovereignty is nominally vested in God. Man -only acts as His vicegerent.

-Based upon the principle of Syura (consultation) in decision making.

-The government must ensure justice, equality, freedom, and the rule of law.

-Control over economy is limited

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Totalitarian system

Back

-‘the government has absolute, total control and jurisdiction over every aspects of people’s private lives and civil life’.

-Usually, totalitarianism has and developed ‘charismatic leader’ just like in the case of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-il who is regarded as the ‘Supreme Leader’ and semi-god by North Koreans.

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Characteristics of totalitarian system

Back

-All aspects of people’s lives are under close supervision of the regime.

-One party system, i.e. only one party is allowed to legally operate. – Worker’s Party of North Korea

-It has one official ideology, e.g. communism, fascism, etc.

-Judiciary and media are tightly controlled by the regime.

-Terror and fear is used as instrument to threaten people for obedience and submission.

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Autocratic system

Back

-Autocracy comes from the Greek word which literally means ‘self-rule’ or ‘the ruler who rules by himself’.

-Autocratic System is ‘less strict’ as compared with the totalitarianism (which control every aspects of civil life).

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Characteristics of totalitarian system

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-Ruler uses nationalism as the way to gain support and legitimacy from the people/public.

-Ruler uses hard power (force/coercion) to gain obedience and legitimacy.

-Political power and legitimacy is derived from traditional authority and Armed Forces.

-Lack of civil liberties (i.e. lack of civil rights and political rights).

-Ruler often uses arbitrary power to decide on things rather than ‘the rule of law’.