Political System of India

The term ‘Political System’ refers to a new way of looking at political phenomena which was previously covered in old texts under such terms as ‘government’, ‘nation’ or ‘state’. It does not, however, mean that political system refers only to a change of name. It refers to something much more. It includes not only new names for old things, but also some new terms to refer to activities and processes which were not formerly recognized as being parts of aspects of politics. The older terms – state, government, nation – are limited by legal and institutional meanings. They referred to only the formal governmental institutions such as legislature, executive and judiciary. Political system, on the other hand, lays down that the role of formal government institutions is shaped and limited by informal groups, political attitudes and a number of interpersonal relationships. It directs attention to the entire scope of political activities within a society, regardless of where in the society such activities may be located. "When we speak of political system, we include all the interactions which affect the use or threat of use of legitimate physical coercion.