What do we understand by the idea of a politica Essays (2124 words)

What do we understand by the idea of a political system'? How are different political systems connected to the traditions of social scientific thought? In this essay, different political systems and their relations with each other will be discussed to show how different countries, specifically the United States of America and China foll ow different political systems and although very similar, also how they are connected to traditions of social scientific thought. To begin with, a political system is a scheme that makes up how the country is run mainly between the government, the people and the economy. It is not like a set of rules but rather kind of a bluepri nt of how the country is run that the people and their government follow. There are different political systems that governments around the world have adopted like Liberalism, which is the current political system the USA uses and Communism, which China uses. Although, there are other traditions of social scientific thought like Conservatism, Anarchism, and Fascism th at other parts of the world follow. The United States of America has been one of the most powerful countries of in the world since world war two. They follow a liberal democracy as a political system. T he re are two types of liberalism, o ne being Classical Liberalism and the other being Modern Liberalism. There are significant differences between the two although they branch out from the same sort of thought that every individual "should enjoy maximum possible freedom consistent with a like freedom for all" but importantly also that "they should be rewarded in line with their talents and their willingness to work" CITATION And07 \p 23 \l 1033 (Heywood, 2007, p. 23) . The USA has inh erited modern liberalism over time where personal development is promoted with a qualified endorsement for so cial and economic intervention and is characterized by self-determination, openness, deb ate and a powerful moral thrust CITATION And07 \l 1033 (Heywood, 2 007) They have set a distinct set of values and beliefs most importantly in the individual, their and others justice, tolerance, reason, and freedom . When liberals speak about the individualism in liberalism, it is basically meant that the people are not characterized by their individual social groups, but are characterized by their individual self and inner-qualities and self-sufficiency among the society . Liberalism in essence supports the individual 's freedom. There is a desire for a society where everyone is capable of matching to their own potential goals in their own way as long as it doesn't interfere with the liberty of others CITATION And07 \l 1033 (Heywood, 2007) CITATION Jim05 \l 1033 (Peron, 2005) . This freedom however, is limited to the self. Liberals do not believe that these rights or any other sort of privilege should be restricted based on discriminatory factors like a particula r class, race, gender, religion, color, or social background. Their justice is based on most if not all kinds of equality including the distribution of material r ewards and benefits in society CITATION And07 \l 1033 (Heywood, 2007) . One of the other forms of eq uality is toleration, or the willingness to accept something even though you disagree or do not approve of it, and this is a crucial trait to have in a large society where freedom is everybody's right. As all people were not born the same, it is not uncommon that they will have different views and ideas from each other , sometimes maybe coming into conflict with each other . Therefore, as French writer Voltaire said, "I detest what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it" CITATION And07 \p 35 \l 1033 (Heywood, 2007, p. 35) it establishes the rules on how people in society should act with each other which is absolutely necessary to ensure th e health of the society as a who le CITATION And07 \l 1033 (Heywood, 2007) . Anarchism, in which they don't believe there is a need for any sort of law or government, is one political ideology that shows how liberalism is better for the people. John Locke, an English philosopher and politician who was seen as