Monday, February 16, 2015

Session 6: Classification by Comparison

Classification is helpful in understanding and evaluating the current systems operating in the world as mentioned by Thoreau. It is true that classification with comparison is easier and it gives an alternate, a different side of the story of the topic under scrutiny.

 However, I believe that comparison is not apt for evaluating different political systems. When talking about a political system, we are discussing governance over thousands of people. We need to take into account all spheres of human life:  religion, culture, society, economy, positionality, time etc. Different places in the world are governed in their own unique way, no two countries have the same political workings. For instance, US is a democracy and UK is also a democracy but  within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. Pakistan is also a democratic state on paper but many people beg to differ n reality.


Hence,  comparison is a helpful tool for comprehending the diverse political structures we have in the world, but it is not as useful when evaluating. I think it is not mandatory to evaluate and separate these diverse forms of governance because there will always be an overlapping or not. The states that comes under the wide umbrella of specific words, such as socialism, do not necessarily have the same political systems. Human lives are complex and their reactions are many, same rules will not have the same application all over the world or even in the same country. 

No comments: