Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP, 2018

Objectives

• To understand the roles and the importance of a political

system in a country
• To identify the forms of political systems that are either
based on a feudal system or a particular ideology.

Learning outcome:
▪ Students should be able to understand the roles and the
significance of a political system in a state. They also
should be able to compare and analyse the differences
among those political systems

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
➢ Tribe: tribal community, kabilah.
➢ Everyone is related to one another, living in a close-
knitted communities having blood ties.
➢ Either nomadic (moving from one area to another) or
a settled population.
i. The Economy

➢ Hunters and gathers, trapping and fishing

➢ No accumulation of capital or wealth (kais pagi makan
pagi, kais petang makan petang)
➢ A relatively egalitarian, non-stratified and a classless
communal community. the belief that everyone is equal and should have
the same rights and opportunities

➢ Eg: The Penan in Sarawak, the Jahai in Upper

Perak.
ii. Political System
➢ Governed by a Council of Elders. an opinion that all members of
a group agree with

➢ Elected by consensus a political leader who gained

respect from every member of a community.
➢ The leader → special quality; physically strong, clever,
responsible, and well-liked by the majority. His word is
an order.
➢ Leader → to protect the interest of the community as a
whole.
iii. Some Important Anthropological
Works

1) John Beattie: Other Cultures (1964)

2) B. Malinowski: The Andaman Islanders
(constructs a theory on Functionalism)
3) Radcliffe-Brown: The Solomon Islanders
(improves the theory on structural-
functionalism)
4) Margaret Mead: Growing up in New Guinea
5) R. Firth (1936): We, the Tikopia.
6) P. Lawrence, Road Belong Cargo (Univ of
Queensland)
➢ Location: between the non-literate and non-industrial
communities in the remote area and the towns or
urban areas.
➢ Semi literate and semi-modern.
➢ Villages having between 50 families or households
and 300 or more households.
➢ They are not necessarily kinsmen, related to one
another
i. The Economy
➢ A stratified rural society, some own land or farm and
some do not.
➢ Basically, they are agriculturalists and animal rearing
➢ Cooperative work in economic activities;
➢ Family is of two types; nuclear and extended family.
➢ There might be simple cottage/household industries,
such as weaving mats, hats, making fish nets, fish traps,
weapon
ii. Political System

➢ A peasant village community is headed by a village

headman, elected by the village community.
➢ He may have a certain skill which put him above the
others,.
➢ His or his father’s leadership quality is acknowledged
by the community at large and by leaders in the
nearby urban centres.
➢ Through modern education, the young generation
achieved upwards mobility, getting high qualifications
and joining the middle class position.
iii. Notes on anthropological works of
Peasants in Malaysia

1) R. Firth: Malay Fisherman; Their Peasant Economy.

2) M.G Swift: A Malay Peasant Society in Jelebu.
3) Ungku A Aziz: Kajian Kemiskinan di Luar Bandar
4) Wan Hashim: A Malay Peasant Village in Upper Perak-
Integration and Transformations (MA Monash Uni.1976)
5) Wan Hashim: The Transformation of Malay Peasantry
under Peripheral Capitalism (Phd Manchester U.1982).
6) Wan Hashim: Komuniti Nelayan Di Pulau Pangkor,
DBP,1978.
7) Wan Hashim: Petani dan Persoalan Agraria, 1984.
8) Wan Hashim: Perubahan Nilai Masyarakat Desa-Kajian di
Kampung Wang Kelian, Perlis.
➢ A City: having the opposite characteristics of rural sector or
village; markets for business activities, industry, commerce,
and government depts.
➢ A complex division of labour; from barter trade to full
monetary economy.
➢ Networks of communication with other towns/cities through
land, rivers or seas.
Heterogeneity-
➢ The birth of soldiering as a full-time occupation. consisting of different,
distinguishable parts or
➢ Heterogeneity or pluralism in terms of population elements.
i. City as a Centre of
Civilization
➢ City life became more complex with the growth of
industries, art, architecture, sculpture, and literary
works.
➢ It has a well-developed system of government or
governance, an administrative centre.
➢ City dwellers also have a developed belief system
or religion; leisure times and entertainment.
➢ It may develop as a centre of learning.
➢ The above activities fit itself to be considered as a
centre of Civilization.
ii. From Cities, States to Empires

➢ From a city (an administrative-political, business, and

civilizational centre which is linked to other cities through
communication networks) to a developed state (which consists
of a territory).
➢ From city states/states emerged as an empire which came into
existence through conquest.
❖ “Politics”originated from the Greek word ‘politikos’,
from polites (citizen), from polis (city).
❖ The main purposes are;
i. To reshape or influence on a governmental
structure
ii. To influence the implementation and formation of
public policies
❖ Plato and Aristotle;

• Emphasized on moral purposes that leaders or

decision makers must pursue
❖ Aristotle
- also focused on political structure of a
government. It includes;
➢ officials - selected for governing the state

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
❖It also involves political activities in a particular
state which are manifested in several ways.
Those are;

i. Political Behavior
ii. Political Culture
iii. Political Values
iv. Interest Groups
v. Different Levels of Government

❖The above aspects are important since it

differentiates between different political systems.

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
• It can be divided into two (2) categories;
a. Psychological behavior
✓ It can be seen from people thought,
perception, beliefs, attitude in a country
✓ Image and silent attitudes indicate their
political views

b. Social Behavior
✓ It can be seen from people actions when
facing certain issues and policies introduced
by the government.

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
❖ This term emerged in 1950s this concept was
introduced because
a) Not satisfied with views which neglected
problems related to culture
b) Not satisfied with cultural views which
neglected political affairs
❖ Political culture can be defined into two aspects
a) First view, limit the political culture to aspects
of race, social groups and individuals
involved in politics.
b) Second view, related to political behavior on
characters and actions of people living in a
certain political system in terms of
psychological aspect, social anthropology
and culture

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
❖It refers to values of judgment of people which are
commonly shared among them.
❖The main values;
1) Power – to judge the worth of the government.
2) Wealth – to judge the worth of the government.
3) Health – people expect the government will
provide equal treatment in terms of health
4) Education - people hope that they will get
equal opportunities in education.
5) Justice - society needs law and justice in the
country.
❖ Political
values ​are different from one country to
other countries

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
❖Politics is also manifested in activities of pressure groups,
esp. in a modern democratic system.
❖There are usually four (4) types of groups;
1) Associational Group → trade unions and chambers of
commerce. They represent the interests of a particular
group
2) Non-associational Groups → activities are not well
organized such as, ethnic, regional and occupational
groups
3) Institutional Groups → military and bureaucracy.
Represented by formal and strong organizational base.
They are attached to the institution of the government.
Eg; civil service, army
Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin
JPS, FPPP 2014
❖ Manifested at three (3) levels of government,
which are
1) Local
2) Provincial
3) National

❖The nature of politics varies according to different

levels
❖The local issues are not the same as the provincial
or national issues.
Eg:
▪ In Canada → provinces have special powers
on provincial matters

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
 The Middle Ages/ medieval era, in Europe
between the fall of Rome in 476 CE and the
beginning of the Renaissance in the 14th century.

❖ At the early stage it was based on individual power in certain

area known as regnum.
❖ Every lord had strength and weakness based on the size of
the army and land. Most of the lords had blood ties with the
King.
❖ Lord was responsible to provide the fighting force to the
King
❖ There existed a strong bond between lord and those working
under him (peasant)

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zqOXN-cuqI
❖Monarchy is a government led by a ruling monarch,
dubbed as the King and subsequently appointed as
Head of State.
❖Monarchy System ;
• It refers to an administrative system which place
the highest power to a certain individual without
taking into consideration the individual ability and
impose no limit to its duration.
• The monarchy is also associated with the King or
kingdom where the King serves as Chief
Executive
• Eg:
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Brunei Darussalam

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
❖The system can be divided into three forms;
a) Absolute Monarchy
• Headed by King, Queen or Kaiser
that are invested with executive,
legislative and judiciary power.

b) Constitutional Monarchy
• The system provides avenues for
people to participate in the country
administration, however their
actions and activities are limited by
the constitution.

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUi7P9ZpmOg
c) Parliamentary Monarchy
• Parliament is the highest source of power.

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
❖ Countries that emphasize administrative Republic
do not have the monarch as the head of state.
Eg: The United States, the Philippines, Sri
Lanka, France, India and Singapore.

❖ Country that implement the Republican

presidential system can also practice or semi-
presidential system

1) Presidential system
▪ The head of state is the president, and he
is also the head of government
Eg: The United States of America, the
Philippines, Indonesia, and South
Korea
Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin
JPS, FPPP 2014
2) Semi-Presidential System

▪ The head of state is the president, but he

is not the person who is the head of
government
▪ The head of state is the Prime Minister
▪ Both the President and the Prime
Minister to take part in the administration
of the country; with separation in power
Eg. France, Sri Lanka, Portugal, Taiwan,
Turkey, Russia, and Peru
❖Dictatorship is a national leader with an absolute power.
❖Dictators usually not democratically elected by the people of his
country, and seize power through violent means. Typically, the
dictator is an army chief or one party dominant state.
❖In Western countries, the term "dictator" is usually associated with
violence and brutal repression.
Eg: Benito Mussolini of Italy
Adolf Hitler of Germany
Idi Amin of Uganda
Francisco Franco, the former Head of State of Spain

Mussolini Hitler, Nazi Party. Leader of Jeneral Idi Amin Dada Oumee Francisco Franco,
Fascist, Italy Nationalist Socialist German Uganda, Military Dictator (1971-1979) autocratic dictatorship
❖The government is elected by the people in a general
election.
❖The political party that has the majority support of the people
forms the government
❖The party that gets the most representatives elected in the
general election has the power to form a government.
❖The concept of "government of the people, by the people and
for the people, shall not perish from the earth".
❖The characteristics of Democratic System includes;
1. The rights of the people guaranteed
2. People are free to speak or produce ideas
3. Free elections are held to elect a government
4. People who reach certain age got the right to vote and
stand in elections
5. Voting in an election is made on a confidential basis
6. A victory in the elections is based on the number of votes
obtained
❖Countries that adopt a democratic
system also adopt the doctrine of
separation of powers
❖There are two types of democratic
countries; Constitutional Monarchy
and Republic.

a. Constitutional Monarchy →
Malaysia, Britain, Thailand, and
Japan

b. Republic → Singapore, India,

Philippines, Congo and the
United States of America

Wan Norhasniah Wan Husin

JPS, FPPP 2014
❖Word caliph means "successor" or "representative" of the
leader of Muslims after the Prophet Muhammad died.
❖Conditions to be appointed as a Caliph (Akad as a caliph);
1. Muslim
2. A man
3. Puberty
4. Sanity (Not Crazy)
5. Justice / fair
6. Freedom (non-slave)
7. Have a capability to lead a country (Daulah Islamiyah)

❖Legal requirements as caliph

1. Eligible as a Caliphate
2. There is a clear region and its people
3. Peace and power in the region was in the hands of the
Muslims, not run by foreigners
4. Implement Islam as a whole
❖In Islam there are four basic systems which emphasized that the title of
caliph;
1. Sovereignty is based on the Islamic principle.
2. Power is in the hands of the Muslims
3. Muslims must appoint a leader anywhere in the Muslim world.
4. Only the leader (Caliph) who may modify and determine the
Shari 'ah Law after exercise the ijtihad (independent reasoning),
consensus and syura

❖Responsibilities of a Caliph towards Muslims

1. Preserving lineage
2. Preserving Reasoning
3. Preserving the Honour
4. Preserving Life (Life) Man
5. Preserving Property
6. Preserving religion
7. Keeping the peace
8. Preserving the country
❖List of caliphs;

1. al-Rasyidun Caliph in Medina

1) Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (632-634 M )
2) Umar Ibn al-Khattab (634-644 M )
3) Uthman bin Affan (644-656 M )
4) Ali ibn Abi Talib (656-661 M )

2. Umayyad caliphate in Damascus

1) Khalifah Muawiyah Ibn AbuSufyan (Muawiyah I) 661-
680 M
2) Khalifah Yazid Ibn Muawiyah (Yazid I) 680-683 M
3) Khalifah Muawiyah Ibn Yazid (Muawiyah II) 683-684 M
4) Khalifah Marwan Ibn al-Hakam (Marwan I) 684-685 M
5) Khalifah Abd al-Malik Ibn Marwan 685-705 M
6) Khalifah al-Walid I Ibn Abd al-Malik 705-715 M
3. The Abbasid caliphate in Baghdad
1) Khalifah Abu Al-Abbas Al-Saffah 750-754 M
2) Khalifah Al-Mansur 754-775 M
3) Khalifah Al-Mahdi 775-785 M
4) Khalifah Al-Hadi 785-786 M
5) Khalifah Harun Al-Rashid 786-809 M
6) Khalifah Al-Amin 809-813 M
7) Khalifah Al-ma’mun 813-833 M ....

4. The Ottoman Caliphate

1) Khalifah Uthman 1281-1326 M
2) Khalifah Orhan I 1326-1359 M
3) Khalifah Murad I 1359-1389 M
4) Khalifah Bayezid I 1389-1402 M

6) Khalifah Mehmed I 1413-1421 M

7) Khalifah Murad II 1421-1444 M
8) Khalifah Mehmed II 1444-1445 M....
❖ Sultan (Arabic: ‫سلطان‬, sulthaanun women: Sultanah) is
an Arabic term which means "king", "ruler", "evidence"
or "proof".
❖ This title was first used in Islam during the reign of the
Abbasid in Baghdad (750-1258).
❖ At first, the authority of the sultan was still limited and
under the caliph, but the subsequent development, the
power of the sultan, even exceeding the authority of
the caliph.
❖ Caliph was merely a symbol, while the administration
was determined by the sultan.
❖ Sultanate title first given by Caliph al-Mu'tasim of
Abbasid dynasty to a Muslim commander named
Asynas in Turkey.
❖ As sultan, Asynas at-Turkey possessed a great
power, but still under and subject to Caliph al-
Mu'tasim. After the death of al-Mutawakkil, the next
inheritors could no longer resist the will of the army of
guards and sultans
❖A military junta is a group of military officers who have taken over
the government of a country by force.
❖A military dictatorship where a single leader usually has all the
power. It is an example of an autocratic dictatorship, different than a
totalitarian dictatorship (eg. Nazi Germany) which is usually caused
by an ideological revolution (Oxford Dictionary, 2010)
❖Military Junta is a government led by a military leader.
❖Coup d'état → (French word), the sudden violent overthrow of an
existing government by a small group.
Eg: i. Napoleon overthrew the government in 1799 and dissolved the
assembly of France Second Republic in 1851
ii. Countries that practiced the rule of the military junta;
▪ South Korea - (1961- 1963)
▪ Nigeria - Military Junta (1966-1979; 1983-1998)
▪ Peru - (Dictatorial Military Government 1968-1980)
▪ Brazil - (Provisional Military Junta 1930; Military Junta 1969)
▪ Chile - (Government Junta 1973-1990)