Structural Functionlism Theory

In any semipolitical system atomic number 18 structures that fall in different functions to ensure an effective and smooth running of things in that particular political system. This is why this essay will discuss the problems faced by opposite word political parties in Zambia using the morphologic functionalist theory. First it will explain what structural functionalism is, then it will define structures, functions, a political party and an contrary party then before giving the conclusion it will discuss the problems faced by opposer parties in Zambia.Johari (2011) defines structural functionalism as a mean of explaining what political structures perform what basic functions in a political system, it is a tool around of investigation. Macions and Gerber (201014) states this approach looks at society through a macro-level orientation, which is a colossal focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole and by this society evolves like organisms. According to Joh ari (201173) functions deal with the consequences involving objectives as sanitary as processes of the patterns of action, Structures refer to those arrangements within the system which perform the functions.For vitrine the police atomic number 18 a structure within the political system that entertain a function of maintaining peace and order. In the concept of functions, three basic questions argon involved- what basic functions are discharged in any given system, by what instruments those functions are performed and under what conditions the performance of these functions are done,(Ibid). Merton (195751) says functions are those observed consequences which make for the rendering or re-adjustment of a given system and dysfunctions those observed consequences which lessen the adaptation or adjustment of the system.A political party is a body of men united for promoting the national interests on some particular article of beliefs in which they are all agreed. It is overly defi ned as a group of men professing the same political doctrine. These parties perform a lot of functions. Political parties unite, change and stabilise the political process. They strain to widen the interests they represent and harmonise interests with each separate. They provide a link between the governance and the people. Easton (1965) adds on political parties seek to educate, instruct and activate the electorate.That is they perform the job of political mobilisation, secularisation and recruitment. Usually in a political system the government is under the control of a political party. If a political party does not have control of the government but have seats in the parliament then it is an underground party which means it opposes the government. An antonym party carriers with it all the functions of a political party. Opposition parties are there to check the smooth running of government, in other words they offer checks and balances to the government.In Zambias political system are different structures that perform different functions that affect the resister parties. Among these is the general assembly that comprises of the president, cabinet ministers and members of parliament overly known as the national congregation. Its function is to make justnesss that benefit the society as a whole. When a bill is read in the national assembly it has to be supported by the majority of the house in order for it to become a virtue. Mainly the opposition reject bills that they find not adapted for the society.But of late in Zambia the president has appointed opposition members of parliament to save as cabinet ministers in government which leads to some of them being expelled from their respective political parties. This affects the opposition because a party is supposed to form a government based on its own ideology, (Ibid), therefore when the opposition members of parliament are brought into government they study to adopt and adapt to the public opini on partys ideology hence disadvantaging the opposition when it comes to decision making in the national assembly.The Media is also another structure involved with the dissemination of information to the society. According to Almond and Powell (1966) a political party needs to communicate with the electorate. E truly time opposition parties receive coverage in an article, have their face on television or their voice on radio, they assume that they increase their chances among potential voters. In Zambia further instead of the media being one of the means of popularity exposure for opposition parties, it tends not to give them enough time because of the media being influenced by government.Zambian Economist (accessed on 17. 12. 13) states if the condense was free we would for example expect high degree of information compared to a government controlled media. Hence this becomes a problem for the opposition. The Judiciary has a function of enforcing the law and making sure the rule o f law is observed. The Zambia Reports (accessed on 9. 12. 13) states UPND chairperson for Tourism and Culture Ephraim Belemus said Acting Chief Justice Chibesakunda was compromised and her continued stay at the helm of the Judiciary had proved costly to the justice system of the country.From this quotation we can tell that in Zambia the opposition political parties have been conclude from making meaningful contribution to the nation. This absence of effective participation in the political process is a very serious limitation that Zambian opposition parties face. The executive director is in charge of implementing the law and is headed by the president. When a law is do in parliament it has to be ratified by the chief executive officer who happens to be the president.In some cases and in a democratic nation per say the president ratifies laws that are not in favour of the opposition for example in Zambia as the Electoral Institution for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (accessed o n 10. 12. 13) reports in May 1996 the Zambian constitution was amended, a presidential scene needs to be Zambian by birth this disadvantaged the opposition parties present then like UNIP and its president Dr Kenneth Kaunda is not Zambian by birth.Having discussed the problems of these structural functions on the opposition political parties, it is important that we also discuss how these problems can be improved. To start with the legislature, being a law effecting body Sisson and Snowis (1975) states the involvement of the legislature in the making of the law must be considered their central and most fundamental function. In this case both the opposition and the ruling parties need to participate effectively because the end results should not only benefit a particular party but the society as a whole.Modern or modernising societies assume that the legislative institutions ought to serve as auxiliaries in the mobilisation of public support for policies, (Ibid), as such members of p arliament (MPs) including opposition MPs should be funded to mature their constituencies. The media should be free from any form of cossetion or any limitation, government if anything should invest in the media so as to allow it disseminate prime(prenominal) information to the nation at large. Unlike The Zambian situation were the Zambian Economist (accessed on 17. 12. 13) on March 17, 2013 referred to the Zambian media as a corrupt media, the media should bebias free, it should also give the opposition parties just as much attention as it gives the ruling party to allow the opposition share their views about government proceedings and its policies to allow them penetrate to all parts of the nation. The media plays a big function in the popularisation of the parties that wish to form a government in the future. For example the Post Newspaper is seen to have played a big role in the coming into power of the Ruling Patriotic Front (PF) because it made the party popular to the natio n through its publications when the PF was in opposition.The Judiciary is a mechanism for the resolution of disputes and Zambia being a democratic country the judgeship should be able to provide the opposition with legal support. Under the separation of powers, the judiciary does not make laws its the melt of the legislature neither does it implement the law which is the work of the Executive rather it interprets the law and applies it to the facts of each case. According to Garner (1952) justice means punishment to the wrong doer. The major task of the judiciary is to ensure equal justice under the law.Ball (1971) states The judges may be nominated by the head of state, this does not mean the judges work for the head of state or the president they work to ensure that there is fair justice within the society. The decision of the courts contribute the element of legitimacy to the outputs of the government. olibanum it becomes essential that the behaviour of the courts must not be obstructive or destructive so that the smooth running of the organisation becomes a problem, (Ibid). accordingly the judiciary needs to be as independent as possible, this would allow free participation of the opposition in the political process.The Executive as its very name indicates, the first and foremost function of the executive is to run the administration of the country. In accordance with Johari (2011) the maintenance of internal peace and order should be the principle function for which the government should be established. For this purpose the executive keeps the police force that acts under its command, it should maintain defence forces to serve the country against external aggressions. The executives concern should be to formulate national policies for domestic as well external purposes.All these functions of the Executive should benefit the society as well as opposition political parties, for example since the police force is under its command the opposition should be provided with the police service when they go to hold their rallies and campaigns. In conclusion, opposition parties in Zambia are faced with many structural functional problems some of which have been named in the discussion above, members of the opposition political parties are being lost to the ruling party to benefit their desire of having the overall decision making, and legislative work is purely dominated by the ruling party.The media is a very important tool of investigation in the political process in that it provides the society of the happenings around if it is restricted to publish certain information by the government, society will have no means of knowing the wrongs of government making it difficult for opposition parties to provide checks and balances. The judiciary is heavily monitored by the ruling party giving no freedom to opposition parties to effectively participate in the political process. The Executive is also biased in the implementation of the law.