Informal and formal political systemss?

Question

can someone describe both form of systems and give some comparison? thanks.

informal=tribe formal=state

Answer 1

Informal political systems lack codified codes of law and government.  Examples would be present in band and tribe level societies.  These groups are usually kin based and represent extended families (band) and gatherings of extended families usually linked by inter-marriage (tribes).  In these societies decisions are made by consensus or by an informal leader who only retains the right to lead as long as they continue to provide the services needed by the group.  Often times for men this is a hunt leader.  He has the right to determine when hunting expeditions will go out, what they will hunt, where the hunts take place and who goes.  He retains this right as long a he provides meat for the group.  Should he fail to do this or should the other hunters lose faith in him he will lose this he will lose his position and be replaced by someone who is believed more capable.

Formal political systems are the ones most people today are more familiar with.  Governmental structures and institutions, bureaucracy, offices and officers.  These systems have codified laws and regulated methods of conduct including the appointment/election of officials.  These systems are present in chiefdom and state level societies.  Examples include Monarchy, Democracy, Despotism, Communism, etc.  Even societies such as the !Kung San of Africa or the Yanomami of South America which have informal political systems fall under formal systems of the state or states in which they live and usually have adopted at least some aspects of formal political systems to deal with the nation-states.

Answer 2

Unwritten constitutions are INFORMAL, INFLEXIBLE(punishment for violtion is inescable and often harsh.)  They are also ORIGINAL, rooted in traditions dating back to the hoary past and passed from generation to generation through word of mouth.

Written constitutions on the other hand are FORMAL,  AMENDABLE(look at the no. of amendments to any written constitution!), FLEXIBLE(you can get away with murder or worse if you have a good lawyer) and ECLECTIC - culled from other written constitutions.