1. Davies and Lewis have paid a glowing tribute to Karl Deutsch for his communication theory. Let us quote them: “If it should prove possible, as David Easton has suggested, to devise a theory of the behaviour of political phenomena that can provide a complete explanation of the basic processes of those phenomena— whether they be found within the state or beyond its borders—then the work of Karl Deutsch will have constituted one of the major steps in this direction”.
This observation of Davies and Lewis carries sufficient weight and good deal of reason. We all know that Easton, in fact, laid the foundation of general systems theory in its modern form and Deutsch threw his labour, intellect and energy to the cause of its advancement of accuracy. Purpose of both Easton and Deutsch is almost same to build up an acceptable fabric of a new theory which we call general systems theory.
Easton laid emphasis on input output model, feedback mechanism and interactions among the systems on the one hand and interaction between political system and environment. Deutsch did not deny it.
But he started to view political system from a quite different angle. He reminded us of the situation that all the social systems as well as political system are inter connected by a network of communication. Political system works on the basis of communication and in it there is less importance of power and enforcement.
2. Easton applied the methods and techniques of science and anthropology to explain and clarify the political phenomena. By doing this he wanted to establish that political system is an open system and it is characterized by interactions among various systems and environment.
On the other hand, Karl Deutsch applied cybernetics to political system and his analysis abandoned the traditional power theory and other concepts. Deutsch, with the help of cybernetics, has tried to convince us that the growth, change, functioning and other dynamic aspects of political system are largely governed by a system of communication network. People’s behaviour, activities of the political system and many others are controlled by the communication of information and news which pass through the channels.
So we can say that Deutsch’s theory of cybernetics is aimed at building a general systems theory. The formulation devised by Deutsch is simply a formulation of general systems theory. Political system is one of the various systems of society and also a part of the whole environment. Deutsch’s work (The Nerves of Government) can aptly be treated as an elaboration and explanation of some assumption which Easton made in his theory.
The conceptualization made by Easton and Deutsch is a furtherance of “life processes” of political system. The approach of the two stalwarts is different but the objective is the same.
3. Communications theory of Karl Deutsch is very candid and assertive about the nature of political system and relationship of various agencies: (a) How the political system works and in what way news and information pass from one agency or structure to other agency/structure? (b) We also come to know about the capability of political system. These are the two important contributions made by Deutsch.
Though the communication theory or cybernetics has been borrowed from engineering, by applying it to political system, Deutsch has shown to us how the various agencies are interlinked. Here agencies/structures mean institutions and organisations such as political parties, pressure groups etc.
In liberal political system all these have immense importance and these in fact to a large extent manage the political system. Before Deutsch we had an overall conception about a liberal political system but his analysis has opened the nook and corner of the system. Deutsch’s analysis also states that the inflow, outflow of information, its impact upon the system, the decision of the authority in response to the claim and various others related matters help us understand the capability of the system.
The system has self-regulatory mechanism no doubt but the ability to respond is also important. If the system is weak that is not capable of responding to the elements coming out of the environment, ultimately chaos and trouble will characterize society.
4. Easton’s analysis enabled us to be acquainted with the idea that political system is an open system and Deutsch’s analysis has furthered that formulation. Easton analysed the actions and reactions among the systems and the impact of the elements (originating from the environment) upon the political system. Admitting this Deutsch has further pointed out that the communication network is of vital importance.
If this fails the system will not work or even if it works that will not be up to satisfaction. The successful working of cybernetics also leads us to conclude that the political system is dynamic which means it is always in an unstable position.
At one point the equilibrium is reached and in the next moment that equilibrium position is disturbed and a new equilibrium appears—and in this way political system works. Deutsch calls it unstable equilibrium, which means equilibrium changes.
5. From Deutsch’s analysis we come to gather several other concepts such as growth, social change etc. These are very well-known terms and economists, political scientists, sociologists and many other persons including Marx have dealt with these concepts with a lot of erudition and finesse. But Deutsch’s analysis is a class by itself.
He has entered into the true nature and depth of the working of political system. The cybernetics makes it an assurance that the political system is always working that is it is in operation in order to cope with the challenges.
It is interesting to note that the use of political power, enforcement of decision, threat to the use of force etc. are not recognised by Karl Deutsch. All these might have an importance in the management of system, but changes and growth are occasioned by the communication mechanism.
Neither Gabriel Almond nor Karl Deutsch see any reason in Marxian concept of social change caused by class struggle or revolution. In the opinion of Deutsch, power is an aspect of politics but it never constitutes the core of it.
The communication theory propounded by Deutsch can be treated as a tool of social change but such a change is different from change envisaged by Marx. Deutsch’s tool professes to keep the liberal structure intact.
6. It has been claimed by some that communications theory is very much particular and limited. It concentrates its attention upon the working of the political system. Others are of the view that Deutsch’s theory is still in its embryonic stage. It requires detailed examination and development.
More hypotheses are to be constructed, more and more data and facts are to be collected, and the functions of the groups and organisations are to be verified with the help of more data. Deutsch has simply built up some hypotheses but these are not enough.
The theory is itself very attractive but the attractiveness does not justify the worth and widest acceptability. Larger amount of scientific methods are to be pressed into service so that the communications theory can acquire a good position in political science. It has certain shortcomings, but the theory itself is attractive.