ABSTRACT
Structural theory suffered from being too closely linked to legal theory. The healthy development of structural theory implies the combination of various approaches; the common concern of those who think politically seems indeed to lead new research in such a direction, as can increasingly be seen by the unco-ordinated but lively development of comparative work which has been the main means of analysis in the field of structures. Structural theory has been concerned to delineate the basic relationships between a variety of structures which contribute to form what might be termed – perhaps with some exaggeration – a ‘harmonious’ political system. Legal analysis suggests a clear-cut definition of institutions and procedures; tradition, on the contrary, suggests greater vagueness. While historically minded political scientists may stress the need for a contextual approach, this approach is so general that it soon seems to lead to unrealistic standpoints.
