Political structures refer to the organized systems and frameworks through which power and authority are exercised in a society. These structures can vary widely, encompassing different forms of governance such as democracy, monarchy, and authoritarianism. Each structure defines how leaders are chosen, how laws are made, and how citizens participate in the political process. Understanding political structures is crucial for analyzing how societies function and how decisions are made. For instance, in a democratic system, citizens have the right to vote and influence government policies, while in a dictatorship, power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group, limiting public participation.