Final answer:
Political scientists use political models to describe and understand political institutions, examining their functions, interactions, and power distributions within different political systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political scientists use political models to describe various aspects of political systems and behaviors. One particular element they attempt to understand and characterize using these models is the political institution. These models help to explain how political institutions, which include the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, interact with each other and with other elements of society, such as public opinion, political parties, and elections. By doing so, political scientists aim to uncover patterns and make predictions regarding the political behavior and interactions within and across different political systems.
The use of political models to describe political institutions is similar to how a scientist would use theories and experiments to understand natural phenomena. Through these models, political scientists can analyze how institutions function, how they balance the needs of the constituency and the nation, and how power is distributed amid democratic or authoritarian regimes.