Describe the following political ideologies Liberalism Communism Socialism
Describe the following political ideologies: Liberalism Communism Socialism Fascism
Types of Change Reform Revolution Coup d’etat
Attitude to towards Change Radicalism Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary Beliefs
Social Cleavages Give an example of each type of cleavage Social Class Ethnic cleavages Religious cleavages Regional cleavages Coinciding and cross-cutting cleavages
Types of Governmental distribution of power Define and give an example of each Unitary Federal Confederal
How do the following affect unity in a country? Nationalism Devolution
What tools do we use to compare… Economics Performance Social Welfare Civil Liberties
Describe the following Electoral Systems Plurality System Proportional Representation Mixed System
Interest Groups can be thought of as Transmission Belts Corporatism State Societal Interest Group Pluralism
Introducing Comparative Politics CHAPTER 1
Section One: The Global Challenge of Comparative Politics Current 1989 era of world politics is marked by critical junctures – Fall of Berlin Wall End of Cold War/beginning of current era Soviet Union weakened grip on East Central Europe - end of Cold War Failure of communism as an alternative to liberal democracy – democracy won 1989 brought three important changes End of bipolar world Triumph of liberal democracy Gateway to globalization
2001 Forced rethinking of globalization; switched from economic and political impacts of globalization to terrorism and security Although terrorism existed previously, the scale of these attacks was larger Not isolated Resulted in changes to global alliances, foreign and domestic policies Triggered United States response with lasting consequences
2008 – Price of crude oil topped $140 per barrel Oil fuels global economy: impact harder on low income High price reflects four factors Finite supply of petroleum Competition India for petroleum has increased: China and Many major petroleum exporters have unstable regimes More dollars needed to purchase oil World-wide recession; high cost of oil has Impacted billions at low income levels Risen costs of transportation and food Given global awareness to climate change
Globalization and Comparative Politics Globalization or global era: used to identify the growing depth, extent, and diversity of cross-border connections – deals with: Economic Activities Movement of people New applications of information technology Has created new types of international governance (supranational organizations like EU, WTO, and NAFTA Grassroots movements have challenged globalization States can no longer act in isolation and sovereignty challenged by internal and external forces
Section 2: What and How Comparative Politics Compares Modern comparative politics studies who holds power and how that impacts the domestic policies of countries or people Is NOT international relations Focuses on selected institutions and processes when analyzing similarities and differences among countries Empirical data – but be careful! Normative information May compare institutions, policies, or processes Also look at causation – independent and dependent variables – and if there is any correlation
Comparison of Countries Three New world approach was old trend looks at: Impact of informal politics on policy making and civil society Importance Integration Book of political change of political and economic systems looks at: Advanced democracies Communist Less and post communist countries developed and newly industrializing countries
Casual Theories Social science has to measure people with free will so many not act in rational manner So how do they find information? They use theories! Look for patterns, mechanisms, structures Choice approach theory looks to explain outcomes by looking at effects of individuals and learning about their decision making process Rational Choice Theory – use deductive and quantitative methods Middle-Level Theory – looks at features they can compare without assuming processes are identical
Section Three: Themes for Comparative Analysis Theme 1 – World of States The State is the primary political institution in the exercise of power BUT has been affected by globalization cannot shape world as it desires cannot achieve aims autonomously are affected by external influences technology, immigration, cultural diffusion impact domestic policies and challenge state supremacy states may collapse when rulers are challenged or violate rule of law – called a “failed state” States are building blocks in world politics and it is important to analyze the variations between the states
Theme II – Governing the Economy Ability to ensure adequate delivery of goods and services to the people affects state’s ability to maintain sovereignty How a state “governs the economy” is key element in overall pattern of governance – its political economy is important because believed that states’ domestic and international economy affects its politics No agreement on best way to manage economy but is agreement on practices that hinder economic development Dishonesty, corruption, high tax rates, failure to provide public goods More countries emphasizing sustainable development Measurement of economy done with GDP, GNP, PPP, and GDP per capita Social welfare is measured by Gini Index, Human Development Index, and Freedom House
Theme III – The Democratic Idea Outstanding political development recently is spread of democracy Little consensus on how or why it spreads No one path to democracy – come to it for many reasons Necessary or sufficient conditions for democracy: secure national borders, stable state, minimum level of economic development, acceptance of democratic values, agreement on rules, Institutional design Displacing authoritarian regimes and holding elections doesn’t guarantee democracy Transitional democracy Consolidated Citizens democracy may use social movements to target the state for change
Theme IV – The Politics of Collective Identity Used to think social class was the most important source of collective identity but today non-class identities growing in significance: especially religion Involves struggle to mobilize groups to be politically influential Issues about collective identities never fully settled Identity-based conflicts appear in every multiethnic society Religion is an important source of collective identity and a source of conflict Can impact a country’s distributional politics
Section Four: Classifying Political Systems Over two hundred states with distinctive political regimes so create typology to facilitate comparison within and between types of states but are artificial constructs Most Similar Most Different Authors suggest basing typology on extent to which governments are democratic: but is this fair? (to view at home if interested) Consolidated Transitional democracies Authoritarian regimes
What is the meaning of democracy? Debate over meaning of Democracy but rough consensus is Free and fair elections Political parties free to compete Government developed rules that include transparency, due process, and accountability Civil and political rights and liberties for all citizens Independent judiciary Elected government exercises supreme power Conflicts will be resolved peacefully Qualifications: Doesn’t claim electoral outcomes rational or equitable No government has fully lived up to democratic standards Interpretation, implementation of features politically contentious Economic inequalities influence politics Political institutions vary
Section 5: Organization of the Text Each country case study has common section and subsection heading to help reader make comparisons 1. Making of the Modern State = Sovereignty, Authority, and Power (20%) Power organized into states and include institutions State is related to a nation and nationalism is the sense of belonging There are many kinds of states: multinational, binational, stateless, multicore States have sovereignty and regimes: organized into executive, legislative, and judiciary Ruling regime must have legitimacy based on: tradition, charismatic leader, or rational-legal means (common or code law) – encouraged by numerous factors State formation explains why states differ politically Nation-states do exist
Section 5: Organization of the Text Forms of Democracy: Direct Indirect Parliamentary System – separation of head of state and head of government Presidential System Semi-presidential system Authoritarian Regimes: Decision made by political elites Some based on communism Some practice corporatism : business/labor leaders or patron-client systems Is a legitimate form of government and not to be confused with totalitarianism Can also take from of coup d'état with military rule
Corporatism – business, labor, or interest group bargains with state over economic policy Makes them seem less authoritarian but limits input from special interest groups Less structured way to do this is patron-clientism State gives benefits or favors to single person or small group Pluralism – power split among groups competing to influence government Democratic corporatism vs. democratic pluralism Political Culture: consensual vs. conflictual Political Ideologies: Liberalism Communism Socialism Fascism religion
2. Political Economy and Development = Political and Economic Change (15%) – economy essential for analyzing politics Types Reform – no overthrow of basic institutions Revolution Coup – major revisions or overthrow d'états – “blow to the state” Attitudes toward change Radicalism Liberalism – rapid change – reform and gradual change Conservativism Reactionary – less supportive of change – return to previous era Three Trends Democratization: Move liberal vs. illiberal democracies to Market Economy Fragmentation
3. Governance and Policy Making = Political Institutions (35%) Levels of government Unitary Confederal Federal Supranational organizations: due to globalization Centripetal vs. centrifugal forces due to ethnic, economic, and spatial reasons (fought with devolution) State institutions governed by Executive (leader, cabinet, bureaucracies) Legislative Judiciary change (bicameral vs. unicameral) (constitutional courts and power of judicial review) also initiated by linkage institutions like: parties, elections, interest groups
4. 5. Representation and Participation = Citizens, Society, and the State (15%) Social cleavages: social class, ethnic, religious, regional, coinciding and cross cutting Ways to compare the citizen/state relationship: political efficacy, political socialization, types of political participation, voting behavior, factors that influence political beliefs/behaviors, level of transparency Social movements Civil society Public Policy (10%) Economic performance TRUST ME: Social welfare Soon… this will all make sense! Civil liberties Political rights Political freedoms environment
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