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Issues in Comparative Politics

Issues in Comparative Politics. Concepts and Themes. Introduction. One goal of a course in comparative politics is to expose students to a variety of political systems while identifying the similarities of these systems. In other words…how is politics the same within diverse settings?.

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Issues in Comparative Politics

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  1. Issues in Comparative Politics Concepts and Themes

  2. Introduction • One goal of a course in comparative politics is to expose students to a variety of political systems while identifying the similarities of these systems. • In other words…how is politics the same within diverse settings?

  3. Themes in Comparative Politics • Sources of Public Authority and Political Power • Relationships between States and Societies • Relationships between Citizens and States • Political Institutions and Frameworks • Political Change • The Comparative Method

  4. Public Authority and Power • What are the different constitutional, ideological, and social bases of political legitimacy? • Great Britain • China • Nigeria • How have the governments of these nations secured legitimacy in the eyes of their citizens? • What role does political culture play?

  5. Relationship between State and Society • Societies divide into social and economic classes, ethnic and religious groups and linguistic communities. • How do these divisions affect politics? • India • Nigeria • Russia

  6. Relationships between Citizens and States • What are the variety of roles played by citizens in different types of states? • How do institutions mediate between state and society? • Some are autonomous organizations (USA, Great Britain) • In corporatist systems these institutions could be more closely aligned with the state. • Voting, protest, litigation, campaign activities?

  7. Political Institutions and Frameworks • What are the functions of governmental institutions in different countries? • Do the political functions of armies vary from country to country? • What does it mean that Britain does not have a system of separation of powers? • Ex: Judicial Review versus parliamentary sovereignty • Political parties in different countries… roles?; how do they vary?; what is the impact on any given political system?; two party versus multiparty systems? • How do voting systems vary across political systems and why is it important? E.g. election rules

  8. Political Change • Social, economic, political forces have a direct impact on political change • What are the sources, scope and consequences of political change in different countries? • What are the causes of social revolution? • French, Mexican, Russian, Chinese Revolutions? • Impact of Marxist ideology on Chinese and Russian revolutionary politics? • What were the causes and results of the collapse of communist party rule in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe? • Political and economic integration or disintegration among and within countries?

  9. How do we study Politics? • Normative approach – “what should be” • Empirical approach – “what is” • Experimental method • Case study method • Statistical method • Comparative method

  10. Experimental Method • Involves manipulation of variables • Manipulation of one variable to observe its effect on another variable • Difficult to do in political research • Questions tend to be too broad, ability to control the environment too limited • Eg: can’t have two sets of presidential elections going on simultaneously

  11. Case Study • Intensive study of individual cases • Micro level – focus on individuals • Macro level – focus on groups • Investigator selects a single case: nation, voter, election, political structure – and studies it. • Case study method allows the development of expertise in what one studies – limited

  12. Statistical Method • More sophisticated forms of measurement and observation • Public opinion polls, survey research • The quantitative approach to measurement makes understanding what “is” more accurate…helps with prediction if we have enough information to determine patterns

  13. Comparative Method • Two or more case studies put together • Focus on a particular structure or behavior and put it in comparative context • Look for similarities and differences in different settings • Compare in one setting but across time • Eg: legislature in 1945 versus legislature in 2002

  14. Comparative Method • Classification of regimes • Logic and propriety of comparative study • Problems of cross-cultural and translinguistic analysis. • Comparisons of political experiences, cultures and institutions in different countries • Distinguish between cultural stereotypes and claims of uniqueness and move toward developing generalizable claims about specific political relationships.

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