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POL 312 Comparative Politics

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POL 312 Comparative Politics

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  1. This course intends to examine different political systems from a structural-functional perspective. Why are there different political systems in the world? Are there any similarities between them? How can political systems be examined? While seeking answers to these questions, this course also intends to develop students’ methodological skills. After providing comparative theoretical and methodological base, the second part of the course examines different political systems in the world such as the United States, France, Russia, India, Nigeria U.K, Brazil and China. POL 312 Comparative Politics

  2. Chapter 1Comparative Political Systems 1. Issues in Comparative Politics Structural Framework and Main definitions: Definition of politics, government, governance, state, sovereignty, nation, nationalism, interdependence, power, legitimacy, legality.

  3. Basis of Authority Max Weber analyzed the 3 ways of validating political power: • 1. Traditional • This authority is based on what has always existed. • 2. Charismatic • The leaders are obeyed because they inspire thier followers. • 3. Legal rational • Obedinece is through principles and rules rather than individuals.

  4. Benefits of Comparative Approach • 1. Oldest, simplest and best way of learning. • 2. Helps to formulate hypothesis • 3. Helps to make predictions • 4. Helps to make generalizations

  5. First comparisons: • 1. Democratic and Authoritarian States • Key elements of authoritarian regimes (illiberal and undemocratic) • Key elements of democratic regimes: • 2. Consolidated and Transitional States • Stable vs. Ustable • 3. Developed and Developing States • High living standards vs. Low living standards

  6. Chapter 2:Democracy • Definition of Democracy • Types of Democracy 1. Ideal Democracy 2. Libreal Democracy 3. Semi Democracy • Conditions of Democracy a) Modernizaqtion Framework b) Historical Approach

  7. Chapter 5:Political Participation • Definition of Political Participation • Patterns of Participation • 1. Liberal Democracies: Voluntary participation • 2. Comunist States: Regimented Participation • 3. Developing Countries Patron Client

  8. Case Studies: INDIA(Test Bank to accompany Roskin, Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography, Culture, 2009 by Pearson Education) Political Structure Like many former British colonies, India adopted a parliamentary democracy Has survived many challenges including political change, societal change and wars

  9. Decentralization of power: • 1.The President • The office combines ceremonial roles with some substantive powers Power formally vested in the president, and he is expected to exercise these powers on the advice of the Council of Ministers, with the prime minister at its head. 2. The Prime Minister Controls and coordinates the departments of government and determines policy through the submission of a program for parliamentary action

  10. Political Institutions: The Parliament 1. Upper House – the Rajya Sabha: (the Council of States) It has some features of the U.S. Senate (India is a federation) 2. Lower House – Lok Sabha: (House of the People) 545 members; 543 are directly elected and two are nominated by the president of India. Simple majority; single member constituencies; 5 year term.Designed to be an instrument of democratic accountability

  11. Political Institutions: The Judiciary Constitution committed to individual rights of equality and liberty System that is both independent from external control and free to interpret the law. Supreme Court has original and exclusive jurisdiction in disputes between the Union government and one or more states, or disputes between two or more states Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of any enactment.

  12. Main Political Parties: 1. The Congress System The Congress Party: Congress Party cuts across all social groups and cleavages of India; catch-all party 2. The Bharatiya Janata Party Hindu nationalist BJP is very much a party of the Hindu-Hindi-belt – has extended somewhat beyond the upper social order and Hindu upper caste. 3. The Communist Party Communist parties (CPM and CPI) attracts more support from lower social classes and the more educated voters.

  13. Case Studies: China • Structure of the Party State • Guardianship • Describes the main relationship between the Communist Party and society • Representation of “historical best interests” • Mass line

  14. Party Organization • Democratic centralism – Leninist principle • Refers mainly to consultation: opportunities for discussion, criticism, and proposals in party organizations • Two Hierarchies, with Party Leadership • Division of labor between party and government structures

  15. Government Structures • 1. National People’s Congress (NPC) – legislative • 2. State Council-executive functions • 3. Communist Party Leadership • 4. Judiciary: • Supreme People’s Court • Supreme People’s Procuratorate

  16. Party Structures • National Party Congress • Central Committee: • Exercises the powers of the congress between sessions • Chinese political elites • Politburo: Politburo Standing Committee • Top Leader and the Succession Problem • Party Bureaucracy

  17. Islamic Republic of Iran • World’s only theocracy • A form of government in which ideally all laws are grounded in religion and express the will of God, and the clergy exercises supreme power • Established in 1979 • Religious and secular people overthrew Mohammad-RezaShah Pahlavi – the last ruler of the country’s monarchy. • Ruholla Khomeini –led the 1979 revolution

  18. Institutions of the Islamic Republic • Multiple power centers • Leader • Highest authority in the Islamic Republic • Assembly of Experts • Choose the Leader • President • Elected by universal suffrage every four years • Must be a Twelver Shiite and a male; does not have to be a cleric

  19. Parliament • Unicameral, the Majles, comprises about 290 members • Must be Muslims but the Constitution provides for five members of Parliament to represent Christians (3), Jews (one) and Zoroastrians (one) • Council of Guardians • Six members of the ulema and six lay Muslim lawyers. • Expediency Council • “A council for determination of what is in the interest of the regime”

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