Comparative government and politics

COMPARATIVE COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT AND

POLITICSPOLITICS

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

WHAT IS COMPARATIVE WHAT IS COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS?GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS?

GOVERNMENT:GOVERNMENT: leadership and leadership and institutions that make policy institutions that make policy decisions for the country.decisions for the country.

POLITICSPOLITICS: All about power. Who : All about power. Who gets it? How? What do they do with gets it? How? What do they do with it?it?

WHAT IS COMPARATIVE WHAT IS COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS?GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS?

TOPICSTOPICS for Each Country Under for Each Country Under Consideration:Consideration: The Comparative MethodThe Comparative Method Sovereignty, Authority and PowerSovereignty, Authority and Power Political and Economic ChangePolitical and Economic Change Citizens, Society and the StateCitizens, Society and the State Political InstitutionsPolitical Institutions Public PolicyPublic Policy

TOPIC ONE: THE TOPIC ONE: THE COMPARATIVE METHODCOMPARATIVE METHOD

Scientific MethodScientific Method THREE WORLD APPROACHTHREE WORLD APPROACH (PRE (PRE

1990)1990) 11STST – The United States and its Allies – The United States and its Allies 22ndnd – The Soviet Union and its Allies – The Soviet Union and its Allies 33rdrd – Economically underdeveloped and – Economically underdeveloped and

deprived. Did not fit into the other two deprived. Did not fit into the other two categories.categories.


Newer Types of Comparisons Newer Types of Comparisons 1. 1. Impact of Informal PoliticsImpact of Informal Politics

Civil Society – the way that citizens organize Civil Society – the way that citizens organize and define themselves and their interests.and define themselves and their interests.

Informal politics – ways politicians behavior Informal politics – ways politicians behavior outside their formal powers as well as outside their formal powers as well as beliefs, values, and actions of ordinary beliefs, values, and actions of ordinary citizens have on policymaking.citizens have on policymaking.


2. 2. Importance of Political ChangeImportance of Political Change The nature of world politics has changed. The nature of world politics has changed. Three World Approach not needed Three World Approach not needed

anymore.anymore.

3.3. The Integration of Political and Economic The Integration of Political and Economic ChangeChange

- Linking of the political and economic - Linking of the political and economic systems. For Example: Communism and systems. For Example: Communism and Capitalism.Capitalism.


Groups With Similar Political and Groups With Similar Political and Economic Institutions and Practices:Economic Institutions and Practices:

ADVANCED DEMOCRACIES – Well ADVANCED DEMOCRACIES – Well established democratic governments and established democratic governments and high level of economic development.high level of economic development.

Great BritainGreat Britain United States of AmericaUnited States of America European Union Included in this discussion.European Union Included in this discussion.


Communist and Post-Communist Communist and Post-Communist CountriesCountries – Limited individual – Limited individual freedom in order to divide wealth freedom in order to divide wealth more equally.more equally.

Russia – Post-Communist CountryRussia – Post-Communist Country China – Communist CountryChina – Communist Country


Less Developed and Newly Less Developed and Newly Industrializing (or developing) Industrializing (or developing) Countries – “Third World”Countries – “Third World” Some are experiencing rapid growth, Some are experiencing rapid growth,

tendency toward democratization and tendency toward democratization and social/political stability. Examples are social/political stability. Examples are Mexico and Iran.Mexico and Iran.

Lesser Developed countries lack Lesser Developed countries lack significant economic development and significant economic development and may have authoritarian governments. may have authoritarian governments. Example is Nigeria.Example is Nigeria.

TOPIC TWO: SOVEREIGNTY, TOPIC TWO: SOVEREIGNTY, AUTHORITY, AND POWERAUTHORITY, AND POWER

StatesStates are countries that control what are countries that control what happens within their borders.happens within their borders.

InstitutionInstitutions are long lasting, stable s are long lasting, stable organizations that help to turn political organizations that help to turn political ideas into policy.ideas into policy.

SovereigntySovereignty is the ability to carry out is the ability to carry out actions or policies within their borders actions or policies within their borders without interference.without interference.

NationalismNationalism – Sense of belonging to the – Sense of belonging to the nation that binds people together.nation that binds people together.

DemocraciesDemocracies Indirect vs. DirectIndirect vs. Direct Parliamentary vs. PresidentialParliamentary vs. Presidential

ParliamentaryParliamentary – citizens vote for legislative – citizens vote for legislative representatives who select the leaders of the representatives who select the leaders of the executive branch. Head of Governmentexecutive branch. Head of Government

Presidential Presidential – citizens vote for legislative – citizens vote for legislative representatives and the executive branch who representatives and the executive branch who function within a system of function within a system of separation of separation of powerspowers and and checks and balanceschecks and balances. Head of . Head of State State andand Head of Government. Head of Government.

Semi-Presidential Semi-Presidential – Prime Minister coexists – Prime Minister coexists with a president elected by the power and has with a president elected by the power and has power. (example is Russia)power. (example is Russia)

Authoritarian RegimesAuthoritarian Regimes

Decisions made by political Decisions made by political ELITES.ELITES. Ruled by single dictator, hereditary Ruled by single dictator, hereditary

monarch, small group of aristocrats, or monarch, small group of aristocrats, or single political party.single political party.

State CorporatismState Corporatism – Government – Government officials interact with people/groups officials interact with people/groups outside of government before making outside of government before making decisions.decisions.

Patron-Client SystemPatron-Client System – Reciprocal – Reciprocal favors and services to supporters.favors and services to supporters.


Characteristics of Authoritarian Characteristics of Authoritarian RegimesRegimes Small group of elites with power over the Small group of elites with power over the

state.state. Citizens with little or no input into the Citizens with little or no input into the

selection of leaders and decisions of selection of leaders and decisions of government.government.

No constitutional responsibility of leaders No constitutional responsibility of leaders to the public.to the public.

Restriction of Civil Rights and Civil Restriction of Civil Rights and Civil LibertiesLiberties


Totalitarianism Totalitarianism – Term used to describe a – Term used to describe a particularly detested regime with a strong particularly detested regime with a strong ideological goal (communism).ideological goal (communism).

Military RegimesMilitary Regimes – Military intervention – Military intervention into politics in a country where letimacy is into politics in a country where letimacy is low and stability is in question. low and stability is in question. Lacks specific ideology with noncharasmatic Lacks specific ideology with noncharasmatic

leaders. May join forces with state bureaucracy leaders. May join forces with state bureaucracy to form an authoritarian regime.to form an authoritarian regime.

Not opposed to use of force Not opposed to use of force COUP D’ETATCOUP D’ETAT..

CORPORATISMCORPORATISM

CORPORATISM CORPORATISM – Method through which – Method through which business, labor, and/ or other interest groups business, labor, and/ or other interest groups bargain with the state over economic policy.bargain with the state over economic policy.

STATE CORPORATISMSTATE CORPORATISM – Eliminates any – Eliminates any input from groups not sanctioned or created input from groups not sanctioned or created by the state.by the state.

PATRON-CLIENTELISMPATRON-CLIENTELISM – system in which – system in which the state provides specific benefits or favors the state provides specific benefits or favors to a single person or group for their support.to a single person or group for their support.

CORPORATISM CORPORATISM

PLURALISMPLURALISM – Power split among many – Power split among many groups with a chance to influence groups with a chance to influence decisions.decisions.

DEMOCRATIC CORPORATISMDEMOCRATIC CORPORATISM Formation of interest groups is Formation of interest groups is

spontaneous.spontaneous. Dialogue between interest groups and the Dialogue between interest groups and the

state is voluntary.state is voluntary. Develop institutionalized and legally binding Develop institutionalized and legally binding

links with the state becoming semi-public links with the state becoming semi-public agencies limiting freedom of people.agencies limiting freedom of people.

LEGITIMACYLEGITIMACY

The right to rule; given by the people.The right to rule; given by the people. Three Forms of AuthorityThree Forms of Authority::

1. 1. Traditional AuthorityTraditional Authority – Tradition should – Tradition should decide who will rule and how.decide who will rule and how.

2. 2. Charismatic AuthorityCharismatic Authority – based on dynamic – based on dynamic personality of a leader or small group.personality of a leader or small group.

3. 3. Rational-Legal AuthorityRational-Legal Authority – Based on a – Based on a system of well-established laws and procedures.system of well-established laws and procedures.

Common LawCommon Law – Tradition, past practices, legal – Tradition, past practices, legal precedent.precedent.

Code LawCode Law – System of written rules of law divided into – System of written rules of law divided into commercial, civil, and criminal codes.commercial, civil, and criminal codes.

LEGITIMACYLEGITIMACY

Legitimacy of leaders is based on Legitimacy of leaders is based on FAIR, FAIR, FREE, COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS.FREE, COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS.

Factors that encourage legitimacy in both Factors that encourage legitimacy in both Authoritarian and Democratic Regimes:Authoritarian and Democratic Regimes: Economic Well-BeingEconomic Well-Being Historical Tradition/LongevityHistorical Tradition/Longevity Charismatic LeadershipCharismatic Leadership Nationalism/Shared Political CultureNationalism/Shared Political Culture Satisfaction with the Government’s Satisfaction with the Government’s

Performance/ResponsivenessPerformance/Responsiveness

POLITICAL CULTURE AND POLITICAL CULTURE AND IDEOLOGIESIDEOLOGIES

POLITICAL CULTUREPOLITICAL CULTURE – Collection of – Collection of beliefs, values, practices, and beliefs, values, practices, and institutions that the government is institutions that the government is based on.based on.

SOCIAL CAPITALSOCIAL CAPITAL – A method to – A method to measure the Political Culture based on measure the Political Culture based on the amount of reciprocity and trust that the amount of reciprocity and trust that exists among citizens and the state.exists among citizens and the state.


Types of Political CultureTypes of Political Culture Consensual Political CultureConsensual Political Culture – –

Acceptance of both the legitimacy of the Acceptance of both the legitimacy of the regime and solutions to major problems regime and solutions to major problems although there may be disagreement on although there may be disagreement on political processes and policies.political processes and policies.

Conflictual Political Culture Conflictual Political Culture – Citizens – Citizens are sharply divided on legitimacy of the are sharply divided on legitimacy of the regime and solutions to major problems. regime and solutions to major problems. Subcultures may develop. Effective Subcultures may develop. Effective rule may be subdued.rule may be subdued.


Political IdeologiesPolitical Ideologies – Sets of – Sets of political values held by individuals political values held by individuals regarding the basic goals of regarding the basic goals of government and politics.government and politics. 1. Liberalism1. Liberalism – Emphasis on individual – Emphasis on individual

political and economic freedom. political and economic freedom. (freedom for all, free speech, religion, (freedom for all, free speech, religion, and association). The right to disagree and association). The right to disagree with the state and leaders. Action to with the state and leaders. Action to change the decisions of leaders present.change the decisions of leaders present.


Political IdeologiesPolitical Ideologies 2. Communism2. Communism – Values equality over – Values equality over

Freedom. Result of the competition for Freedom. Result of the competition for scarce resources is that a small group scarce resources is that a small group will come to control the government and will come to control the government and the economy. Private ownership of the economy. Private ownership of property is abolished.property is abolished.

Individual liberties give way to the needs of Individual liberties give way to the needs of society as a whole.society as a whole.


Political IdeologiesPolitical Ideologies 3. Socialism3. Socialism – Shares the value of – Shares the value of

equality of Communism with the equality of Communism with the freedom of liberalism.freedom of liberalism.

Accept and promote private ownership & Accept and promote private ownership & free market.free market.

State regulation of economy and benefits to State regulation of economy and benefits to public to ensure equality.public to ensure equality.


Political IdeologiesPolitical Ideologies 4. Fascism4. Fascism – Devalues individual – Devalues individual

freedom.freedom. Rejects the value of equality.Rejects the value of equality. People and groups exist in degrees of People and groups exist in degrees of

inferiority and superiority.inferiority and superiority. State has the right and responsibility to State has the right and responsibility to

mold society and economy and to eliminate mold society and economy and to eliminate obstacles.obstacles.

Nazi Germany is example.Nazi Germany is example.


Political IdeologiesPolitical Ideologies 5. Religions5. Religions – Source of group identity. – Source of group identity.

Separation of Church and State in advanced Separation of Church and State in advanced democracies. democracies.

Source of interest group activity within the Source of interest group activity within the civil society.civil society.

Varies in importance to governmental Varies in importance to governmental regimes in the world. (Iran = Theocracy).regimes in the world. (Iran = Theocracy).

TOPIC THREE: POLITICAL AND TOPIC THREE: POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGEECONOMIC CHANGE

Comparative Political Scientists are Comparative Political Scientists are interested in the impact that change interested in the impact that change has on the policymaking process.has on the policymaking process.

Political and economic changes occur Political and economic changes occur together and influence one another. together and influence one another. If one happens without the other, If one happens without the other, tensions and instability can occur tensions and instability can occur with serious consequences.with serious consequences.

Three Types of ChangeThree Types of Change

1. 1. Reform Reform – does not advocate the – does not advocate the overthrow of basic institutions. Reformers overthrow of basic institutions. Reformers want to change some of the methods used want to change some of the methods used to reach goals.to reach goals.

2. 2. RevolutionRevolution – Basic level change that – Basic level change that involves major revision or overthrow of involves major revision or overthrow of existing institutions existing institutions

3. 3. Coup d’etatCoup d’etat – Replacement of the – Replacement of the leader of a country. Use of force and leader of a country. Use of force and assassination can happen.assassination can happen.

Attitudes Toward ChangeAttitudes Toward Change

1. 1. Radicalism Radicalism – Rapid, dramatic – Rapid, dramatic changes need to me made in society changes need to me made in society and/or political system. System and/or political system. System cannot be saved and must be cannot be saved and must be replaced (Bolsheviks).replaced (Bolsheviks).

2. 2. LiberalismLiberalism – Gradual reform and – Gradual reform and change. Economic/Political system change. Economic/Political system not broken but in need of gradual not broken but in need of gradual repair or improvement.repair or improvement.

Attitudes Toward ChangeAttitudes Toward Change

3. 3. Conservatism Conservatism – Less supportive of – Less supportive of change. Change is seen as disruptive change. Change is seen as disruptive and can have unforseen outcomes. and can have unforseen outcomes. Change can be a threat to law and Change can be a threat to law and order. order.

4. 4. ReactionaryReactionary – Find status quo – Find status quo unacceptable but generally similar to unacceptable but generally similar to conservatives. Regress to an earlier conservatives. Regress to an earlier era regarding political, social, and era regarding political, social, and economic institution that once existed.economic institution that once existed.

Three Trends (Patterns)Three Trends (Patterns)

1. 1. DemocratizationDemocratization – Requirement – Requirement is competitive elections that are is competitive elections that are regular, free, and fair.regular, free, and fair. Liberal Democracy CharacteristicsLiberal Democracy Characteristics

Civil LibertiesCivil Liberties Rule of LawRule of Law Neutrality of the JudiciaryNeutrality of the Judiciary Open Civil societyOpen Civil society Civilian Control of the MilitaryCivilian Control of the Military


1. 1. DemocratizationDemocratization Illiberal democraciesIlliberal democracies – Countries that – Countries that

have regular, free, and fair elections but have regular, free, and fair elections but lack elements listed in previous slide.lack elements listed in previous slide.

Third Wave of DemocratizationThird Wave of Democratization – – Samuel Huntington- Modern World is Samuel Huntington- Modern World is here.here.

11stst Wave – Post 18 Wave – Post 18thth Century Revolutions Century Revolutions 22ndnd Wave – Post WWII until 1960’s – Wave – Post WWII until 1960’s –

De-colonization De-colonization


1. 1. DemocratizationDemocratization – Causes – Causes Loss of legitimacyLoss of legitimacy Expansion of an urban Middle ClassExpansion of an urban Middle Class Emphasis on Human RightsEmphasis on Human Rights Snowball Effect (domino theory in reverse)Snowball Effect (domino theory in reverse)

*Political discontent is triggered if preceded *Political discontent is triggered if preceded by a period higher standard of living, a by a period higher standard of living, a condition called “condition called “revolution of rising revolution of rising expectations.”expectations.”


2. 2. Movement Toward Market Movement Toward Market EconomiesEconomies Command EconomiesCommand Economies (socialist (socialist

principles, state ownership) are fading principles, state ownership) are fading from existence unless partnered with from existence unless partnered with Market EconomiesMarket Economies

Mixed EconomyMixed Economy – Market Economy – Market Economy that allows for control from the central that allows for control from the central government.government.


Movement Toward Market EconomiesMovement Toward Market Economies Two Factors precipitating movement Two Factors precipitating movement

toward market economies:toward market economies: Belief that Government is Too BigBelief that Government is Too Big Lack of success of command economies.Lack of success of command economies.****MARKETIZATIONMARKETIZATION – state’s recreation of a – state’s recreation of a

market in which property, labor, goods and market in which property, labor, goods and services can function in a competitive services can function in a competitive environment to determine value.environment to determine value.

Privatization – Transfer of state-owned property Privatization – Transfer of state-owned property to private ownership.to private ownership.


3. 3. Revival of Ethnic or Cultural Revival of Ethnic or Cultural PoliticsPolitics FragmentationFragmentation – divisions based on – divisions based on

ethnic or cultural identity.ethnic or cultural identity. Politicization of ReligionPoliticization of Religion has dominated has dominated

world politics in the 21world politics in the 21stst century. century. Huntington argues a dangerous future will Huntington argues a dangerous future will

be based on clashes of civilizations, not be based on clashes of civilizations, not socioeconomic or ideological differences.socioeconomic or ideological differences.

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Comparative government and politics