AP COMPARATIVE GOVT

AP COMPARATIVE AP COMPARATIVE GOVTGOVT

THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONSTHEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS

Presentation based on Patrick O’Neill’s

Essentials of Comparative Politics, 3rd Edition

What is Comparative What is Comparative Goverment & Politics?Goverment & Politics?

POLITICS: basically is all about power, the POLITICS: basically is all about power, the struggle in any group for power that will struggle in any group for power that will giver them the ability to make decisions giver them the ability to make decisions for the larger groupfor the larger group

POLITICS is everywhere! POLITICS is everywhere! – Office Politics, sexual politics, family politics, Office Politics, sexual politics, family politics,

politics in academia, national politics, global politics in academia, national politics, global politics...politics...

Comparative Politics—compares this Comparative Politics—compares this stuggle for power across countries stuggle for power across countries

The Comparative MethodThe Comparative Method

QUANTITATIVE METHOD (empirical data): QUANTITATIVE METHOD (empirical data): gathering of statistical data across a large gathering of statistical data across a large number of countries to look for correlations number of countries to look for correlations and test hypotheses about cause and effect. and test hypotheses about cause and effect. More “objective” and breadth over depth. More “objective” and breadth over depth.

QUALITATIVE METHOD (normative value QUALITATIVE METHOD (normative value judgments) Mastery of a limited number of judgments) Mastery of a limited number of cases through the detailed study of their cases through the detailed study of their history and culture, can’t be limited to history and culture, can’t be limited to numbers. Depth over breadth.numbers. Depth over breadth.

Quantitative v. Qualitative Quantitative v. Qualitative MethodsMethods

Limits of Quantitative Method: “What Limits of Quantitative Method: “What is important to study cannot be is important to study cannot be measured and what can be is not measured and what can be is not important to study”important to study”

Limits of Qualitative Method: studies Limits of Qualitative Method: studies are mere description and story are mere description and story telling, and too biasedtelling, and too biased

We need a little of both...We need a little of both...

Comparative Govt Comparative Govt as a Social SCIENCEas a Social SCIENCE

Uses scientific method—hypothesis, Uses scientific method—hypothesis, variables (independent and dependent) and variables (independent and dependent) and we look for correlation and causationwe look for correlation and causation

Problems: Problems: – Political scientists can´t control for the variables Political scientists can´t control for the variables

bc they are a function of real world politics, hard bc they are a function of real world politics, hard to establish causationto establish causation

– Variables are too varied! Countries are SO Variables are too varied! Countries are SO diverse in economics, culture, geography, diverse in economics, culture, geography, resources, and poltiical structures—you can’t resources, and poltiical structures—you can’t possibly control for these differencespossibly control for these differences

– Limited number of cases...not a large enough Limited number of cases...not a large enough sample size (political world not like the natural sample size (political world not like the natural world)world)

Correlation v. Causation Correlation v. Causation

Correlation: when a change in one Correlation: when a change in one variable COINCIDES with a change in variable COINCIDES with a change in another. Causation may be present, another. Causation may be present, but not necessarily.but not necessarily.

Causation: One variable causes or Causation: One variable causes or influences anotherinfluences another

Example: Golden Arches Theory of Example: Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention (correlation—yes, Conflict Prevention (correlation—yes, causation???)causation???)

Disciplinary History Disciplinary History of Comparative Politicsof Comparative Politics

Aristotle (384-322 BCE): not concerned with Aristotle (384-322 BCE): not concerned with ideal political system, but instead with ideal political system, but instead with analyzing, comparing and understanding the analyzing, comparing and understanding the way different poltical systems worked and way different poltical systems worked and understand their relative strengths and understand their relative strengths and weaknesses. weaknesses.

Empirical science of politics with a practical Empirical science of politics with a practical purposepurpose STATECRAFT (how to govern) STATECRAFT (how to govern)

Separated study of politics from philosophySeparated study of politics from philosophy

Disciplinary History Disciplinary History of Comparative Politics (cont)of Comparative Politics (cont)

Machiavelli (1469-1527): first modern Machiavelli (1469-1527): first modern political scientistpolitical scientist

Pragmatism—mechanics of govt, diplomacy, Pragmatism—mechanics of govt, diplomacy, military strategy and power.military strategy and power.

It’s all about POWER, how you get it, how It’s all about POWER, how you get it, how you keep it, how you lose it, etc.you keep it, how you lose it, etc.

Ideals have no place in politics—quest for Ideals have no place in politics—quest for power will always conflict with moral valuespower will always conflict with moral values

Machiavellian: Machiavellian: referring to someone cunning, referring to someone cunning, devious, ambitious, unscrupulous, with no devious, ambitious, unscrupulous, with no moral standards, etc. moral standards, etc.


16th and 17th centuries: Thomas Hobbes 16th and 17th centuries: Thomas Hobbes and John Locke...advocated particular and John Locke...advocated particular political systems on the basis of empirical political systems on the basis of empirical observation and analysis, social contract, observation and analysis, social contract, consent of governed, etc.consent of governed, etc.

18th century: Jean-Jacques Rousseau and 18th century: Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Baron de Montesquieu...writings on Baron de Montesquieu...writings on separation of power and civil liberties separation of power and civil liberties impact the American Constitution and other impact the American Constitution and other subsequent ones...subsequent ones...

19th-20th centuries: Karl Marx and Max 19th-20th centuries: Karl Marx and Max Weber...analyses of nature of poltical and Weber...analyses of nature of poltical and economic organization and powereconomic organization and power


In early 20th cent, field was limited and In early 20th cent, field was limited and ethnocentric, Europe, description over ethnocentric, Europe, description over explanation or prediction...how not whyexplanation or prediction...how not why Traditional ApproachTraditional Approach

REALITY CHECK: rise of fascism & communism, REALITY CHECK: rise of fascism & communism, WWII, Cold War... New questions for this new WWII, Cold War... New questions for this new worldworld

Post WWII scholars believed the field must Post WWII scholars believed the field must become a true science...science would lead become a true science...science would lead politics and like all things in the Cold War, politics and like all things in the Cold War, political science became part of the battle political science became part of the battle between the new superpowers. between the new superpowers.

Largely conservative discipline...Largely conservative discipline...


Political science becomes a very Political science becomes a very conservative disciplineconservative discipline

MODERNIZATION THEORY: As societies MODERNIZATION THEORY: As societies develop, will become capitalist develop, will become capitalist democracies. The US & West were ahead, democracies. The US & West were ahead, the others would catch up, unless their the others would catch up, unless their evolution was sabotaged by alternative evolution was sabotaged by alternative systems like communism. systems like communism. – MODERNIZATION THEORY is a set of MODERNIZATION THEORY is a set of

hypotheses about how countries develophypotheses about how countries develop

Disciplinary History Disciplinary History of Comparative Politics of Comparative Politics

(cont)(cont) BEHAVIORALISMBEHAVIORALISM no longer descriptive study no longer descriptive study of politics, no we talk about causality, of politics, no we talk about causality, explanation and prediction. Look at rational explanation and prediction. Look at rational choice theory as predictor for individual choice theory as predictor for individual political behavior...quantifiable, use logic. political behavior...quantifiable, use logic. – BEHAVIORALISM is a set of methods with BEHAVIORALISM is a set of methods with

which to approach politics.which to approach politics.– Deductive, large scale research over the Deductive, large scale research over the

single case study common in inductive single case study common in inductive reasoning (more scientificreasoning (more scientific

Quantitative over qualitative method.Quantitative over qualitative method.


(cont)(cont) POST BEHAVIORALISMPOST BEHAVIORALISM

– Rejection of a grand theory of politics; Rejection of a grand theory of politics; criticism of modernization theory as Western criticism of modernization theory as Western biased and inaccurate; diversity of methods biased and inaccurate; diversity of methods and politicla approaches, emphasizing issues and politicla approaches, emphasizing issues as gender, culture, environment and as gender, culture, environment and globalization.globalization.

Now the big arguments are over:Now the big arguments are over:– MethodologyMethodology quantitative vs qualitative quantitative vs qualitative– RationalityRationality rational choice/ game theory as valid predictors rational choice/ game theory as valid predictors

for human behavior vs. historical complexity and idiosyncratic for human behavior vs. historical complexity and idiosyncratic behaviorbehavior


1960s: questioning behavioralism, 1960s: questioning behavioralism, ideological bias (don’t want to understand, ideological bias (don’t want to understand, just impose Western model)just impose Western model)

1970s – 1980s: lots of fighting within the 1970s – 1980s: lots of fighting within the discipline—ideological and methodological discipline—ideological and methodological debatesdebates

Three major events shake up the field:Three major events shake up the field:– Rapid industrialization in AsiaRapid industrialization in Asia– Collapse of communism in Eastern Europe & Collapse of communism in Eastern Europe &

USSRUSSR– ““Third Wave” of democracy—mainly in Latin Third Wave” of democracy—mainly in Latin

America, Asia and EuropeAmerica, Asia and Europe– Also...rapid spread of democracy Also...rapid spread of democracy


Where are we today???Where are we today???– Fukuyama’s “End of History”Fukuyama’s “End of History”– Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations”Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations”– Benjamin Barber “Jihad vs. McWorld” Benjamin Barber “Jihad vs. McWorld” – GLOBALIZATION debate...yes, it’s GLOBALIZATION debate...yes, it’s

happening, but its results are very different.happening, but its results are very different.– Continued integration and trade, Continued integration and trade,

inequalities, destruction of local cultures, inequalities, destruction of local cultures, indigenization of elites, backlash against indigenization of elites, backlash against globalizationglobalization

Comparative Government = Comparative Government = Comparative InstitutionsComparative Institutions

INSTITUTIONSINSTITUTIONS organizations or patterns of activity organizations or patterns of activity that are self-perpetuating and valued for their own that are self-perpetuating and valued for their own sake, rules, norms, values that give meaning to sake, rules, norms, values that give meaning to human activity, stable, long lasting organizations that human activity, stable, long lasting organizations that help turn political ideas into policies.help turn political ideas into policies.

Ex: Football is a Brazilian institution, Baseball is an Ex: Football is a Brazilian institution, Baseball is an American institution but soccer is not; democracy can American institution but soccer is not; democracy can be an institution, taxes in US vs. Nigeria, NHS in be an institution, taxes in US vs. Nigeria, NHS in Britain, etc.Britain, etc.

People ususally defend institutions...glue of societyPeople ususally defend institutions...glue of society Institutions are good because they persevere, but Institutions are good because they persevere, but

they often resist necessary change...its hard to get they often resist necessary change...its hard to get people to change institutions (Ex: 2nd Amendment in people to change institutions (Ex: 2nd Amendment in the US, Electoral College).the US, Electoral College).

Some political institutions: army, elections, the STATE!Some political institutions: army, elections, the STATE!

Reconciling Freedom and Reconciling Freedom and Equality: A core political issueEquality: A core political issue

Politics is struggle for power, but what Politics is struggle for power, but what are we fighting for?are we fighting for?

Individual freedom vs. Collective equalityIndividual freedom vs. Collective equality These are both viewed in terms of These are both viewed in terms of

JUSTICE. JUSTICE. The big question: Does one necessarily The big question: Does one necessarily

come at the expense of the other? Is this come at the expense of the other? Is this really a zero-sum issue?really a zero-sum issue?

Maybe these should reinforce each Maybe these should reinforce each other...other...

Matrix of Freedom and Matrix of Freedom and EqualityEquality

High Freedom

Low Freedom

Low Equality

High Equality

THE MATRI X OF FREEDOM AND EQUALITY

EQUALITY IS EQUALITY?EQUALITY IS EQUALITY? EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY (the ideal of EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY (the ideal of

equality championed by capitalism, equality championed by capitalism, everyone has an equal opportunity to everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed...but does this really exist? Or do succeed...but does this really exist? Or do some people have more opportunities? Or some people have more opportunities? Or do some people just have to do more to get do some people just have to do more to get to those opportunities?to those opportunities?

EQUALITY OF RESULT (the ideal of equality EQUALITY OF RESULT (the ideal of equality championed by socialism—everyone will championed by socialism—everyone will share through wealth redistribution to share through wealth redistribution to eliminate inequalities, all have 1 house (not eliminate inequalities, all have 1 house (not you have 5, I have none)you have 5, I have none)

StatesStates

Weber: “State is the organization that Weber: “State is the organization that maintains a monopoly of violence over a maintains a monopoly of violence over a territory”territory”

Highly institutionalized, not easily changedHighly institutionalized, not easily changed Has Sovereignty: ability to carry out policies Has Sovereignty: ability to carry out policies

within their borders independently from within their borders independently from interference from inside or outside forcesinterference from inside or outside forces

Usually has institutions like army, police, Usually has institutions like army, police, taxation, judiciary, social welfare system, etc.taxation, judiciary, social welfare system, etc.

NationNation

Group of people bound together by a Group of people bound together by a common political identitycommon political identity

Nationalism—sense of belonging and Nationalism—sense of belonging and identity that distinguishes one nation identity that distinguishes one nation from another...patriotism is pride and from another...patriotism is pride and loyaltyloyalty

Stateless nations: Palestinians, Stateless nations: Palestinians, Native Americans in US, Quebecois?Native Americans in US, Quebecois?

RegimeRegime

Rules that a state sets and follos in Rules that a state sets and follos in exerting its power are referred to as a exerting its power are referred to as a REGIMEREGIME

Endure beyond individual govts and Endure beyond individual govts and leaders, institutions and practicesleaders, institutions and practices

Institutionalized, but can be changed by Institutionalized, but can be changed by dramatic social events like a revolutiondramatic social events like a revolution

Often embodied in a constitutionOften embodied in a constitution Regimes: Democratic or Authoritarian Regimes: Democratic or Authoritarian

systems, Baathist regime in Iraq, France systems, Baathist regime in Iraq, France and all its republics—each is a regime, etc.and all its republics—each is a regime, etc.

GovernmentGovernment

Leadership or elite in charge of running the Leadership or elite in charge of running the statestate

Weakly institutionalizedWeakly institutionalized Elected officials, like president or PM, or Elected officials, like president or PM, or

sometimes unelected officials in sometimes unelected officials in authoritarian regimesauthoritarian regimes

Limited by the existing regimeLimited by the existing regime (USSR-State, Communist Regime, (USSR-State, Communist Regime,

Khruschev govt, Gorbachev govt...then Khruschev govt, Gorbachev govt...then revolution and regime change!)revolution and regime change!)

State-Regime-GovtState-Regime-Govt

State is the Computer, the CPU, the State is the Computer, the CPU, the machinery, the hardwaremachinery, the hardware

Regime is the operating system or Regime is the operating system or the software that determines how it the software that determines how it will operatewill operate

Government is the operator or user, Government is the operator or user, that tells the institutions what to do, that tells the institutions what to do, implements policies, etc.implements policies, etc.

Political OrganizationPolitical Organization

If you believe in the institutions of democracy... If you believe in the institutions of democracy... Political organization is viewed as a consensus, Political organization is viewed as a consensus, with people willingly surrendering some of their with people willingly surrendering some of their power in order to gain greater security and power in order to gain greater security and prosperityprosperity Democratic rule Democratic rule

Politics is by its nature coercive, the state is Politics is by its nature coercive, the state is domineering and it creates unequal relations. domineering and it creates unequal relations. Individuals are brought together by a ruler who Individuals are brought together by a ruler who imposes authority and monopolizes power. imposes authority and monopolizes power. Security though dominationSecurity though domination Authoritarian rule Authoritarian rule

LegitimacyLegitimacy Right to rule—as viewed by their citizensRight to rule—as viewed by their citizens Max Weber—three forms of legitimacy:Max Weber—three forms of legitimacy:

– TRADITIONAL: tradition should determine who should TRADITIONAL: tradition should determine who should rule and how, monarchy, based on heredity, myth, rule and how, monarchy, based on heredity, myth, legend, rituals and ceremonies reinforce authority. Ex: legend, rituals and ceremonies reinforce authority. Ex: Prince in Saudi Arabia, Queen of EnglandPrince in Saudi Arabia, Queen of England

– CHARISMATIC: based on dynamic personality of indiv CHARISMATIC: based on dynamic personality of indiv leader or small group. Ex: Napoleon, Jesus, Mohammed, leader or small group. Ex: Napoleon, Jesus, Mohammed, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Lenin, Castro, Che, Chavez Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Lenin, Castro, Che, Chavez still in power, etc.still in power, etc.

– RATIONAL-LEGAL: based on system of well-established RATIONAL-LEGAL: based on system of well-established rules and procedures, highly institutionalized, you rules and procedures, highly institutionalized, you accept ruler bc you accept the rules of the game that accept ruler bc you accept the rules of the game that brought them into office andbecause they accept rule of brought them into office andbecause they accept rule of law (elected presidents, Bush, Tony Blair, Sarkozy, Lula) law (elected presidents, Bush, Tony Blair, Sarkozy, Lula)

Factors that encourage Factors that encourage legitimacy in all types of legitimacy in all types of

regimes:regimes: Economic well-beingEconomic well-being Historical tradition or longevityHistorical tradition or longevity Charismatic leadershipCharismatic leadership Nationalism/shared political cultureNationalism/shared political culture Satisfaction with the government’s Satisfaction with the government’s

performance/responsivenessperformance/responsiveness

What are some issues that could cause What are some issues that could cause a regime to lose legitimacy?a regime to lose legitimacy?

Centralization or Centralization or Decentralization?Decentralization?

UNITARY STATES: invest most political UNITARY STATES: invest most political power at the national level, centralized power at the national level, centralized national govt and allow only limited local national govt and allow only limited local power. power. – You can still have local representation at the You can still have local representation at the

natl level, and federalism weakens state natl level, and federalism weakens state efficiency by dispersing power among many efficiency by dispersing power among many local authorities...it can also weaken govt, local authorities...it can also weaken govt, make populations more unruly to governmake populations more unruly to govern

– Most states are Unitary states (UK, Mexico, Most states are Unitary states (UK, Mexico, Iran, China)Iran, China)

Centralization or Centralization or Decentralization?Decentralization?

Federalism: significant powers (like Federalism: significant powers (like taxation, lawmaking, security) are taxation, lawmaking, security) are devolved to regional bodies like states in devolved to regional bodies like states in the US or Brazil, provinces in Canada or the US or Brazil, provinces in Canada or Argentina. Powers defined in the national Argentina. Powers defined in the national constitution.constitution.– Federalism represents local interests (good for Federalism represents local interests (good for

larger, very diverse populations), checks the larger, very diverse populations), checks the growth of central power (threating to growth of central power (threating to democracy or to regional interests)democracy or to regional interests)

– Ex: Nigeria and Russia Ex: Nigeria and Russia

Do states work?Do states work? Strong states: can fulfill basic tasks, can defend Strong states: can fulfill basic tasks, can defend

their territory, make and enforce rules, collect their territory, make and enforce rules, collect taxes, manage the economy, rule of law, etc.taxes, manage the economy, rule of law, etc.

Weak States: Cannot execute basic tasks well, Weak States: Cannot execute basic tasks well, rules are haphazardly applied, tax evasion and rules are haphazardly applied, tax evasion and corruption or noncompliance is rampant, rebel corruption or noncompliance is rampant, rebel movements or organized crime may control chunks movements or organized crime may control chunks of territory or economy, state officials lining of territory or economy, state officials lining pockets, economic problems, not very pockets, economic problems, not very institutionalized and lacks authority and legitimacy.institutionalized and lacks authority and legitimacy.

Failed States: extreme where the structures of the Failed States: extreme where the structures of the state may collapse resulting in a complete loss of state may collapse resulting in a complete loss of power, anarchy and violence or inability to control power, anarchy and violence or inability to control parts of country. Afghanistan pre-2001 under parts of country. Afghanistan pre-2001 under Taliban, etc.Taliban, etc.

Capacity v. AutonomyCapacity v. Autonomy

Capacity: ability of the state to wield Capacity: ability of the state to wield power to carry out basic tasks.power to carry out basic tasks.– High capacity requires not just $, but High capacity requires not just $, but

organization, legitimacy, effective organization, legitimacy, effective leadership, etc. leadership, etc. (Roads get paved, schools built, rules (Roads get paved, schools built, rules created and followed, if you break the law you are punished, etc.)created and followed, if you break the law you are punished, etc.)

Autonomy: ability to wield its power Autonomy: ability to wield its power independently of the publicindependently of the public

Look at the matrix of Look at the matrix of autonomy and capacityautonomy and capacity

What are the benefits and dangers of What are the benefits and dangers of high autonomy? High capacity? Low high autonomy? High capacity? Low autonomy? Low capacity?autonomy? Low capacity?

Can you think of states that would fit Can you think of states that would fit each of these descriptors?each of these descriptors?

Why do some countries develop Why do some countries develop higher degrees of autonomy or higher degrees of autonomy or capacity than others? Ex: the case of capacity than others? Ex: the case of ArgentinaArgentina

AP COMPARATIVE GOVT

Documents

Transcript of AP COMPARATIVE GOVT