Comparative Politics Chapter 1

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Questions and Answers

What is a key assumption of the rational choice theory?

  • Individuals have limited information to make rational calculations
  • Individuals act in their rational self-interest (correct)
  • Individuals prioritize moral values over personal objectives
  • Individuals prioritize collective well-being over personal gain

What is a significant difference between natural sciences and social sciences?

  • The former is mainly practiced by those with a law degree, while the latter is not.
  • The former is based on qualitative analyses, while the latter is based on quantitative analyses.
  • The former is more exact, while the latter tries to approximate. (correct)
  • The former focuses on institutions, while the latter focuses on individuals.

What is a characteristic of corporatism?

  • Elite representation of different communities
  • Minimal involvement of civil society in policy development
  • Strong involvement of civil society in policy development (correct)
  • Direct involvement of government in decision-making

What is a key concept related to network theory?

<p>Self-organizing networks providing governance (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of research in political science before the behavioural revolution?

<p>Single case studies and small comparisons (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge in comparing social phenomena across different regions?

<p>The difference in human interactions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of consociationalism?

<p>Elite representation of different communities (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about the École Libre des Sciences Politiques established in France?

<p>It was the first separate school of political science (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of how the rational choice theory can be applied?

<p>Voters not voting for a party that wants to lower pensions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of surveys and polls?

<p>They are not the same every time (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a concept related to political culture?

<p>The habits developed through socialization in a specific institution (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of social sciences, as compared to natural sciences?

<p>Their focus on human interactions and variability (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary issue with democratic institutions, despite their preference?

<p>They are often ineffective in producing high levels of human well-being. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of representative democracies?

<p>They have multiple separate institutions, each addressing different issues. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of having many uncoordinated actors in a democratic system?

<p>The inability to produce coherent and effective policies. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue in democratic countries, despite the introduction of democracy?

<p>Economic inequality. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason for disappointment in democratic outcomes, as seen in South Africa?

<p>The country has not delivered many positive results. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key variation in democratic institutions, according to research?

<p>The number of veto points. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is not a consequence of bad governance according to the text?

<p>Increased school attendance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized as necessary for creating human well-being, according to Diamond?

<p>Control of corruption and increased administrative capacity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of study uses a small number of cases, collecting data from archives, interviews, etc.?

<p>Small-n study (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a problem in comparative politics, according to the text?

<p>Scale problem (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correlation between human well-being and the level of democracy, according to the human development index?

<p>Quite low (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of large n-analysis, according to the text?

<p>Employing various statistical techniques of data processing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When did the discipline of comparative politics emerge?

<p>During the First World War (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of comparative politics?

<p>To describe and explain similarities and differences across political systems (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'comparative' refer to in the context of comparative politics?

<p>The methodology of comparing political systems (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a formal institution?

<p>Marriage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of politics, according to the definition?

<p>Public sphere (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between formal and informal institutions?

<p>Formal institutions are enforced by law, informal institutions are socially constructed (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying assumption of Aristotle's concept of 'man as a political animal' and how does it distinguish humans from animals?

<p>The underlying assumption is that humans have a natural tendency to form societies and develop a political system, which distinguishes them from animals that do not have this capacity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Weber's concept of power relate to the ability of individuals or groups to achieve their goals?

<p>Weber's concept of power refers to the ability of an individual or group to achieve their goals despite the resistance of others, and involves the ability to force others to do things they would not otherwise do.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal authority, and how do they relate to the exercise of power?

<p>Traditional authority is based on respect for tradition and habits, charismatic authority is based on the personality of the ruler, and rational-legal authority is based on respect for the rules. These types of authority legitimize the exercise of power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of comparative politics fit into the broader field of political science, and what are its main goals?

<p>Comparative politics is one of the three main subfields of political science, along with political theory and international relations. Its main goal is to compare and analyze political systems and institutions across different countries and regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between politics and the exercise of power, and how does this relate to the concept of decision-making?

<p>Politics is the exercise of the power of making decisions, and involves the ability to acquire and wield power. Decision-making is a key aspect of politics, as it involves the allocation of resources and the distribution of power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the concept of 'man as a political animal' for understanding the nature of politics and the role of humans in society?

<p>The concept of 'man as a political animal' highlights the inherent social and political nature of humans, and suggests that humans have a natural tendency to form societies and develop political systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between natural sciences and social sciences, and how do they approach generalization?

<p>Natural sciences focus on exact science and try to find general laws, whereas social sciences try to approximate and generalize through quasi-experimental designs, acknowledging the complexity of human interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the behavioural revolution impact the practice of political science, and what were the primary methods used before?

<p>The behavioural revolution brought a shift towards more scientific methods, whereas before, research was mainly based on qualitative analyses, such as legal texts and laws, with a focus on rights and institutions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the École Libre des Sciences Politiques, established in France in 1872, and what does it represent in the development of political science?

<p>The École Libre des Sciences Politiques was the first separate school of political science, marking the establishment of political science as a distinct discipline.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do surveys and polls differ from natural sciences in terms of their approach to generalization, and what are the limitations of these methods?

<p>Surveys and polls try to approximate and generalize, but are not exact sciences and are limited in their ability to capture the complexity of human interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary challenge in comparing social phenomena across different regions, and how does this impact the study of political science?

<p>The primary challenge is that human interactions and institutions vary greatly, making it difficult to generalize and compare across different regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of recognizing the differences between natural sciences and social sciences, and how does this impact our understanding of political science?

<p>Recognizing the differences between natural sciences and social sciences is crucial, as it acknowledges the complexity of human interactions and the need for approximations and generalizations in social sciences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key assumption underlying the rational choice theory, and how does it shape individuals' decision-making processes?

<p>The key assumption is that individuals act in their rational self-interest, having sufficient information to make rational calculations, and wanting to maximize profit from an action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of corporatism differ from other forms of governance, and what role does civil society play in this approach?

<p>Corporatism involves the strong involvement of civil society in policy development, where the government picks out certain organizations and grants them privileged access to consultation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between consociationalism and other forms of governance, and how does it address the needs of diverse communities?

<p>Consociationalism involves elites representing different communities coming together to govern, addressing the needs of diverse communities through collective decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of network theory challenge traditional notions of governance, and what role do self-organizing networks play in modern governance?

<p>Network theory suggests that self-organizing networks now provide governance, as governments are no longer able to direct involvement in decision-making, highlighting the shift towards decentralized and participatory governance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of political culture in shaping individual behavior and societal norms, and how does it relate to social capital?

<p>Political culture refers to the habits developed through socialization in a specific institution, influencing individual behavior and societal norms, and is closely related to social capital.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the rational choice theory differ from less individualistic interpretations of human behavior, and what are the implications of these alternative approaches?

<p>Rational choice theory assumes individual self-interest, whereas less individualistic interpretations, such as collective identity, emphasize the importance of group dynamics and collective outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the behavioral revolution in political science?

<p>It marked a shift in focus from institutions to individuals, with the latter becoming the most important part of the analyses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the limitations of applying universal concepts across different regions?

<p>Concepts cannot travel easily, meaning they may not be applicable in all contexts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of new institutionalism in comparative politics?

<p>It focuses on institutions, considering a large set of institutions and analyzing them on multiple levels, including the micro-level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do institutions shape individual behavior, according to institutional analysis?

<p>Institutions shape and constrain the behavior of individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between interests and individuals in comparative politics?

<p>Interests are strictly related to individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 5 I's in comparative politics?

<p>They represent the main approaches to analyzing political phenomena, including institutions, interests, and more.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does bad governance entail according to the text, and how does it impact the well-being of citizens?

<p>Bad governance entails governance that only serves the interest of elite, corruption and abuse of power. This leads to no improvement in the life situation of citizens, despite democratization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of large n-analysis, according to the text?

<p>The text does not mention a limitation of large n-analysis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Diamond, what is necessary for creating human well-being?

<p>According to Diamond, control of corruption and increased administrative capacity are necessary for creating human well-being.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correlation between human well-being and the level of democracy, according to the human development index?

<p>The correlation between human well-being and the level of democracy is quite low.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a problem in comparative politics, according to the text?

<p>The scale problem is a problem in comparative politics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for disappointment in democratic outcomes, as seen in China and India?

<p>The primary reason for disappointment in democratic outcomes is bad governance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following features of authority with their corresponding types:

<p>Respect for tradition and habits = Traditional authority Personality of the ruler = Charismatic authority Respect for the rules = Rational-legal authority Fear of sanctions = Coercive authority</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their definitions:

<p>Politics = The exercise of the power of making decisions Comparative politics = A science of politics that compares institutions and practices across different regions Power = The ability to force others to do things they would not do Authority = The ability to make decisions that are binding</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following scholars with their corresponding ideas:

<p>Aristotle = Man is a political animal by nature Weber = Power is the ability to achieve goals despite opposition Diamond = Creating human well-being requires a certain level of democracy Rousseau = Man is inherently good but corrupted by society</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their corresponding subfields in political science:

<p>Political theory = The study of the nature of politics and the state Comparative politics = The study of institutions and practices across different regions International relations = The study of relations between nations Political economy = The study of the intersection of politics and economics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following characteristics with their corresponding types of governance:

<p>Respect for the rules = Rational-legal authority Personality of the ruler = Charismatic authority Spontaneous development of a political system = Organic governance Imposition of power by a single individual or group = Coercive governance</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their corresponding definitions in the context of politics:

<p>Decision-making = The process of making binding decisions Power = The ability to force others to do things they would not do Authority = The ability to make decisions that are binding Politics = The exercise of the power of making decisions</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following political science concepts with their descriptions:

<p>Rational choice theory = Assumes individuals make decisions based on self-interest Corporatism = Form of governance that emphasizes collaboration between state and civil society Multidimensionality = Approach that considers multiple factors in political analysis Institutional analysis = Examines how institutions shape individual behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of leaders with their characteristics:

<p>Charismatic leaders = Exercise power based on personal charm and charisma Traditional leaders = Exercise power based on custom and tradition Rational-legal leaders = Exercise power based on rules and procedures Authoritarian leaders = Exercise power based on coercion and force</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following international institutions with their focuses:

<p>NATO = North Atlantic defense alliance OECD = Economic development and cooperation WHO = Global health and disease prevention UN = Global peace and security</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following political concepts with their applications:

<p>Network theory = Analyzing relationships between actors in governance Comparative politics = Comparing political phenomena across countries Rational choice theory = Analyzing individual decision-making Institutionalism = Examining how institutions shape individual behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following challenges in comparative politics with their descriptions:

<p>Generalization = Difficulty in applying universal concepts across different regions Bad governance = Failure of institutions to provide basic services Limited large n-analysis = Difficulty in generalizing from a small number of cases Cultural differences = Differences in political culture across countries</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following political science disciplines with their focuses:

<p>Comparative politics = Comparing political phenomena across countries International relations = Analyzing interactions between states Political culture = Examining the cultural context of politics Political economy = Examining the relationship between politics and economics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

<p>Institutional turn = A shift in focus to the importance of institutions in explaining prosperity New institutionalism = A school of thought that emphasizes the importance of formal and informal institutions Social trust = An important informal institution that has a strong impact on human well-being Historical institutionalism = A school of thought that focuses on the historical development of institutions</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following researchers with their contributions:

<p>North = Emphasized the importance of informal institutions and criticized the exaggeration of formal institutions' importance Diamond = Emphasized the importance of institutions for human well-being Weber = Introduced the concept of power and its relation to individual goals Aristotle = Introduced the concept of 'man as a political animal'</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their characteristics:

<p>Formal institutions = Explicitly defined rules and norms Informal institutions = Unwritten norms and customs that shape behavior Corporatism = A form of governance that emphasizes collaboration between state and civil society Consociationalism = A form of governance that addresses the needs of diverse communities</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following problems with their causes:

<p>Unclean water in developing countries = Lack of institutional quality and corruption in the public sector Disappointment in democratic outcomes = Poor institutional quality and lack of supervision Inequality in human well-being = Differences in institutional quality between countries Poor governance = Lack of social trust and poor institutional quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their relationships:

<p>Institutions and human well-being = Institutions have a strong impact on human well-being Politics and power = Politics is the exercise of power and decision-making Governance and social trust = Social trust is essential for good governance Institutional quality and prosperity = Good institutional quality leads to prosperity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their focuses:

<p>New institutionalism = The importance of formal and informal institutions Historical institutionalism = The historical development of institutions Comparative politics = Comparing political institutions and their impact on human well-being Rational choice theory = Individual decision-making and behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following goals of comparative politics researchers with their intended audiences:

<p>Speaking truth to power = Elite Public intellectual writing = General public Informing policymakers = Government Informing parties = Parties</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following researchers with their findings regarding democracy:

<p>Sen = Bad results in China and India Diamond = Representative democracy is not enough for creating human well-being Aristotle = Man as a political animal Weber = Concept of power relates to the ability of individuals or groups to achieve their goals</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their related issues in comparative politics:

<p>Paternalism = Government thwarting individual preferences Normative approach = Fear of being seen as taking a stand Rational choice theory = Individual decision-making Sen &amp; Laureate approach = Ensuring basic resources for all individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Small-n studies = Use a small number of cases, collecting data from archives, interviews, etc. Large n-analysis = Refers to quantitative analysis which employ various statistical techniques of data processing Corporatism = A form of governance that involves civil society Consociationalism = A characteristic of governance that addresses the needs of diverse communities</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following benefits of comparative politics with their corresponding advantages:

<p>Informing the elite = Giving advice on winning elections Informing the general public = Explaining economic growth and gender equality Public policy issues = Addressing country-specific problems Research = Identifying best practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their relationships to governance:

<p>Bad governance = Governance that only serves the interest of elite, corruption, and abuse of power State capacity = Impact on human well-being Quality of government = Influence on human well-being Rational choice theory = Assumes individuals make decisions based on self-interest</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following approaches in comparative politics with their underlying assumptions:

<p>Rational choice theory = Individuals act rationally Institutional analysis = Institutions shape individual behavior Paternalism = Government knows what's best for individuals Normative approach = Researchers should remain objective</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following challenges with their respective fields of study:

<p>Scale problem = Comparative politics Limitations of surveys and polls = Social sciences Challenge of comparing social phenomena across different regions = Comparative politics Problem of generalization = Natural sciences</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts in comparative politics with their related authors:

<p>Ensuring basic resources for all individuals = Sen &amp; Laureate Rational choice theory = Diamond Paternalism = Aristotle Speaking truth to power = Weber</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following indices with their foci:

<p>Human development index = Correlation between human well-being and the level of democracy Index of democratic outcomes = Comparison of democratic outcomes across different countries Poverty index = Measurement of poverty levels Inequality index = Measurement of economic inequality</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following challenges in comparative politics with their corresponding limitations:

<p>Comparing social phenomena = Difficulty in generalizing across regions Surveys and polls = Limited representation of population Large n-analysis = Oversimplification of complex issues Institutional analysis = Neglecting individual agency</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their relations to power and decision-making:

<p>Rational-legal authority = A form of authority that relates to the exercise of power Charismatic authority = A form of authority that relates to the exercise of power Traditional authority = A form of authority that relates to the exercise of power Network theory = A concept that challenges traditional notions of governance</p> Signup and view all the answers

Political theory deals with __________ questions.

<p>normative and theoretical</p> Signup and view all the answers

Comparative politics investigates which forms of political __________ people choose to use.

<p>participation</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ultimate concern of political theory is the configuration of __________ within systems.

<p>power</p> Signup and view all the answers

International relations deals with the interaction between __________ systems.

<p>political</p> Signup and view all the answers

The simple-majority single ballot system favours the __________ system.

<p>two-party</p> Signup and view all the answers

The IRON LAW of OLIGARCHY states that every organization ends up in an __________.

<p>oligarchy</p> Signup and view all the answers

These 5 approaches provide the means of understanding almost any ______ issues.

<p>political</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chapter 1: book Political science and the sub discipline of ______ politics has recently received increased attention.

<p>comparative</p> Signup and view all the answers

Comparative politics could be relevant for: Informing the ______: giving advice to parties, how win elections, how politicians should act, etc.

<p>elite</p> Signup and view all the answers

Researchers in comparative politics choose to stay away both from ______ and acting.

<p>speaking</p> Signup and view all the answers

Another problem is ______: The government is thwarting the preferences of individuals / companies, because they are considered not to pay enough attention to what is really in their interest.

<p>paternalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Researchers in comparative politics aim to ______ truth to power.

<p>speak</p> Signup and view all the answers

Most corruption varies a lot in scale and __________.

<p>scope</p> Signup and view all the answers

If people have the right to change their government through free and fair elections, they will find their system of rule __________.

<p>legitimate</p> Signup and view all the answers

Performance or output measures such as control of corruption, government effectiveness and the __________ in explaining political legitimacy.

<p>rule of law</p> Signup and view all the answers

Political parties that mobilize on a clean government have been successful in __________.

<p>elections</p> Signup and view all the answers

A particular problem is that many democratic countries do not punish corrupt politicians, which means the __________ mechanism does not work properly.

<p>accountability</p> Signup and view all the answers

Regions with the highest institutional performance are indicated by the __________ colors

<p>black</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ideologies such as communism and __________ are crucial for mobilizing people

<p>fascism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Policy __________ can be translated into policy ideas

<p>ideas</p> Signup and view all the answers

Leadership styles are analyzed at the __________ level

<p>elite</p> Signup and view all the answers

The international environment, including institutions like NATO, OEC, and WHO, directly affect __________

<p>states</p> Signup and view all the answers

In comparative politics, it is important to consider the multidimensionality of __________ science

<p>political</p> Signup and view all the answers

Almost all scholars in comparative politics agree that in producing a good society ______ institutions are to be preferred

<p>democratic</p> Signup and view all the answers

The fact is that more countries than ever are now classified as being ______

<p>democratic</p> Signup and view all the answers

Nelson Mandela provided the introduction of ______ that would liberate people + improve social and economic situations

<p>democracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

A ______ is in fact built on multiple separate institutions

<p>democracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

The country has not improved the time frame of going to ______, economic inequality remains, low life expectancy,…

<p>school</p> Signup and view all the answers

If there are many uncoordinated actors, the ______ machinery may be unable to produce coherent and affective policies

<p>democratic</p> Signup and view all the answers

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