Introduction to Comparative Politics

Introduction to Comparative Politics

• Comparative politics is the study of political phenomena in multiple settings, drawing general theoretical statements.
• Key questions include: who holds power, why, and why people behave politically in different ways.
• Formal and informal political structures, such as pluralistic vs. elite systems, matter for political analysis.
• Political actions, such as voting and protests, and violence are further considerations.

Basic Approaches

• Rational Choice: This approach assumes actors are rational, calculating costs and benefits, and maximizing preferences when making decisions. An example is voting based on party track records and manifestos.
• Psychological Model: This approach analyzes preferences and recognizes the role of rationality, emotions and identity in political action. Factors of identity and group membership are also significant drivers.

The Modern State

• The "state" is a set of institutions that govern laws and public policies within a specific territory.
• A regime is a system of rules that govern political activity, including power structure.
• A "nation" is a large aggregate of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language.
• Key characteristics of the state include: territory and sovereignty; the recognized right to rule (legitimacy); and a bureaucracy.
• A "strong" state can provide essential services, while a "weak" state struggles.

Social Group Identity and Political Behavior

• Social group identity plays a role in shaping political behavior.
• Beliefs, values, and cultures contribute to preferences, which are influenced by social cues and norms.

Theories Explaining State Development

• War and economic development can motivate state development.
• States that can efficiently extract resources, tax populations effectively, and engage citizens tend to do better.
• Colonial legacies often shape post-colonial state development.

Social Democracy

• Basic requirements of liberal democracy include civil and political liberties protected by the state.
• Social democracy enhances these liberties with social and economic rights.
• The role of the state expands in social democracies.

Socialism/Communism Regimes

• These regimes are based on the ideas of Karl Marx, arguing class struggle reflects underlying economic structures.
• Capitalism supposedly exploits the working class.
• Communism seeks to establish a stateless society where ownership of the means of production is collective.

Fascism

• This regime type prioritizes the nation over individuals, often with an emphasis on nationalism and the leader's power.
• The state works closely with business interests, and there's a suppression of individual rights.

Authoritarianism

• Authoritarian regimes do not aspire to direct citizens’ personal lives but instead control their political participation.
• Authoritarian regimes seek to control political behavior through repression.

Electoral Systems

• Single-member districts (SMDs) typically produce two-party systems, leading to a higher sense of voter identification with representatives.
• Proportional Representation (PR) systems allow for more representation of diverse views/groups but can lead to unstable legislatures.
• Party discipline is more common in parliamentary systems in which legislators vote in blocs,.

Nationalism and Immigration

• Nationalism is a unifying force in several countries.
• Immigrants may face differing levels of access to political rights.
• Intersectionality is important for understanding the interplay of identities and experiences for any group.