What does comparative politics do?

Comparative Politics studies and compares political systems, institutions, and behaviors across different countries to understand how governments operate and why they differ

What distinguishes International Relations from Comparative Politics?

International Relations focuses on interactions between countries (war, diplomacy, trade), while Comparative Politics studies politics within countries.

What is the difference between correlation and causality?

• Correlation: Two variables move together.
• Causality: One variable directly causes a change in another.

What are dependent and independent variables?

• Independent variable: Factor that causes change.
• Dependent variable: Outcome affected by the independent variable.

What does Modernization Theory postulate?

Modernization Theory argues that as countries industrialize and become wealthier, they are more likely to develop democratic institutions.

What is state sovereignty?

State Sovereignty is the authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference.

What is centralization and decentralization?

• Centralization: Power concentrated in national government.
• Decentralization: Power distributed to regional or local governments.

What are federal vs. unitary states?

• Federal state: Power shared between national and regional governments (e.g., United States).
• Unitary state: Power mainly held by central government (e.g., France).

State integration vs. state devolution?

• Integration: Strengthening national unity and central authority.
• Devolution: Transferring power from central government to regional governments.

State autonomy and state capacity?

• State autonomy: Ability of the state to act independently of social groups.
• State capacity: Ability of the state to implement policies effectively.

What types of legitimacy describe the US and UK states?

The United States and United Kingdom primarily rely on rational-legal legitimacy (authority based on laws and institutions).

patriotism vs. nationalism?

• Patriotism: Pride and love for one's country.
• Nationalism: Strong identification with one's nation, sometimes prioritizing it over others.

How does mass immigration challenge national identity?

A: Immigration can introduce new languages, cultures, and religions that challenge traditional ideas of national identity.

Ideologies vs. political attitudes?

• Ideology: A coherent set of beliefs about politics and government.
• Political attitude: Individual opinions about political issues.

Example ideology: Liberalism – supports individual rights and limited government.

Example political attitude: Support for higher minimum wage.

Liberalism vs. Social Democracy?

• Liberalism emphasizes free markets and individual freedom.
• Social Democracy supports capitalism but with strong welfare programs and government regulation.

What is the populist challenge in France, the UK, the US, and Germany?

Populism refers to movements claiming to represent “the people” against political elites and institutions, often criticizing globalization and immigration.

How did Greece, Rome, and the Magna Carta shape democracy?

• Athenian Democracy introduced citizen participation.
• Roman Republic contributed republican governance and representation.
• Magna Carta limited monarch power and promoted rule of law.

Presidential vs parliamentary systems?

• residential: Separate executive and legislature (e.g., United States).
• Parliamentary: Executive comes from legislature (e.g., United Kingdom).

Why do single-member districts lead to two-party systems?

According to Duverger's Law, winner-take-all elections discourage small parties because voters avoided “wasting” votes.

Civil liberties vs civil rights?

• Civil liberties: Freedom from government interference (speech, religion).
• Civil rights: Protections against discrimination.

What makes a developed democracy?

Free elections, rule of law, protection of rights, strong institutions, and high economic development.

British vs American Political Regimes

Similarities:

• Democratic systems
• Rule of law
• Protection of civil rights

Differences:

• United States has a presidential system and written constitution.
• United Kingdom has a parliamentary system and unwritten constitution.

How do central banks help the economy?

Federal Reserve-type institutions control interest rates, regulate banks, and manage inflation.

Arguments for and against free trade?

• For: economic growth, lower prices, efficiency.
• Against: job losses, inequality, dependency.

Liberalism

Free markets and limited government.

Social Democracy

Capitalism with welfare protections.

Communism

State ownership of production

Mercantilism

Government promotes exports and economic nationalism

Gross Domestic Product

Product measures total economic output

Gini Index

measures income inequality

Human Development Index

measures quality of life

French Dirigism strengths

strong government planning

strategic industry support

Presidential vs parliamentary systems?

• Presidential: one elected president leads the government, but the law-making branch is separate from them.
• Parliamentary: Executive comes from legislature (e.g., United Kingdom).

German social market economy strengths

balance of markets

strong industrial base

Challenges of German social market economy stengths

high social spending costs

How did European imperialism shape colonies?

European imperialism imposed ethnic divisions and extractive economies that still affect political stability and development

Iran Development

Strong monarchy and religious influence before revolution

Mexico State Development

Colonial Spanish rule followed by revolutionary restructuring of the state

Political violence

institutional explanations argue weak or unfair institutions increase political violence

Revolution

mass uprising to overthrow government

terrorism

violence by small groups to create fear and influence politics

Russian Vs Chinese Revolution Similarities

communist ideology

peasant and worker support

revolutionary overthrow of old regimes

Russian Vs Chinese Revolution Differences

Russian revolution led by industrial workers and Bolsheviks

Chinese community revolution relied heavily on rural peasants guerrilla warfare