A FRAMEWORK FOR COMPARISONS

Conceptual Approach to Comparative Government

& Politics

Mexico

Nigeria

Britain

Iran China

Russia

How can we compare 6 different countries that have different histories, cultures, peoples, governments, politics, values, views on the

world, policies, futures, etc.?

1. Systems Theory

Models for Comparison

We will use the current health care debate to illustrate this process.

Interest Groups – groups formed to ‘lobby’ around specific issues and concerns of a group Ex.) Trade Unions, Business Associations, Military Contractors

Political Parties – larger entity that tries to bring together the interests of a number of groups & gain control over government. Ex.) Democrats, Republicans

Protestors/Rebels – ‘outside the system’ groups that try to influence government Ex.) 9/11 Hijackers

Models for Comparison Inputs – ways average

citizens and their groups engage in political life. Ex.) voting, attending listening

sessions

Models for Comparison Decision Making –

influenced/determined by the structure of their institution and the values, skills, & personalities of their leaders.

Output (Policy)– regulatory, redistributive, and symbolic actions by government Ex.) Health Care Reform, Taxes, Changing the National

Anthem (Iran 1979)

Feedback – process through which people find out about policy & the ways in which their reactions help the next phase of the process Ex.) Media

Models for Comparison Environment – everything

lying outside the political system that influences through this process Ex.) History Ex.) Social, Economic, Physical

Condition Ex.) Global Forces (increasingly

important factor)

2. Three World Approach• System used prior to the early 1990s

• 1st World – The United States & Its Allies• 2nd World – The Soviet Union & Its Allies• 3rd World – Nations that didn’t fit above and were all

economically underdeveloped & deprived.

Models for Comparison

3. 21st Century/Modern Approach• Since the end of the Cold War, the world has changed –

politically, economically, & socially 1. Advanced Democracies Nations 2. Communist/Post-Communist Nations3. Newly Industrializing/Less Developed Nations

Models for Comparison

Advanced Democracies• AP GAP – Britain• Characteristics:• Rich, Western countries• Representative government• Competitive elections• Rule of law• Active & Civic culture• Legitimate power of government• Civil Liberties• Post-Industrial & Mixed Economies

Models for Comparison

Post Communist & Communist• AP GAP – Russia & China• Characteristics:• Authoritarian/Totalitarian political histories• Command Economies • High levels of social services• Old infrastructure & industrial capital• Beginnings of market-orientated economies• Social & Economic Problems

Models for Comparison

Newly Industrializing/Less Developed• AP GAP – Iran, Mexico, Nigeria• Characteristics:• Former Colonies of Western Powers• Powerful foreign multinational corporations • Power of government is weak, unstable• Dramatic poverty• Lack of basic public services• Low political integration• Serious ethnic conflict• Large gap in wealth and education• Rapid population growth• Environmental degradation

Models for Comparison