What is Comparative Government?

We will look out our global window, instead of in the mirror…

Comparing Nation States

Comparative Government:“The essence of comparative government as a study is to compare the ways in which different societies cope with various problems; the role of the political structures involved being of particular interest.” {Dictionary of Modern Politics}

We must use a Comparative Lens

Activists holding placards depicting the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, protest against Russia's new anti-gay laws in London.

Three Lenses for Comparison• Political (Past and Present)

• Economic (How developed? What SUPRANATIONAL organizations does the country belong to?)

• Social & Cultural (Quality of life/Civil Society)Civil Society = How do citizens organize themselves and define their interests? Voluntary; outside of the State

Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Numerical Data Case Studies

Empirical v. Normative DataFRQ Question #2 2013

Statement X: The rate of population growth has decreased in Iran since the 1990s.

Statement Y: Developing countries should adopt population growth policies similar to Iran’s.

Identify the empirical statement above. Identify the normative statement above. Explain the difference between a NORMATIVE and an EMPIRICAL statement.

Empirical v. NormativeFRQ Question #2 2013

Statement X: The rate of population growth has decreased in Iran since the 1990s. EMPIRICAL

Statement Y: Developing countries should adopt population growth policies similar to Iran’s. NORMATIVE

Identify the empirical statement above. Identify the normative statement above. Explain the difference between aNORMATIVE and an EMPIRICAL statement.

subjective or value-related judgments

factual or objective statements

Themes of the Course

I. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power

Politics = PowerWho has it?

How did they get it?How are they keeping it?

Themes of the Course

I. Sovereignty, Authority, and PowerII. Political InstitutionsIII. Citizens, Society and the State

Social CleavagesIV. Political and Economic Change

REFORM – REVOLUTION – COUPV. Public Policy

Crisis of Nation-BuildingFocus on Legitimacy

The popular acceptance of a governing law or regime as an authority;

The people BELIEVE it to be a proper or acceptable form of government;

Sociologist Max WeberTraditional: belief that tradition should determine who rules and how; longevity Legal: based on a system of laws and procedures (common law and/or legal precedent)Charismatic: based on a dynamic personality; Napoleon

The process of Democratization (Dramatic trend in the past 30 yrs.)

“It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried. “

- Winston Churchill, British politician (1874 - 1965)

Three Waves of DemocratizationSamuel Huntington

1. Late nineteenth century: Industrialization and Urbanization (about 20 democracies/out of 65 nations)

2. After WW II: Break up of the colonial empires in Africa, Asia and Caribbean

3. 1970’s: Latin America, Asia and the fall of the USSR

Are we headed into a 4th with the “Arab Spring?”

Egypt

China

Russia

Democratic Regimes

Procedural Democracy• Elections for

policymakers• BUT sometimes a

façade – a dominant party, the military or a “strong man” dominate

“Illiberal Democracies”

Substantive Democracies• Free and fair elections• Freedom of the press

and to organize • Independent court

system• Civil Rights and Liberties

= Civil Society

Jihad vs. McWorld

“The planet is falling precipitately apart and coming reluctantly together as the very same moment.”

FOCUS QUESTION:

What will be the lasting legacy of globalization: an interdependent, peaceful global society or one rife with localism, fragmentation and conflict?

Use evidence to support your statement

As a group, discuss the readings, and providing quotes or examples that support the section heading you are responsible for.

Jihad vs. McWorld Discussion

JIHAD Reading: Peaceful Global Society JIHAD Reading: Fragmentation & Conflict