Comparative Politics Midterm Study Guide PDF

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Comparative Politics Midterm Study Guide: Essay Questions -Question 1Paragraph 1- Intro  Representative Democracy: The citizens themselves debate and reach decisions on matters of common interest.  Direct Democracy: Citizens elect a parliament and in presidential systems, a chief executive. These representatives are held to account at the next election. Paragraph 2- Representative Democracy  All contemporary liberal democracies are representative (indirect)  Representative: stands for another person, group, or entity.  Made in opposition to a direct democracy and focuses more on elections rather than limits on authority like the modern liberal democracies that branch from it. o Liberal Democracy: embraces the notions of a freely elected government but adds a distinct concern with limits the executive scope  AKA- limited government  Strengths: those who want to participate have the choice to do so (how would society be if we forced people to be involved politically?), and leaders are accountable for decisions.  Weaknesses: disunity among political parties, not more efficient, short-term focus, rational choice approach- just trying to get elected, do not always focus on the bigger picture.  Example: American democracy diffuses power across institutions whereas the British democracy emphasizes the sovereignty of parliament. Paragraph 3- Direct Democracy  Core principle is self rule  All adults participate in a decision making process that includes equality and deliberation  Strengths: places government in hands of citizens, allows representation of societal interest, incorporate alienated officials.  Weaknesses: difficult to overturn a decision, voters do not have info to make good decisions, eliminates conversation, hard to function efficiently in a large state.  Aristotle: Athenian Democracy (assembly any male, land owner over 20), rotating council that 1/3 people would eventually serve on, legal system with juries, o Citizenship was restricted to men whose parents were citizens, most citizens absent, time consuming, not always decisive and coherent policy, lack of permanent bureaucracy.

-Question 2-

Paragraph 1- Basic Conditions for Democracy  Democracy: System of governance in which rulers are held accountable for their action in the public realm by citizens- Schmitter and Karl  3rd Wave: Sammuel Huntington 1970s new era of democracy…Arab states immune  2 views of Democracy o Substantive: normative view of democracy (what it should be)  Values bases, judges democracy as inherently good, outcome based  Outcome: full political accountability, social equality, equality of opportunity o Procedural (Dahl): minimalist view  Inclusions: who is allowed to participate  Contestation: ability of people to organize in favor of what they want Paragraph 2- Basic Conditions for Democracy Dahl  Control over government decision  Elected officials chosen frequently and fairly  Practically all adults have the right to vote  Practically all adults have the right to run for office  Citizens have a right to express themselves without the danger of severe punishment on political matters  Citizens have a right to seek out alternative sources of information  Citizens have the right to form relatively independent associations  ------------ Shmitter and Karl added the following two  Popularly elected officials must be able to exercise their constitutional powers without being subjected to overriding from unelected officials (military officers).  Polity must be self governing o Act independently of hierarchal political system Paragraph 3- Diamond: Why There are No Arab Democracies January 2010  Oil is the Reason for Resistance o Money goes straight to government so people who get it do not want to give it away o Solution: lower price of oil lowers revenue  Oil companies wont do that so have to decrease demand, but we need oil so that will not happen either  Religion and Culture plays role but not sufficient o There are multinational states: Canada and India o Religion: sharia law, monarchial administration  Hard to change what’s already there  Economics o Move from survival mentality to prosperity mentality.  Geopolitics o Repression is encouraged from other Arab nations o Arab- Israeli Conflict don’t focus on internal but external problems o Foreign Aid- like oil, just goes to government for more repression.

Paragraph 4- Arab Spring  Tunisia o Sick of the corruption and want political transformation and economic equality o Constitution under Sebsi  Egypt o Wanted to over throw Mubarak for high prices, high unemployment, corruption, wanted elections o Morsi- Muslim Brotherhood elected Paragraph 5- Why China Will Democratize- Liu and Chen 2012  Economic Development o China’s inequality-has traditionally been realm of urban rural gap  Therefore, wealth gap has not been visible  Equality has become major political issues o People thought increasing gap meant opportunity for upward mobility  CCP systematically discriminated against local private entrepreneurships o Recent economic trends are politically neutralizing important social calluses, creating a reservoir of forces available for political mobilization.  Cultural Change o Chinese culture is not obstructing democratization to extent that some think  Intellectual leadership is moving towards liberalism  Media is cultural arena to spread information  Political Leadership o Elites form factions to compete for power and legitimacy o Democracy may not be ultimate goal but can be unintended outcome o leaders of net generation more liberal, ease censorship (Wang Yang)  Global Environment o spread of norms through structural factors (trade) and deliberate efforts of global actors o trade liberalization increases economic inequality o authoritarian rulers interested in gaining access to international funds have strong incentive to hold elections because donors generously reward dictators who hold elections -Question 3Paragraph 1- What is a democracy and What is Authoritarianism  Democracy: System of governance in which rulers are held accountable for their action in the public realm by citizens- Schmitter and Karl  Authoritarian: rulers seek to maintain their control and increase their wealth by limiting mass participation, rather than by mobilizing the population.  Democracy is the absence of authoritarianism

Paragraph 2-Proof from readings  Competitive authoritarian regimes hold some aspects of democracy  Schmitter and Karl “What Democracy Is and Is Not” o Participation- all citizens may not take active part, checks and balances  Iran: The Supreme Leader has the ultimate say regardless of what the other branches want. Also appoints people into the government (President, Guardian Council, Parliament) weak checks and balances  Krastev: repression is not to fear…. It’s the openness o Non-ideological nature of new authoritarianism regimes strengthens rather than increases vulnerability because there is no accountability or expectations. o Openness people see a new way of life and demand change can also organize form abroad  promote the survival of regime because haters can just leave. Paragraph 3-USA, Britain, France  Embrace the notion of freely elected government and limits the executive scopes  Paragraph 4- Russia, Iran  Elections are a part of democracy but not necessarily the defining factor  The Green Revolution in Iran (elections) o 2009 election 40 candidates 8 acceptedpeople thought it was fraud 2/3 votes counted o A won too early, before they were all counted o Mousavi was a reformist who lost the election called on supporters to protest and there was a violent crackdown and televised trials for victims o Dictators Dilemma: repression leads to increased fear which leads to more patronage.  Russia (freedoms) o Putin was president 2000-2008; Medvedev 2008-2012; Putin 2012-? o Semi presidential system, No effective turnover in power (dem qual) o Media censorship and propaganda. Don’t show opponents -Question 4Paragraph 1-What is a State?  State: entity that uses coercion or threat of force to rule a given territory o Born in Europe, carried West by imperial powers  War made the state and the state made war- Tilly  State needs 1. Sovereignty (internal: people living in state recognize authority; external: control is appreciated by other countries/states) 2. Territory (differentiates a state from a nation)  Peace of Westphalia: brought end to 30 Years War and gave territorial rulers more control over exercise of religion within their boundaries.

Paragraph 2- Formation and Consolidation  Economic- Marxist Thought o State emerges out of Bourgeoisies exploit labor o Interest is to maximize profit o Criticism: assumes every state emerges for interest of those with capital  Cultural- Nationalism and Religion o People who are part of Nation identify with territory  Because of this what’s in their in interest in the interest of the state  Nation/ state overlap o Religion: Calvinism disciplined living (chastity and morality), easier to govern o Culture explanation not very robust, used to complement.  Political- Contract Theory o Emerge where it is difficult for individuals to cooperate (Hobbes, Locke, R.)  Escape the state of nature, give up natural rights  Explains why people in Afghanistan live under Taliban o Predatory- when state is at odds with individual  Ruler trying to survive like everyone else  State is byproduct of ruler trying to survive Paragraph 3- What is a failed State? Example?  Failed State: state which fails basic conditions and responsibilities of sovereign gov. o No territory, authority or public services  Somalia- 1991: 14 attempts to establish national government. Transitional government recognized by foreign countries o Supreme Revolutionary Council: abolished assembly, suspended constitution o The Ogden War- Ethiopia defeated Somalia o Union of Islamic Courts took power considered Terrorist threat by USA o Guerilla warfare o Al-Shabaab- imposes Sharia Law, allegiance to Al-Queada, piracy, pay offs Paragraph 4- What do weak or failing states need to become strong?  Capacity: ability to carry out basic tasks o Ex- control violence, tax, rule of law, manage economy o Low cap states- influenced by international actors and public opinion  Autonomy: ability to yield power independently  War and the State of Africa- Herbst Peace= perpetual weakness o In Europe war helped with extracting resources and nationalism that African countries lack. o Taxes during war  More revenue without citizen protest  War affects state finances for two reasons  Its puts strain on leaders to find new income

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Citizens are more likely to acquiesce taxation during war for survival.

o Nationalism  External threats have such a powerful affect of nationalism because people realize in a profound manner that they are under threat because of who they are as a nation.  War increases both as population was convinced by external threat they should pay more to the state Tilly- 3 Types of Extraction o Coercion Intensive- Russia take from people o Capitol Intensive-Netherlands  rulers borrow from merchants o Capitol Coercion- Britain and Franc tax large towns with $ at higher rate

Paragraph 5- Contemporary Challenges  Globalization- takes power away from the state  Terrorism- national security is expensive  Integration- does it really help the state? -Question 5Paragraph 1- General Features  Authoritarian: rulers seek to maintain their control and increase their wealth by limiting mass participation, rather than by mobilizing the population.  2 defining characteristics o 1- lack of constitutional restraint (law does not apply equally)  callous treatment of powerless (minority, women, prisoners) o 2- uncertain secession (When will there be a new ruler?)  consequence: can be removed by upstarts at any time, meaning that they must devote constant attention to shoring up their position.)  Example: Tunisia  Associated with economic stagnation Paragraph 2- Different Forms  Personal Despotism: power is held within person or the ruler (Kim Jong-Il)  Monarchy: secession, most stable form, sovereign within royal family and other family members in high political/military positions. o Saudi Arabia: survived Arab spring because people were protesting for economic conditions not political transformations.  Ruling Parties: single party with strong president o China  Ruling Presidents: dominates politics and media  Military Rule: government ruled by military through a junta composed of a leader form each branch of armed forces  Theocracy: religious leaders rule directly o “Kohmeini’s Ideology and Iran’s Grand Strategy”- Takruh

Iran: was a monarchy but because of economic problems and relationships with West, K was able to overthrow. He brought a new sense of nationalism and religion. Saw the Iranian Revolution as Islamic Revolution. Therefore as a model to all, does not like democracy and sovereignty rests with God not with people. Legitimacy based on position in the clergy. Revolution united groups. Competitive Authoritarian Regimes: o Levistsky and Way: falls short of democracy and full scale of authoritarianism  ruler is a president who is elected but the process is biases through manipulation of the media. Has limited constitutional restraint. Leader> institution Law is used selectively. 

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Paragraph 3- How do they persist?  Military and Security Presence o Must be willing and able to use this resource o High spending on resources from revenue of natural resources. Can buy off opposition. Lavish treatment of armed forces  stagnant economy Example:  Unofficial Patronage System o Holders of office are provided with resources like more power and access to $ o Become allegiance to patron and therefore regime o Leads to weak institutions but strong alliances that hold regime together.  Corruption: abuse of power for private gain  Corruption corrodes public support and increases potential instability. Example:  Control over Media o Rulers ensure favorable media coverage, opponents are criticizes o Censorship is implemented by catch- all offenses such as threatening the dignity and effectiveness of the state.  Liberation Technology- Mackinnon: government censors so people cannot come together and form opposition movement, therefore Chinese citizens need to e careful in how they unite online. Can’t voice for political autonomy or independence.  Summary o Fear and vulnerability, control mechanisms  Politics before economics and obedience before initiative which often leads to a stagnant society o However- authoritarian rule can also be compatible with rapid economic growth.  Generate surplus for this industrialization by resisting short-term electoral pressures for immediate consumption. Therefore people are happy within the regime and do not protest allowing this type of rule to continue. Short Answer Possible Questions:

1. In your view, is the essence of politics to be found in making public choices or pursuing private interests?

2. Was the twentieth century the age of nationalism or the age of ideology?

3. Is sovereignty finished?

4. Should ensuring human security be the prime function of the modern state?

5. 'The core principle of democracy is self-rule.' What problems have arisen in putting this principle into practice?

6. Is democratic governance giving way to governance by experts and regulators?

7. What is the relationship between economic development and authoritarian rule?

8. Are authoritarian regimes inherently corrupt and unstable?

9. Which theoretical approach is most useful for students of comparative politics and why?

10. What are the strengths and weakness of the institutional approach to the study of politics?

11. What, in your view, can the comparative method contribute to the study of politics?

12. Explore how different types of case study could be used in studying one of the following: electoral systems, constitutions, the political executive....