comparative politics an introduction. globalization the world we live in grows more interconnected...
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Comparative PoliticsAn Introduction
Globalization
The world we live in grows more interconnected by the day.
As the global economy grows, the interactions among the people of the world does as well.
With comparative politics, you have the opportunity to understand those connections, and to compare and contrast the different nation-states of the world.
The Ever-Important Vocabulary
Political science: studying the political process and its impacts on citizens
Normative questions: value-based questions
Empirical questions: data/fact-based questions
State: refers to the political power exercised over a defined geographic territory through a set of public institutions
Nation: a human community with a shared culture and history
Nation-state:
Government: collection of individuals who occupy political office or exercise state power
Regime: set of rules and institutions that control access to, and exercise of, political power and that typically endure from government to government
More vocabulary
Legitimacy: popularly accepted use of power by a government
Authority: formal power rests in individuals or groups whose decisions are expected to be carried out and respected
What do Governments Do?
What would life be like without a government?
Types of government:
Ron Teaches Andy
Expected to engage in community and nation-building
Helps instill common world views, values, and expectations
Can create a shared political culture
Provide security and order
Protect rights (think John Locke!)
Promote economic efficiency and growth
Provide social justice (income inequality?)
Protect the weak
Government as the problem?
Destroy community
Violate rights
Inefficient economy
Using government for private gain
Vested interests and inertia
Supranational OrganizationsEU-European Union-a political and economic union with 28 member
statesECOWAS-Economic Community of West African States-economic
integration union with 15 member nations
Problems Facing Nations Today
Developing world
Income inequality
Rapid industrialization
Erosion of culture
Environmental impacts
Developed World
Post-industrialization-Where do economies go from here?
Changing global alliances/globalization
Nuclear power
“Rogue states” and terrorism
Multiculturalism
Types of governmental
systems Authoritarian
Oligarchies South Africa under apartheid
Dictatorships Egypt (supported by military)
Totalitarian systems Soviet Union
North Korea
Types of Government Systems
Democracies
Direct
Representative
Presidential
Parlimentarian
Democratization
Happens first in most Western states
Spreads after WWII
Final, huge wave since 1974
Not necessarily stable democracies
Crisis can disrupt democracy See Arab Spring
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