Involves two separate elements It is a subject of study--comparing the nature of

politics and the political process across different political systems.

It is a method of study--how and why we make such comparisons.

Political decisions are social public

authoritative.They take place within a

political system.

The public sphere deals with collective decisions that extend beyond the individual and typically involve government action.

◦ Private sphere deals with actions that

do not bind anyone outside a group

(e.g., family, friends).

◦ Boundaries exist between the two. These boundaries can

change.

Politics is authoritative.◦ Authority: Formal power rests with individuals or groups

whose decisions are expected to be carried out and respected.

◦ Decisions are binding on the political system.

Politics refers to activities associated with the control of public decisions among a given people and within a given territory.

Politics involves the crafting of these decisions.

Governments: LimitedGovernments –

organizations of individuals who are legally empowered to make binding decisions on behalf of a particular community

Limited governments built on model of Night Watchman (nineteenth century in W. Europe)

Minarchists – Contemporay Advocates of

Watchman State argue that the state has no right to interfere

in free transactions between peoplethe state's sole responsibility as ensuring

that transactions between private individuals are free.

In general, the majority of minarchists use deontological arguments: they claim that a minimal state is good in and of itself

Objectivist philosophy of Ayn Rand is notable for its support of minarchism, believing that the taxes that fund government actions are essentially theft.

Governments: Expanded Welfare State Begins Otto Von Bismark

Germany in 1870’sImpetus from great

depressionBritain under the

Labor government USA – FDR

Roosevelt

Why Governments Expanded ?

Community- and nation-buildingHelp create a national political culture

Security and orderProtecting property and other rightsPromoting economic efficiency and

growthPublic goodsExternalities

Social justiceProtecting the weak

ISI: Third WorldGreat Depression – Stimulus Shantytowns in Latin

America: residents seek more livable conditions Reaction against

dependency on the industrialized world

Centered in Economic/Social Commission of the United Nations

Loss of luster with decline of Soviet Union

State of Nature & the Social Contract Hobbs

State of nature mercilessly inhospitableGovernment needed to be a Leviathan

RousseauMan is born freeGovernment source of inequality

LockeLess dire view of state of nature than HobbsPromoted limited government

Government as a problem??

Anarchists and libertarians

Destruction of the community

Violation of basic rights

Protect private gain of vested interests

Inirtia

Political Systems and StatesPolitical system

Has two properties:It has a set of interdependent parts.It has boundaries towards the environment with

which it interacts.Examples: ecosystems; social systems such

as a familyPolitical systems are a particular type of

social system - makes authoritative public decisionsElements within it are institutions of government,

political organizations

Political Systems: Characteristics

PropertiesSet of independent

partsBoundaries toward

environmentPolitical systems are

a particular type of social system - makes authoritative public decisions

Elements within it are institutions of government, political organizations

STATES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT AND

POWERFUL POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN THE MODERN

WORLD

The Diversity of StatesBig and small states

Vatican City - smallest legally independent entity in geographic size and population

Russia - largest landmass China and India - largest populations

Political implications of geographic and population size?Big countries not always most importantSmall ones can be: Cuba, Israel, Vatican City

Area and population do not determine a country’s political system.

Geographic location can have strategic implications.

Challenges within the Diversity of States

All face common challenges:Building communityFostering economic and social development

Advancing democracy and civil liberties

CHALLENGES OF COMMUNITY BUILDING

Correspondence between membership in state and nation is not always close

Line between ethnicity and nationality is fine but often important

Language: force for unity and division

Cumulative and cross-cutting cleavages

Georgian troops fire rockets at South Ossetian rebels near Tskinvali, the

South Ossetian capital.

CHALLENGES OF COMMUNITY BUILDING

Correspondence between membership in state and nation is not always close

Line between ethnicity and nationality is fine but often important

Language: force for unity and division

Cumulative and cross-cutting cleavages

Georgian troops fire rockets at South Ossetian rebels near Tskinvali, the

South Ossetian capital.

Nationality and Ethnicity There is a fine line between nations and ethnic groups. Ethnicity need not have any objective basis in genetics, culture,

or history. Ethnic differences can be a source of political conflict.

Former Soviet bloc Former Yugoslavia

In many developing countries, boundaries cut across ethnic lines. Former colonies: Britain withdrew from India and divided the

subcontinent into a northern Muslim area - Pakistan - and a southern Hindu area - India. Consequence: terrible civil conflict and “ethno-religious” cleansing

Nigeria Rwanda

Traits related to political significant “ethnicity” Physical differences, language, norms against intermarriage, religion,

and negative historical memories. Multiethnic countries

Religious Differences and Fundamentalism

States vary in their religious characteristics.Religion may be a basis of national identity for a

majority of the population: Israel, the Irish Republic, and Pakistan

Iran is a theocratic regime.Religious authorities governReligious law is part of the country’s legal code

Religion can be a rallying point for political movements.SpainTurkeyPoland

Fostering Economic Development

Two major forces transforming political systems and nations Process of economic development Political democratization

A political system cannot satisfy its citizens if it does not foster these social and economic development.

Living standards Globalization, democratization, and marketization HDI- Human Development Index

Structure of the labor force Agriculture Urbanization

WEALTH CREATIONAn important state

responsibility?Is there a relationship between economic development and

democracy?