AP Comparative Government Unit 1: Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics

Compared to what? President Obama is a great president! Compared to who? President Bush (his predecessor) William Henry Harrison (Prez for 31 days) Felipe Calderon (Prez of Mexico) Mahmoud Ahmedinajad (“Prez” of Iran) Bill Gates (Microsoft president) It’s unscientific to make statements without making comparisons!!!

What is it? The comparison of government and politics across countries.The comparison of government and politics across countries. Topics will includeTopics will include Sovereignty, Authority, and Power Political and Economic Change Citizens, Society, and the State Political Institutions Public Policy

Comparative Method Cold War (1900s) – 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd Worlds Today 170 nation states: –“Advanced” democracy – high level of economic development, open elections (Britain, US) –Communist/Post-Communist – system that limits freedoms to divide wealth equally (Russia, China) –Less developed, newly industrializing – rapid growth, political instability (Mexico, Iran, Nigeria)

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power World Power is organized into statesWorld Power is organized into states What is a state?: Comprises a country’s key political institutions that are responsible for making, implementing, enforcing important policiesWhat is a state?: Comprises a country’s key political institutions that are responsible for making, implementing, enforcing important policies States by their nature are SOVEREIGN: The ability to carry out actions or policies within their borders w/o interference.States by their nature are SOVEREIGN: The ability to carry out actions or policies within their borders w/o interference.

Nations What is the difference between a state and a nation?What is the difference between a state and a nation? A nation is a group of people bound together by a common political identity.A nation is a group of people bound together by a common political identity. Nationalism: Sense of belonging and identity that distinguishes one nation from another. Often seen as patriotismNationalism: Sense of belonging and identity that distinguishes one nation from another. Often seen as patriotism

Regimes The rules that a state sets and follows in exerting its powerThe rules that a state sets and follows in exerting its power They endure beyond individual governments and leadersThey endure beyond individual governments and leaders Regimes can be compared:Regimes can be compared: 1. Democracies 2. Authoritarian Regimes

Democracies This type of regime bases its authority on the will of the people.This type of regime bases its authority on the will of the people. It may be indirect: representative democracy, electing someone to represent youIt may be indirect: representative democracy, electing someone to represent you It may be direct: Individuals have immediate say over decisionsIt may be direct: Individuals have immediate say over decisions

Nation vs. state Nation – a group of people who share common cultural traits (ethnicity, language, religion) –Nationalism - a sense of self identification enabling them to be distinguished from other groups of people State – a political unit (think “Country”) –These political units are separated by legal borders –Every “state” has the right to make laws for the territory within the boundaries

Nation vs. state Nations –Arabs –Latino –Jews –Palestinians –Scottish –Quebecois –Kurds –Koreans –Protestants States –Iran –Mexico –Israel –UK –Canada –Iraq –South Korea –USA

Social Cleavages Societies are split along lines (cleavages) that form different political views –Social Class – Marx - “bourgeois vs. proletariat” –Geographic region – Nigeria has Muslim north vs. Christian south or US Civil War –Religion –Urban-Rural – China has stark differences Cross-cutting cleavages – people may disagree in one area but agree in another, keeps states from breaking apart

US Urban-Rural cleavage

Nation-state? A political unit that has legal boundaries that is also made of one united nation Can you think of any that exist? USA? Japan? Mexico? How do you create a nation-state? –ONE language, ONE religion, ONE leader, national pride, symbols, etc.

Parliamentary vs Presidential Parliamentary System: Citizens vote for legislature which in turns selects leaders of the executive branchParliamentary System: Citizens vote for legislature which in turns selects leaders of the executive branch Presidential System: Citizens vote for legislature and President, with separation of powersPresidential System: Citizens vote for legislature and President, with separation of powers

Authoritarian Regimes Decisions are made by political elites, little no input from citizensDecisions are made by political elites, little no input from citizens Ruled by: Monarch, Single political party, small group of aristocrats.Ruled by: Monarch, Single political party, small group of aristocrats. Economy is tightly controlledEconomy is tightly controlled

Legitimacy Who has the authority to rule?Who has the authority to rule? All country’s answer this question just in different ways, and some not as well as othersAll country’s answer this question just in different ways, and some not as well as others 3 basic forms of legitimacy3 basic forms of legitimacy 1. Traditional 2. Charismatic 3. Rational-legal

Types of Legitimacy Traditional Legitimacy: Belief that tradition should decide who rulesTraditional Legitimacy: Belief that tradition should decide who rules Charismatic Legitimacy: Based on the dynamic personality of an individual leader or small groupCharismatic Legitimacy: Based on the dynamic personality of an individual leader or small group Rational Legal legitimacy: Based on well established system of laws and proceduresRational Legal legitimacy: Based on well established system of laws and procedures Most modern states based on Rational legalMost modern states based on Rational legal

Political Culture and Political Ideologies What is Political Culture? A collection of political beliefs, values, practices and institutions that government is based on.What is Political Culture? A collection of political beliefs, values, practices and institutions that government is based on. What is Political Ideology? Set of political values held by individuals regarding the basic goals of government and politics.What is Political Ideology? Set of political values held by individuals regarding the basic goals of government and politics.

Examples of Political Ideology 1. Liberalism: Political and Economic Freedom 2. Communism: Equality over freedom 3. Socialism: Equality with some liberalism 4. Fascism: The state has right to eliminate obstacles that might weaken the state. Rejects equality 5. Religion: Source of group identity

Political and Economic Change Types of changeTypes of change 1. Reform: Does not advocate overthrow of basic institutions 2. Revolution: Major revision or overthrow of existing institution 3. Coup d’etats: Replace the leadership of a country with new leaders

Attitudes toward change Radicalism: Belief in rapid and dramatic changeRadicalism: Belief in rapid and dramatic change Liberalism: Reform rather than revolutionLiberalism: Reform rather than revolution Conservatism: Much less supportive of changeConservatism: Much less supportive of change Reactionary Beliefs: Want to go further than stopping change, turn the clock back to an earlier timeReactionary Beliefs: Want to go further than stopping change, turn the clock back to an earlier time

Three Trends They can be summed up in three trendsThey can be summed up in three trends 1. Democratization 2. Movement toward Market Economies 3. Revival and Ethnic or Cultural Politics

Democratization More & More nations are turning toward DemocracyMore & More nations are turning toward Democracy Competitive elections: A lot of countries with gray areasCompetitive elections: A lot of countries with gray areas Liberal Democracies tend to have: Civil Liberties, Rule of Law, Neutrality of the Judiciary, Open civil society, and Civilian control of the governmentLiberal Democracies tend to have: Civil Liberties, Rule of Law, Neutrality of the Judiciary, Open civil society, and Civilian control of the government

Movement toward Market Economies Old command economies are fading. IE. Soviet Union state planning and ownership. Only exist in combination w/ market economyOld command economies are fading. IE. Soviet Union state planning and ownership. Only exist in combination w/ market economy The issue now is what type of Market Economy: Mixed or pure?The issue now is what type of Market Economy: Mixed or pure?

Revival of Ethnic and Cultural Politics Divisions based on ethnic or cultural identity or fragmentation is becoming the norm in the worldDivisions based on ethnic or cultural identity or fragmentation is becoming the norm in the world The Politicization of religion has become the hot topic/problemThe Politicization of religion has become the hot topic/problem

Citizens, Society, and the State Religion, ethnic groups, race, social and economic classes all impact politicsReligion, ethnic groups, race, social and economic classes all impact politics They create social cleavagesThey create social cleavages How are cleavages expressed in political institutions?

Comparing Citizens/State Relationships Attitudes and beliefs of citizens: Do they trust the govt.? Do they believe govt. cares about what they think?Attitudes and beliefs of citizens: Do they trust the govt.? Do they believe govt. cares about what they think? Political Socialization: Where do they get it?Political Socialization: Where do they get it? Voting Behavior: Do they have regular elections? Who can vote?Voting Behavior: Do they have regular elections? Who can vote? Factors that influence political beliefs and behaviors: Who votes for whom?Factors that influence political beliefs and behaviors: Who votes for whom?

Civil Society The term refers to any organizations outside the state that help people define and advance their own interests.The term refers to any organizations outside the state that help people define and advance their own interests.

Political Institutions The same institution in two different countries does not mean that they both do the same thingThe same institution in two different countries does not mean that they both do the same thing

Levels of Government Every state has multiple levels of authority.Every state has multiple levels of authority. Unitary System: Concentrates decisions making in one central placeUnitary System: Concentrates decisions making in one central place Confederal System: spreads power among sub-units (states) weak central govt.Confederal System: spreads power among sub-units (states) weak central govt. Federal: divides power between central govt. and sub unitsFederal: divides power between central govt. and sub units

Unitary systems Federal Power Confederal Systems Concentrated PowerNo Concentration of Power

Supranational Organizations Organizations that effects decisions beyond boundaries.Organizations that effects decisions beyond boundaries. Some are international others are regionalSome are international others are regional In 20 th Century many have working relationships with regional organizations: OPEC, European Union, NAFTAIn 20 th Century many have working relationships with regional organizations: OPEC, European Union, NAFTA International: United NationsInternational: United Nations

UN Security Council To maintain international peace and securityTo maintain international peace and security To assist in settling disputesTo assist in settling disputes Members apply economic sanctions & other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggressionMembers apply economic sanctions & other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression To take military action against an aggressor;To take military action against an aggressor; To recommend the admission of new Members;To recommend the admission of new Members;

Members of Security Council Composed of 5 permanent members — China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States —Composed of 5 permanent members — China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States — 10 non-permanent members Ten non- permanent members, elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms and not eligible for immediate re-election.10 non-permanent members Ten non- permanent members, elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms and not eligible for immediate re-election.

Executive Many countries split between The Head of State and The Head of GovernmentMany countries split between The Head of State and The Head of Government Head of State: symbolizes/represents the people nationally or internationally. May or may not have any policy makingHead of State: symbolizes/represents the people nationally or internationally. May or may not have any policy making Head of Government: Deals with everyday running of the stateHead of Government: Deals with everyday running of the state

Bureaucracies Agencies that implement government policyAgencies that implement government policy

Legislatures UnicameralUnicameral BicameralBicameral Memberships of legislatures vary from direct voting by society, chosen by government officials, or determined by their membership in a partyMemberships of legislatures vary from direct voting by society, chosen by government officials, or determined by their membership in a party

Judiciaries Courts that decide guilt or innocence.Courts that decide guilt or innocence. Constitutional Courts ones with Judicial Review are new development.Constitutional Courts ones with Judicial Review are new development. Spurred by a desire for human rightsSpurred by a desire for human rights

Linkage Institutions Identifying groups that connect government to its citizens: political parties, interest groups, mediaIdentifying groups that connect government to its citizens: political parties, interest groups, media The larger the population and scope of government the more well developed their linkage institutionsThe larger the population and scope of government the more well developed their linkage institutions

Electoral Systems Rules that decide how votes are cast, counted, and translated into seats in the legislature.Rules that decide how votes are cast, counted, and translated into seats in the legislature. Single member districts: Candidates compete for a single representative seat and winner takes allSingle member districts: Candidates compete for a single representative seat and winner takes all Proportional Representation: More than one seat available in a district and voters vote for a party not a person. % of votes determines the number or seats the party will recieveProportional Representation: More than one seat available in a district and voters vote for a party not a person. % of votes determines the number or seats the party will recieve

Public Policy Policy is generally directed toward solving a problem or issuePolicy is generally directed toward solving a problem or issue All political system set policy by legislative vote, executive decision, judicial rulings or combinationAll political system set policy by legislative vote, executive decision, judicial rulings or combination In many countries interest groups and political parties play large rolesIn many countries interest groups and political parties play large roles

Legitimacy Belief of people that their gov has the right to rule over them Hobbes – people give up rights to the gov in exchange for security Locke – people give up rights to the gov in exchange for protection of property

Legitimacy and Corruption

Political Change Government change –Reform – change happens in the system of gov without overthrowing the basic institutions –Revolution – removal of an existing institution –Coup d’etats – leader is removed, military take over of power

Political Change Attitudes or beliefs about change Radicalism – demands rapid, immediate change Liberalism – gradual change Conservative – less supportive of changes Reactionary – will fight to prohibit change Radicalism LiberalismConservativeReactionary

Democratization “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried.” – Churchill aka – Liberalism – the expansion of both individual rights and the market economy -DO NOT think “liberal” as in US Democrats -Market economy = free trade, less regulation, profit goes to people and not government

Liberal Democracy Equal rule of law Civil liberties Neutral judiciary Open civil society (ex. Free press) Civilian military control Illiberal democracy – state has competitive elections, but missing some of the above

Globalization Increasing international contact and interdependence between states Thomas Friedman – The World is FlatThomas Friedman Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) – business that links their supply chain over multiple nations to increase profit Supranational Organizations – UN, IMF, European Union, NAFTA, OPEC, Al-Qaeda? Non-government Organizations (NGOs)– Red Cross, Greenpeace, Amnesty International

Globalization