The Comparative Approach Comparing governments instills understanding and helps explain past and current events and predict future events Public policy Political and economic change Citizens, society, and the state Political institutions Sovereignty, authority, and power Comparisons at multiple levels

Two Economic Models Socialism Government run Command economy 5 year plans (China, USSR, Iran) Nationalization – UK after WWII- NHS, BBC, Beveridge Report Para-statals – Mexico & PEMEX, Nigeria Bonyads (Iran) Import Substitution (ISI) Leads to Patron-Client Systems, Prebendalism TVEs (China- Township and Village Enterprises) High tariffs Subsidies People’s Communes in China, collectivization of Agriculture Iron Rice Bowl Old Age Pensions Lazaro Cardenas Mexico Rentier States Revenue Sharing More typical of Authoritarian Regimes Capitalism Individuals (business) own and runs the economy Free-markets, free trade Neo-Liberal Economic Reforms Privatization – UK Margret Thatcher Economic Liberalization Structural Adjustment Programs – IMF & World Bank Russia – perestroika, shock therapy China – 4 modernizations, SEZs, Open Door trade policy, Deng Xiaoping Theory, Hong Kong, Agriculture - Household responsibility system Mexico – NAFTA- PAN & Fox, Maquiladoras Foreign direct investment Democratic regimes Necessary precondition for democracy, China? Pendulum Theory (Mexico)

PLURALIST INTEREST GROUPS Multiple groups may represent a single societal interest. Group membership is voluntary and limited. Groups often have a loose or decentralized organizational structure. There is clear separation between interest groups and the government.

Advantages Competition between groups force them to come up with strong policy ideas Disadvantages Inefficiency can result from competition, hyper- pluralism Money’s influence

DEMOCRATIC CORPORATIST INTEREST GROUP SYSTEMS More organized in their representation of interests. They often, regularly work with the government and are stronger than pluralist interest groups. – Membership in the peak association is often compulsory and nearly universal. – Peak associations are centrally organized and direct the actions of their members. – Groups are often systematically involved in making and implementing public policy, UK much of 20 th century

State Corporatism State brings and even creates interest groups When business, labor, and the government work closely in policymaking This limits the influence of smaller groups Groups have little autonomy Secondary to the state in policy making Mexico under PRI rule

State-Controlled Transmission Belt System State creates and controls group No autonomy Common in authoritarian regimes Arm of the state Groups exist to facilitate government control of society China, Iran

Types of Executive Systems Presidential Single chief executive who performs ceremonial & political roles Both Head of State & Head of Government Terms of office are fixed Direct Elections Veto power Separation of powers and checks and balances Impeachment to remove Promotes gridlock Parliamentary Split chief executive Head of State, monarch, symbolizes the people Head of Government, Prime Minister (PM), runs the State and directs activities The influence of the executive rests almost primarily with their influence over the legislature. Terms of office vary depending on how well the PM holds the legislature Indirect Election through the legislature Fusion of Powers and Parliamentary Sovereignty Vote of no confidence Promotes action, collective responsibility

Parliamentary SystemPresidential System Legislative Branch Relationship with Chief Executive Parliament elected by voters. The majority party in Parliament chooses the prime minister. Congress elected by voters. Legislative and executive functions are separate. Chief Executive (Government Head) Prime minister who heads council of ministers, or "Cabinet" President, elected by voters, nominates cabinet members. Head of StateOften a constitutional monarch.President is head of state. Election PeriodsPrime minister can call new elections. Held at fixed intervals. Political PartiesOften a multiparty system. Government is formed by a ruling coalition of cooperating parties. Usually a two-party system with third parties holding marginal power. ExamplesIsrael, Great Britain, and her former colonies, such as India, Japan. The United States, Mexico, Nigeria and Brazil.

Code vs. Common Law Common Law Based on precedent Judges modify the system over time with their decisions Originated in the UK UK, US, Nigeria in the South and at the federal level, Hong Kong Code Law (Civil Law) Sometimes known as Continental European law The central source of law that is recognized as authoritative is codifications in a constitution or statute passed by legislature, to amend a code. Only legislative enactments (rather than legal precedents, as in common law) are considered legally binding. China, Russia, & Mexico Religious Law Sharia Law The moral code and religious law of Islam Based on Koran Secondary status for women Lots of capital Crimes Iran, North of Nigeria

Country Charts

are currently 9 women in parliament, of a total of 290 parliamentarians

Types of Regimes: Authoritarian vs. Democratic ________________________________________ III I I Russia *Nigeria UK US Nazis Stalinist Soviet Union China Iran Mexico Consolidated Democracy Semi-Authoritarian Regime Hybrid Regime Illiberal Democracy Transitional Democracy Procedural Democracy Totalitarian Authoritarian -Substantive Democracy -Liberal Democracy *Nigeria: Failed State? Anarchy? Does not categorize as well

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