Introduction to Comparative Government Key Terms & Methods

Before we begin… Government: the leadership and institutions that make policy decisions for the country Politics: the ways power is gained, managed, challenged, and maintained

Why study other gov’ts? 1.It’s part of a well-rounded education 2.To better understand US 3.To consider the nature of power in various forms 4.To learn from positive and negative experiences

The Comparative Method  AristotelianTheory: # of Rulers Interest of Everyone Self- Interest By Social Group OneMonarchyTyrannyKing Few Aristocracy Oligarchy The Wealthy Many Polity or Democracy Ochlocracy The Poor

The Comparative Method Three-World Approach: 1.United States + Allies 2.Soviet Union + Allies 3.Non-Aligned Countries (Usually economically underdeveloped & deprived)

The Comparative Method But… this approach ignores these recent trends: 1.Impact of informal politics 2.Importance of political change 3.Integration of political & economic systems

The Comparative Method Modern Classifications: 1.“ Advanced ” democracies 2.Communist & Post- Communist countries 3.Less developed & newly industrializing countries

Authority & Power - Terms Sovereignty: The exclusive right to exercise political authority over a territory State: Has a government, population, territory & sovereignty (can use force!) Nation: Group with a common ethnic or political identity

Authority & Power Regime: the form gov’t takes (often associated with a person or ideology) Constitutional Democracy direct vs. indirectConstitutional Democracy direct vs. indirect Authoritarian SystemAuthoritarian System Totalitarian System Totalitarian System 

Legitimacy “The right to rule” Traditional – history, ritual, divine law (often heredity)Traditional – history, ritual, divine law (often heredity) Charismatic – personal magnetism of leaderCharismatic – personal magnetism of leader Rational-legal – uses laws & procedures (bureaucratic)Rational-legal – uses laws & procedures (bureaucratic)

Culture & Ideology Political Culture: community- held beliefs, feelings, & values that influence gov’t (ex. individualism, level of political participation, etc.) Political Ideology: personally held beliefs about actions and goals of government

Ideologies Classical LiberalismClassical Liberalism Political & economic freedomPolitical & economic freedom CommunismCommunism Values equality over freedomValues equality over freedom No private property, little freedomNo private property, little freedom SocialismSocialism Regulated economy & generous benefitsRegulated economy & generous benefits Government owns key industriesGovernment owns key industries FascismFascism Strong, nationalistic state with few freedomsStrong, nationalistic state with few freedoms Religion/TheocracyReligion/Theocracy

Political Institutions Concentration of Power: Unitary governmentUnitary government centralized powercentralized power Federal systemFederal system stratified powerstratified power Confederal systemConfederal system diffused powerdiffused power

Political Institutions Executive(s): PresidentPrime Minister Head of State Symbol of the people Directly elected fixed term Leads cabinet Head of Gov’t Performs daily tasks From Legislature “no confidence” Collegial cabinet

Political Institutions Legislature: Unicameral vs. BicameralUnicameral vs. Bicameral Most assemblies are weakMost assemblies are weak RARE: power to initiate legislative program, gov’t spending, or impeachmentRARE: power to initiate legislative program, gov’t spending, or impeachment

Political Institutions Judiciary: Judicial review & activismJudicial review & activism Administrative review Administrative review  Power expanding recentlyPower expanding recently Ensure civil liberties/rights Ensure civil liberties/rights  Int’l agreements & treaties Int’l agreements & treaties 

Political Institutions Globalization or Fragmentation? Supranational Organizations NATO European UnionNATO European Union OPEC United NationsOPEC United Nations NAFTANAFTA

On Your Own Topic Three: Political & Economic Change Topic Four: Citizens, Society & the State Topic Six: Public Policy

For your review: Make a Venn Diagram with socialism, communism & fascism or presidential & parliamentary systems Use Comparative Method to describe the United States