1. Introduction to Comparative Government
Key Terms & Methods

2. 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
Sovereignty: the exclusive right to exercise political authority over a territory

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

4. Unit 1: The Themes! Sovereignty, Authority, & Power
Political Institutions
Citizens, Society and the State
Political & Economic Change
Public Policy

5. Theme 1: Sovereignty, Authority, & Power
Nation State
A group of people claiming a A group of people org-
common identity + the right anized under a govern-
to be a state. May share ment. They must share
the following (to varying degrees):
Culture Government
Territory Budget
Language Borders
Ethnicity Currency
Religion Police Force/Military

6. Examples of each… Nation: The Kurds Palestine Chechnya Cherokee ?
Scotland ?
Islam ?
Uighurs
State:
United Kingdom
Russian Federation
PRC
Mexico
Nigeria
Islamic Rep. of Iran
Kosovo
South Sudan
East Timor

7. Regimes & Institutions
Regime: A country’s institutions, rules, and practices that carry over across time, even though leaders and issues change. (the form or system of government in a country)
Institutions: Stable, long-lasting organizations that help to turn political ideas into policy.
Examples: bureaucracies, legislatures, judicial systems, political parties, military

8. Types of Regimes

9. Democracy Authority is based on the will of the people
Direct
people have immediate say over governmental decisions
Representative
people choose representatives to make political decisions for them

10. Legitimacy (the right to rule, as determined by their own citizens)
Traditional: History, ritual, divine law determine who rules and how (Ex: monarchies, UK)
Charismatic: dynamic personality of an individual leader or small group. Often doesn’t go past its founder. (Ex: Revolutionaries)
Rational-legal: based on a system of well- established and institutionalized laws and procedures. Based on the acceptance of rule of law. (Ex: U.S.)

11. The Comparative Method
AristotelianTheory:
# of Rulers
Interest of Everyone
Self-Interest
By Social Group
One
Monarchy
Tyranny
King
Few
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
The Wealthy
Many
Polity or Democracy
Ochlocracy
The Poor

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

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

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

15. Ideologies Classical Liberalism Communism Socialism Fascism
Political & economic freedom
Communism
Values economic equality over freedom
No private property, little personal freedom
Socialism
Regulated economy & generous benefits
Government owns key industries (Classical)
Fascism
Strong, nationalistic state with few freedoms
Religion/Theocracy

16. Theme 2: Political Institutions!
Unitary/Federal/Confederate
Supranational Organizations (UN, EU, NAFTA)
Globalization/Fragmentation
Executives (Head of State/Head of Government)
Bureaucracies
Legislatures (unicameral vs. bicameral)
Judiciaries (judicial review)
Linkage Institutions (parties, interest groups, media)
Electoral Systems (proportional, first-past-the-post)
Political Elite & Recruitment (leader succession)

17. Political Institutions
Executive(s):
President
Prime 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

18. Theme 3: Citizens, Society and the State!
Societal cleavages: ethnic, religious, linguistic, regional, class, political, urban/rural, gender etc..
Civil Society: organizations outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests.

19. 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

20. Theme 4: Political & Economic Change!
Reform: does not advocate overthrow of basic institutions.
Revolution: major revision or overthrow of existing institutions.
Coup d’etat: “blows to the state”. Replacement of leaders by force.

21. 3 Trends in Change… Democratization Movement towards Market Economies
Revival of Ethnic or Cultural Politics

22. Democratization Liberal Democracies:
Civil liberties (such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly….)
Rule of Law (equal treatment of citizens)
Neutrality of the judiciary
Open Civil Society
Civilian control of the military

23. Theme 5: Public Policy! Social Welfare/Welfare State
Civil liberties, rights, & freedoms (Freedom House)
Human Development Index
Environment
Population Policy/Immigration
Corruption (Transparency Int’l)
Disease/HIV/AIDS
Domestic & Foreign Policy

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