1. Approaches to the Study of Comparative Politics September 29

2. Lecture Overview Current Political Issues Approaches to comparative politics  The 5 ‘I’s  Marx and Weber Documentary: Economic Development: A Global Challenge (36 min)

3. The 5 ‘I’s: Institutions, Interests, Ideas, Individuals, International environment a bonus, sixth “I” - interactions

4. Two Major Theoretical Traditions Karl Marx Max Weber

5. Marx Grand theory and politically engaged analysis historical materialism mode of production class struggle “Philosophers have sought to understand the world. The point, however, is to change it.”

6. Weber Middle-range (grounded) theory and striving toward objective social scientific research. Use of models and ideal types Study of culture and religion Study of institutional variables Weber defined the state a “a human community that (successfully) claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.”

7. Economic Development: A Global Challenge An introductory documentary on issues of economic development. Available online via the York library catalogue.