EXAM IN 2 DAYS LETS GO
methodology
the system by which we forumulate conclusions about relationshios between diffrent varibles
based on observaitions and experimentation
eg: why do countries develop and not others
independant varaible
variable that is manipulated to test its effects on another variable
eg: tine spent sleeping
mechanism
scientific explanation in poli sci for relationship between varaibles
eg: more time spent sleeping boosts immune system
dependant variable
varible that is affected by other factors
eg: time it takes to recover from illness
cases
used to establish relationships often are countries
more cases show robust information
sample size
quantatitive method
involve numbers, mathemathical/statistical methods
large N analysis using many cases
qualitative methods
do not involve manipulation of numbers
historical anlysis, intervies, archival research
correlation vs causation
correlation does NOT equal causation
eg: altough wealthier countries seem more democratic, wealth itself does not EQUAL democracy
Lipsid reading
problem of many variables, small #of cases
*add
experimental method
expose 1 group to stimulant
results are attributed to stimulant
eg: placebo or non- placebo
cons: ethical problems not practical in polisci
eg: natrual experiments north korea/south= prove communism leads to economic failure
natural expirment
eg: North Korea vs South Korea what makes these states different
hard to do due to ethical concerns
eg: can study various provinces evolution when isolated
statistical method
use many case studies and attempt to reach conclusions using stat analysis
pro: find a relationsip between a large variety of cases
cons: lack of depth, correlation not causation
comparative method -n
small/medium numbers of case studies (N)
evidence is not as conclusive
can understand mechanisms at play
most similar system design
method of comparing similar cases that may differ in one or more key areas to find the effects of political variables
eg: twins that had same genes, family, upbringing except public vs private school
picking countries from a study that are most similar to compare differing factors
South Korea VS North: Similarities ethnic, cultiural geographical, historicall union until 1945. Diffrences in political system totalitarian regime
most diffrent system design
comparing cases that are very diffrent but share same outcome
helps identify common factors equal same political outcomes despite carying context, strucutre or culture
used to strengthen a claim and test a theory
eg sweden (democratic welfare) and singpaore (semi-auth with limited politcal opposition). bouth countries vary culturally but have exbit high level of economic devlopment and quality of life
historical instituionalism
emphasizes the importance of historical context in political institutions and their development
evolution of institutions over time and their infleunce on political behavoir
path dependance
idea that once a country takes an institutionalism route it is very difficult to get off that path
becomes self-reinforcing and tends to persist
in countries like Sweden, comprehensive welfare systems developed early on due to labor movements and social democratic parties
deep historical analysis
nature of Spanish colonized vs British; trace institutional policies led to different paths led to present day
advantages: future improvement based on past, root causes of topic/issues
disadvantages: long process with alot of work, limited information from the past
critical juncture
moment in history when countries make a critical deacon, altering the trajectory of institutional developments
examples of critical junctures
Revolutions, regime changes, major economic crises, 911, Great Leap Forward, CCP abandoning communism, Abolishment of Slavery
Controlling for variable
can split into subgroups to ensure there are no other variables that could cause outcomes
Deviant case
outliers, something as far away from the mean as possible.
value of study = can refine your hypothesis ( debunk it so you can come to a better reason)
more insight into other facots than eg economic devlopment
more insight to hyptohesis
eg: very wealthy auth states
State
community that successfully claims the monopoly of the use of force within a given territory
How do states monopolize power/force
military
police
justice sytem
services of states
tax agencies
education
health care
ministries (labor, etc0
failed state
the state has no control over its territory
Ex. Somalia is a failed state as the government only controls some parts of its territory
weak governments results in crisis (AIDS in Africa)
Implementation of pre-exisiting resouces is proven by nation
leads to humanitarian disasters domestiaclly and internationally
Francis Fukuyama “The Imperatives of State-Building.”
building up the state
west proposes economic+ liberal freedom sought out worldwide
fall of communism, Berlin Wall, Soviet Union: counter trend- Thatcherism + Reaganism
reducing the size of state dominant in 80s, 90s
State strength
ability to plan and execute policies and enforce such laws
can the state stop terrorists from buying illegal weapons and deal with crimes
washington consenus
reducing state intervention in economic activities after “Washington Consensus”
anti- globalization protestors
liberizaing economic reform to aid devloping nations
nation state must have proper institojalized framework to implement liberal economic reform
failed to consider lacking institutions in developing countries
state size (scope)
different roles and functions taken on by government
distribution of resources, range of functions, domestic and foreign security, safety nets
eg USA scope is weak: seperation of powers, fragmented health care, weak welfare, educational inequality
Scandinavian country strong:
Institutions
a set of rules and procedures that constrain and enable human behaviour. Both informal and formal
Formal institutions
legal documents say they exist, (the law says they exist)
Ex. justice system is formal, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, religious institutions
Informal institutions:
nothing written down legally, but people still have behaviour controlled by it
Ex. Family has expectations and roles but not written down, gangs, tipping in restaurants
Anarchy state:
no state at all, they do not exist as anything but a failed state
Neoliberalism state
minimal state intervention in economic matters, no tariffs and free market.
Only police and basic infastructre
Milton Freedman is the father of this.
Markets are better at allocating resource more efficiently
People have individual responsibility
Chigaco Boys
were a group of economists that helped South American leaders become neoliberal
Chile Augusto Pinochet:
Came to power in coup
Help from Chigaco Boys who let him study under Milton Friedman
Removed protects it tariffs, subsidies, deindustrialised economy
No price controls or welfare cut
Fastest growing economy in South America
Lots of factories failed
Developmental state
uses tariffs and subsides to support industryes (South Korea Park Chung Hee)
There are scenarios where the market does not actually efficiently allocate resources
Market will not create long term prosperity
Can be helpful for countries trying to build a industry from scratch by making subsidies and tariffs (Protectionism)
Park Chung-Hee:
Nationalism used to promote growth
Managed to create export economy
State and private businesses were close, threw CEOS into jails and then released them when they said they would obey him
Inefficient companies not subsidised
Wages low and hours long and nationalised banks (so he could take money)
Tariffs
tax on imports
Subsidies
money given to business to help grow
Democracy
system of government where the government represents will of the citizens
Free and fair elections
Reasonable playing field between incumbents and opposition
Leaders have actual power
Tyranny of the majority
the majority takes away a minority group's rights and oppresses them
Republican democracy
elected officials, competing branches of government, and protection for minority rights due to the constitution
Direct democracy:
uses initiatives where people sign up saying they favour a bill or law to be passed, does not always protect minority rights
pros:
Effective if there is a corrupt legislature
Can circumvent political polarisation
Cons
Initiatives often were incomprehensible
Oppression of minority (tyranny of majority)
Can cause budget issues (no one wants to be taxed)
Easier to get signatures if you have money but not without money
Lobbyist can still pass laws
Example:
Ex. California gave more rights to fowl and how their coops should be kept but took away the right to gay marriage
Ex. California had incentives due to corruption in the old election system