POLS 280: Why Study Comparative Politics?

What is Regime Stability?

The durability of a country’s fundamental system of government, it’s ability to survive internal challenges.

What is Comparative Politics

The comparative study of other countries, citizens, different political units either in whole or in part, and analyzes the similarities and difference between those political units.

What are the differences between comparative politics vs. international politics?

Comparative politics focuses on the domestic political systems and institutions inside individual countries, while international relations studies the interactions, diplomacy, and conflicts between different countries and global actors.

What is Monarchy?

undivided rule or absolute sovereignty by a single person

What is Tyranny?

government that exerts oppressive power over its populace

What is Aristocracy?

government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class

What is oligarchy?

a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes

What is Polity?

a politically organized unit

What is Democracy?

a form of government in which the people elect representatives to make decisions, policies, laws, etc. according to law

What is the Comparative Method?

a method of investigation (as of ethnologic phenomena and relations) based on comparison. Includes; Research Questions, Theory and Hypothesis, Test with eases and observations(numbers).

What are the Challenges of Comparative Research?

Separating correlation from causation, the approaches have to be both quantitative and qualitative.