PS 210 - Midterm

Why is AI bad to use for class?

It will sometimes cite sources that don’t exist.

Comparative Politics

The study of specific aspects of a country (state) and how it affects that country.

Scientific Method Steps

Question, Theory/Model, Hypotheses, Observe/Test, and Evaluation/Results

Purpose of Stokes Paper

Individuals will retaliate against the government when they implement something they don’t like or approve of. Wind turbines were overall popular, but not when they were in peoples’ backyards. The retaliation was not enough for the liberals to lose the next election but there was a loss.

Rational Choice Theory

Theory that people make rational choices with the options presented to them.

Limitations of Rational Choice Theory

1. Rationality is subjective.

2. Perceived benefit for one person of a course of action is less that it would be for someone else.

3. Individuals being rational doesn’t always equate to groups being rational.

4. Imperfect information can sway rationality.

Responses to Political Change

1. Exit - accept the change and alter behavior to fit a new environment.

2. Voice - take action to change the environment back.

3. Loyalty - accept the new environment and make no changes.

A State

An entity that uses coercion and the threat of force to rule within a given territory; has a monopoly on the use of legitimate force (what we think of as countries)

A Nation

a group of people that share a common identity. (Ex in the US: Native American nations - Cherokee, Lumbee, Navajo, etc.)

Syria Events

• Notable failed state until recent events.

• Bashar al-Assad was the dictator for over 20 years, but there was strong evidence he used chemical weapons against his own people.

• A civil war broke out, and the central government lost most control of the country to rebel groups.

• At the civil war’s worst point in late 2024, Assad fled to Russia.

• This allowed for rebels to control almost all the country, and a rebel leader has gained power and has pledged to fairness and is focused on building a democracy.

State of Nature

Situations where there is no state or government authority.

Hobbes View of State of Nature

Life as “nasty, brutish, and short.”

No rights, no property, no laws.

Rosseau View of State of Nature

Relatively chill - people don’t want to fight innately.

Marx View of State of Nature

Primitive communism view

Locke View of State of Nature

Nature teaches to not harm another, their liberty, or their property.

Types of Democracy

Representative and Direct

How Democracy WAS Perceived

• relatively unstable

• could allow for the uneducated to take over and call all the shots

• most risky

• could lead to eventual class war

Arguments for Democracy

• People don’t want to be told what to do all the time.

• Universal suffrage

• Allows for more education at times

• Economic benefits

Arguments Against Democracy

• Average people don’t know how the government works

• Hyperpluralism - so many interests present in government that it’s hard to accomplish anything

• Moves too slow

Validity and Reliability

• Measures what it’s supposed to measure

• Same values reproduced for the same situation repeatedly

Big Three Measures of Democracy

1. Freedom House

2. DD (Democracy Dictatorship)

3. Polity IV ***

Economic Factors in Democracy

Manufacturing and services (secondary and tertiary sectors)

Allow for more money to be made = better economy overall

Economic Factors in Dictatorship

Main focus on the traditional sector - agriculture.

This causes less money to be made, leading to a weaker economy.

Problems Dictators Face

• Deciding how to arm the military and how much strength it has

• Can’t truly know how people within the country feel

• Imperfect information issues

Percentage US Spends on Foreign Aid

1%

Sociocultural Factors

• Religious traditional - society revolves around old norms and religion

• Modern secular - traditional values are not as heavily in place; people are more open minded; religion plays less of a role.

Two Types of Democratic Transitions

1. Bottom Up

   1. People overthrow a regime in a revolution.

   2. Revolutionary cascade: participation in an event/protest encourages more people to participate.

   3. See: US, East Germany, Syria

2. Top Down

   1. The ruling elite introduces democratic reforms that lead to a transition.

   2. See: Poland, UK

Collective Action

when everyone works together to get a common good (Ex: air, ocean, etc.). Can sometimes be hindered by the Free Rider Problem.

Free Rider Problem

People have little incentive to contribute to the provision/longevity of a public good that will benefit the whole group. If others are doing it, they are less inclined because someone else is handling it.

Waves of Democratic Transitions

1. 1st Wave: more industrialized nations (1888 - 1926)

2. 2nd Wave: Post-WWII liberalization (1943 - 1962)

3. 3rd Wave: era of transition we currently reside in.

East Germany Transition

• Mass protests results in the eventual fall of the communist East German gov.

• Berlin Wall was opened

• Free elections allowed

• Eventual re-unificationn with West Germany

Poland Transition

• Ruling Communist Party eventually agreed to rigged elections, which didn’t go their way.

• Soon after, democracy was implemented.

Cotton Eyed Joe Dilemma

Where did these protests come from, and where did they go? (East Germany)

Who Controlled Germany After WWII?

US, France, UK, USSR

Sinatra Doctrine

Gorbachev took a more hands-off approach to Warsaw Pact nations’ domestic affairs

What Do Dictators need to do?

Keep multiple grounds happy so they don’t rebel: elites, citizens, and army

Monarchic Dictatorship

• power kept within a family

• long term & most stable form of dictatorship

• Ex) Swaziland and Saudi Arabia

Military Dictatorship

• often ruled by juntas (committees)

• Often don’t last long, and end with negotiations

• Current Ex) Myanmar

Two Types of Civilian Dictatorships

Dominant Party and Personalist

Dominant Party Dictatorship

• one party controls access to office and policy

• arising as longest-lived dictatorships

• ruling class and party members get benefits, while all others are oppressed

• Current Ex) China and Russia

Personalist Dictatorship

• one leader retains personal control over policy and personnel decisions

• often have to prove loyalty to dictator through some actions

• Current Ex) North Korea

Major Current Dicta

Past Dictators

Hitler, Stalin

Polyarchy

• What modern democracy has become

• Rule by the many

• Joining groups increased your odds of being heard

Dahl’s Core Requiremens for Democracy

1. Fair, Free, and Frequent Elections

2. Elected Officials

3. Freedom of Expression

4. Alternative Sources of Info

5. Associational Autonomy

6. Inclusive Citizenship

Dahl’s Underlying Needs for Democracy

• Effective participation

• Control of the agenda

• Voting equality

• Enlightened understanding

• Full inclusion