PSC 1300 Quiz #1: Transition to Democratic Regimes

Comparative Politics

A field of political science that examines and compares political systems, ideologies, and policies across different countries and regions.

Purpose of Comparative Politics

Analyzing similarities and differences, measuring successes and shortcomings, and informing policy-making

Examples of Comparative Politics

Healthcare Policies: why do some countries have universal healthcare?

Government Systems: what are the pros or cons of a presidential system vs a parliamentary system?

Electoral Systems: why do some countries use proportional representation while others use winner-take-all elections?

International Relations

Cross-functional study of interactions, relationships, and politics between countries, international organizations, and other global actors.

Purpose of International Relations

To ensure countries are staying up to date on human rights, and social/sustainability standards and to foster understanding through cultural exchange,

Examples of International Relations

Human rights advocacy (UN): how effective is the UN in actually enforcing human rights standards when member states violate them?

International cooperation on issues like climate change/pandemics: should there be stronger global enforcement for countries failing to meet climate/public health commitments?

Economic sanctions: how effective are economic sanctions in changing a country's behavior without harming civilians?

Similarities Between CP and IR

Both are subfields in political science that study power, institutions, and political behavior and use similar research methods such case studies and data analysis.

Differences Between CP and IR

CP studies politics inside countries and focuses on domestic actors whereas IR studies politics between countries and focuses on states and international actors.

Politics

The struggle within a group for power to make decisions for the larger group.

Power

The ability to influence others' behavior, decisions, or outcomes.

Legitimate Power

Power that comes from a formal position or title within an organization or government.

Reward Power

Power based on the ability to give benefits or rewards.

Coercive Power

Power based on threats, punishment, or negative consequences.

Informational Power

Power that comes from controlling valuable information and deciding what is shared.

Referential (Social) Power

Power gained from admiration, respect, or personal relationships.

Autonomy

The ability/the extent to which (of the state) to wield its power independently of the public or international actors.

Capacity

The ability of the state to wield power to carry out the basic tasks of providing security.

Aristotle's View of Politics

Humans seek community, and politics helps people achieve human flourishing.

Locke's View of Politics

Government exists to protect natural rights (life, liberty, property), must have consent of the governed, and can be overthrown if it abuses power.

Democratic System

Power comes from the people and is limited by laws and checks and balances.

Authoritarian/Totalitarian System

Power is concentrated in one leader or small group, and politics mainly serves to maintain control.

Causal Relationship

A cause-and-effect relationship where one variable directly influences another; involves an independent and a dependent variable.

Correlation

A relationship where two variables move together or are related, but one does not necessarily cause the other.

Independent Variable

The factor that causes change or influences another variable.

Dependent Variable

The factor that is affected or influenced by the independent variable.

Correlation vs. Causation

Correlation is an association between variables, while causation means one variable directly produces a change in another.

Similarities Between Correlation and Causation

Both describe relationships between variables and show how factors are connected or move together.

Qualitative Research Method

Detailed study of a small number of cases focusing on history, language, and culture; emphasizes depth over breadth and uses interviews, observations, and documents

Quantitative Research Method

Collection of statistical data across many cases to find patterns, correlations, and test cause-and-effect hypotheses; emphasizes breadth over depth

Qualitative Research Strength

Provides deep, detailed, and context-rich understanding

Qualitative Research Weakness

Limited number of cases makes findings less generalizable and slows accumulation of universal knowledge

Quantitative Research Strength

Produces more objective, measurable, and broadly generalizable findings

Quantitative Research Weakness

Limited to numerical data, which can overlook deeper context and meaning

Depth vs. Breadth in Research

Qualitative focuses on depth of understanding; quantitative focuses on breadth across many cases

Common Qualitative Methods

Interviews, observations, archival research, and document analysis

Common Quantitative Data Examples

Voter counts, GDP changes, birth rates, and other numerical indicators

Variable

Any characteristic, number, or quantity that can be measured or counted and can take different values

Intermediate Variable

A variable that explains the mechanism of how or why an independent variable affects a dependent variable

Role of Variables in Research

Variables are used to analyze situations; the independent variable is changed and the dependent variable is measured

Example of Independent Variable

The amount of water given to plants in an experiment

Example of Dependent Variable

The plant growth measured in centimeters in response to water amount

Endogeneity

The problem of distinguishing cause and effect: "motor of history," causes and effects tend to evolve together

Multi-causality

The idea that many variables interact to produce particular outcomes. Proves that there are no "single, easy answers to political problems" and shows us that most political events occur due to not one, but a multitude of reasons.

Differences Between Endogeneity and Multi-causality

Endogeneity distinguishes cause vs effect, whereas multi-causality shows the many causes that may have led to a singular outcome (effect).

Similarities Between Endogeneity and Multi-causality

Both involve variables with unclear relationships. Variables are not isolated, making it harder to understand the independent impact of the dependent variable and creates confusion about the true outcome.

Examples of Multi-causality

Economic hardship, nationalism, and unclear borders all can lead to war.

Examples of Endogeneity

Does war lead to political turmoil, or does political turmoil lead to war?

Institution

An organization or activity that is self-perpetuating and valued for its own sake, embodying norms and values central to people's lives

Role of Institutions in Politics

Institutions shape political behavior by influencing how politics are conducted and setting rules and expectations

Key Feature of Institutions

They are deeply rooted in society and are not easily changed or removed

Institutions Vary by Country

Institutions differ across countries depending on history, culture, and political systems

Examples of Institutions

The military, taxation systems, elections, and the state

Organization

A deliberately created, structured group of people with a specific purpose, defined roles, and rules

Key Feature of Organizations

They are physical, concrete entities made up of specific members

Examples of Organizations

Corporations (Apple), charities (Red Cross), and schools (Villanova)

Institution vs. Organization

An institution is a broad system of norms and values, while an organization is a specific, structured group operating within those systems

Relationship Between Institutions and Organizations

Organizations function within institutions, such as banks operating within the economic system

Formal Institutions

Institutions with clear written rules or laws that are enforced by authorized bodies such as courts, police, and government agencies

Source of Formal Institutions

Often created through official political decisions, such as passing laws

Examples of Formal Institutions

The army, taxation systems, and democratic governments

Informal Institutions

Institutions based on unwritten or unofficial rules that guide behavior through social norms and shared expectations

How Informal Institutions Work

They rely on social pressure and tradition rather than legal enforcement

Examples of Informal Institutions

The U.S. two-party system, political bribery, and under-the-table agreements

Formal vs. Informal Institutions (Power)

Formal institutions tend to have more authority because they are legally enforced, while informal institutions are harder to enforce

Formal Institution Example (Taxation)

In countries where income tax is institutionalized, people pay taxes to fund public systems and projects

Lack of Institutionalized Taxation

When taxation is not formalized, tax evasion is common, trust in the system declines, and public projects struggle to be funded

Customs in Government

Many government practices around the world are based on traditions not explicitly written into laws or constitutions

Freedom

The ability to act, live, and make choices without undue restriction; often expressed as rights such as freedom of speech or movement

Freedom as Self-Rule

The idea of "giving oneself one's own laws," meaning individuals have control over their own actions

Importance of Freedom

Freedom is a basic human right and helps distinguish different types of governments based on how much liberty they allow

Equality

How rights, resources, power, and opportunities are distributed within a political system

Equality of Outcome

A form of equality focused on equal results such as income levels, representation, or living standards

Political Equality

The equal right of citizens to vote, run for office, and participate in politics; strongest in democracies

Social Equality

Equality in social treatment supported by anti-discrimination laws and policies related to race, gender, and other identities

Freedom and Government Legitimacy

Levels of freedom and equality affect how legitimate a government appears to its people

Freedom and Social Stability

Freedom and equality influence social trust and stability within a country

Freedom vs. Equality Debate

Some argue the two conflict and one reduces the other, while others believe they can reinforce each other

Freedom at the Expense of Equality

Greater individual freedom can reduce redistribution and social programs, increasing inequality

Equality at the Expense of Freedom

Greater equality efforts can involve government redistribution that limits individual choice and property rights

Balancing Freedom and Equality

Politics often involves finding a balance between the two, which varies by country, political system, and social conditions

State

The organization that maintains a "monopoly of violence over a territory" - Weber. Contains population, territory, central government, monopoly of violence, sovereignty (recognition).

Most-institutionalized: more staying power

Regime

The fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals regarding individual freedom and collective equality, where power should reside, and the use of that power (democratic regime, non-democratic regime, etc.)

Government

Leadership and governing system that runs and controls the state. Consists of elected officials such as presidents and Prime Ministers or unelected officials such as monarchs and those who gained power by non-democratic means.

Least-institutionalized: government may come and go

Legitimacy

A value whereby someone or something is recognized and accepted as right and proper.

Traditional Legitimacy

Legitimacy that traditionally/historically accepts aspects of politics because they have been institutionalized over a long period of time (myths, legends, monarchs)

Charismatic Legitimacy

Individuals who can persuade the public through ideas and manners, could be transformed into traditional legitimacy by the institutionalization of charisma (not institutionalized, Mao Zedong)

Rational Legitimacy

Legitimacy based on a system of laws and procedures that are highly institutionalized (US Constitution)

Nation

A group of people who share certain identity and culture, tend to desire self-government often through an independent state.

Nationalism

A pride in one's people and the belief that they have a unique, sovereign political destiny.

Nation-State

The state in which the cultural borders of a nation match the physical borders of the state.

The Birth of the Nation-State

- Emerged in Europe in mid-17th century due to the decline of the Roman Empire, ensuing anarchy, fragmentation, instability, violence, and geography.

- Thirty Years of War (1618-48)

- Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

Strengths of Nation-States

Establish order, provided the foundation for the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, protection and security from organized crimes, constant conflicts and warfare, deterred challenges from inside and out (autonomy), acted as primary authority over territory and people (authority)

Relationship Between Power and Politics

Politics is the struggle in any group for power to make decisions for the larger group... power shapes politics.