Politics CH. 2 2.3

Still hate this class

What are theories based on?

Theories are based on assumptions, they serve as a starting point.

What do political scientists seek?

Parsimonious theories which explain a phenomena in an easier and less complex manner over difficult theories that demonstrate the same predictions.

Assumptions

Some need further explanation and some can be inaccurate because they are unrealistic.

Milton Friedman

Theories should be evaluated based on prediction rather than realism.

Modernization Theory

Relationship between economic development and emergence of stable democracies.

Key factors of Modern. Theory

Higher per capita income, industrialization and urbanization.

What does the Modern. Theory represent and demonstrate?

Demonstrates that people prefer to have control over political power rather than being dominated, such as an educated middle class who demand more political power which promotes democratic stability.

Why are controlled experiments limited in political science?

Due to ethical and practical constraints.

What’s used to approximate controlled experiments?

Quasi experimental designs and statistical techniques.

Purpose of theories is?

Aid in answering questions and predicting future events which enable political scientists to recommend policies or prevent negative outcomes.

What is the key hypothesis from the Modern. Theory?

There’s a positive correlation between per capita income and democracy likelihood.

What does research say about higher per capita income?

That higher per capita income correlates with increased democracy.