Comparative Politics Exam 2

Democracy

Representative system: participation, competition, rule of law

(Differences)Liberal Vs. Social Democracy

Welfare State (SD)

No Market intervention (Liberal)

(Similarities)-Liberal vs Social Democracy

Both support democratic system + individual freedom; competitive economy; competition/participation in political system; Regime type.

Libertarian

In between anarchism & liberalism

Social Democracy

Balance of freedom and equality. Need government intervention

Liberalism

Accomplish as much as liberty equality over anything else

Political Ideology of Democracy

Freedom and equality as core values

Head of State vs. Head of Government

State=symbol; Gov=policymaker

Parliamentary System

Executive + Legislative together. No separation of powers. One Head of State and One Head of Government. Vote of No confidence.

Presidential System

Two separate elections for president and executive branch. Separation of powers. Head of State and Head of Gov are one person.

Vote of No Confidence

Forces Head of Government out.

Semi-Presidential System

Voters elect President and Executive Branch. Head of Government (PM) in charge of domestic (state) policies; Head of State (Pres) in charge of international policies (Foreign).

Executive Power (Semi-Presidential)

PM: has power to create and enforce legislation within the State
President: Head of State. Deals with International policy

Proportional Representation

an election system that uses multimember districts where the percentage of votes a party gets equals the percentage of seats they receive, and it ensures more voter turnout.

Multiple Member Districts

Used in PR; multiple members selected.

Seats in PR

Seats proportional to votes.

Closed Party List

Voters vote for party → They choose order.

Open Party List

Voters choose their favorite candidate.

Electoral Threshold

Countries set minimum % a party must get.

Downside to PR

Gerrymandering is a downside to block system.

SMDP (Single Member District Plurality)

Winner takes all; leads to two-party system.

Mixed Electoral System

Combination SMDP + PR (Germany).

Transition to Democracy

Negotiated pact by elites/citizens.

Why democracy helps economic development

Leads to more overall stability & industrialization.

Obstacles to Democracy

Urbanization, Education, Reconstruction, Strong States.

Why European Influence?

Must be democratic to join.

Democratic Consolidation

Takes a long time for a country to become democratic.

Transition to Authoritarianism

Usually because of military coups.

Military Coup factors

Military in power, Bureaucratic Authoritarianism, Illness, Public Support.

Revolution tends to lead to

Authoritarian Systems

Democratic Backsliding 

Slowly change democratic institutions to concentrate/exercise power. Long-term overpower the system.

Signs of Democratic Backsliding

Manipulation of trust, Repression.

Political Economy

The relationship between states and markets; How decisions affect how they interact

Essential Roles of the Government (Has to be involved in)

Security, Contracts, Currency

Monetary Policy

How much money allowed in the economy

What is Monetary Policy in charge of

Central Bank (Federal Reserve) & Interests Rates

Interest Rates

Cost of Borrowing money

Protectionism

Actions government take to prevent citizens from something

Gross Domestic Product 

Total value of goods/services of a country in a year

Per Capita

Goods/Services per person

Human Development Index

Looks at levels of inequality, health and education, and how the money is divided

3 ways countries try to promote economic growth 

Import-Substitution Industrialization, Export-Oriented Growth, Economic Liberalization

Import-Substitution Industrialization Method

Reduce dependence on international trade and investment, and increase demand for local alternatives. Promotes industrialization domestically. 

Export-Oriented Growth

Work to attract foreign investors to build up economic sectors that compete internationally. Focused on exporting highly profitable goods to foreign countries. (EX: Japan, South Korea, Thailand)

Economic Liberalization

Decrease business barriers and reduce the role of government in the economy to create a more competitive business environment. Let the markets figure it out.

3 Branches of Government 

Executive, Legislative, Judicial.

Executive Branch

Enforce laws and legislation. Put work into practice.

Legislative Branch

Law makers. Make/Pass legislation throughout State.

Judicial Branch

Checks legislation so that it’s in line with constitution. And checks disputes that go on in country.