POLI 220 midterm #1

Comparative Politics

The study of domestic political systems using systematic, evidence-based comparison to explain political variation.

Scientific Method

Systematic way of acquiring knowledge through observation, evidence, and testing rather than ideology or values.

Ontology

Study of the nature and structure of political entities and systems.

Epistemology

Study of how we know what we know — the methods of knowledge generation.

Hypothesis

A statement that can be tested through observation; specifies expected relationship (“If X, then Y”).

Concept

Abstract idea or general category used to explain political phenomena (e.g., democracy).

Case

Empirical example used to test or compare theories (e.g., Canada, USA).

Independent Variable (IV)

A variable that causes change or explains variation in the outcome.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The outcome or effect we seek to explain.

Necessary Condition

Factor that must be present for an outcome to occur but may not be enough by itself.

Sufficient Condition

Factor that alone can bring about an outcome but is not required in all cases.

Method of Agreement

Method comparing similar cases with same outcome to identify shared causes.

Method of Difference

Method comparing very different cases with different outcomes to identify differing causes.

Operationalization

Explicitly defining abstract terms in measurable, observable ways.

Ideology

Personal or ideological biases that influence interpretation and hinder objectivity.

State

A sovereign, self-governing political community with defined territory, population, and authority.

Nation

A group of people sharing identity, history, or culture seeking self-rule.

Nation-State

A state predominantly inhabited by one nation.

Government

Institutions and officials responsible for making and enforcing collective decisions.

Regime

Set of formal and informal rules determining how governments are chosen and how they operate.

Weberian State

Weber’s definition: the entity that holds a monopoly on the legitimate use of force within a territory.

Traditional Legitimacy

Legitimacy based on long-standing customs and inherited authority (e.g., monarchy).

Charismatic Legitimacy

Legitimacy derived from a leader’s exceptional personal qualities or charisma.

Legal-Rational Legitimacy

Legitimacy grounded in law, procedures, and rational governance (e.g., elections, constitutions).

Civil Society

Organizations independent from the state that express citizens’ interests and foster civic participation.

State Capacity

The state’s ability to design and implement policies and deliver public goods.

Social Contract Theory

Theory that states emerge from citizens’ voluntary cooperation for security and order.

Predatory Theory

Theory that states form when elites use coercion to dominate and extract from populations.

Narrow Corridor

Balance between a strong state and strong society necessary for freedom.

Authoritarian Regime

Regime type with limited citizen participation and few checks on power.

Hybrid Regime

Regime combining both democratic and autocratic elements.

Democracy

Regime where rulers govern with the consent of the governed and regular elections occur.

Direct Democracy

Democracy where citizens directly vote on laws and policies.

Representative Democracy

Democracy where citizens elect representatives to make decisions.

Plebiscitary Democracy

Democracy featuring occasional direct votes on key issues by citizens.

Deliberative Democracy

Model where public reasoning and deliberation influence political decision-making.

Electoral Democracy

Minimalist view of democracy: regular elections prevent political violence (Przeworski).

Liberty and Equality

Core democratic values emphasizing freedom and political equality.

Reliability

Measurement concern: how consistently an index produces the same results.

Validity

Measurement concern: how accurately an index reflects the concept being measured.

Dahl’s Polyarchy Index

Dahl’s index measuring democracy as a continuum based on contestation and inclusion.

DD Index (Democracy–Dictatorship)

Binary measure of democracy focusing on whether elections are competitive.

Freedom House Index

Substantive index scoring political rights and civil liberties from 0–100.

V-Dem Index

Comprehensive procedural index scaling 0–1, with high validity and confidence intervals.

EIU Democracy Index

Substantive index (0–10) categorizing regimes from Authoritarian to Full Democracy.

Lexical Index

Procedural index measuring the age and continuity of democracy.

Modernization Theory

Theory that economic development leads to democracy through social and structural transformation.

Human Development

Development concept emphasizing expansion of people’s capabilities and choices.

Economic Restructuring

Sectoral shift from agriculture to industry and services as economies modernize.

Gini Coefficient

Metric of income inequality within a society.

Human Development Index (HDI)

Measure of combined education, health, and income levels.

Rostow’s Stages of Growth

Economic stage model progressing from traditional to high mass consumption societies.

Political Resource Curse

Condition where rulers rely on resource rents instead of citizens’ taxes, hindering democracy.

Demand-Side Mechanism

Mechanism in modernization theory where economic development increases citizens’ political demands.

Supply-Side Mechanism

Mechanism where wealthy elites’ reduced fear of expropriation makes democratization more acceptable.

Political Culture

Shared political values, beliefs, and orientations that shape how people view authority and participation.

Primordial View

Classical perspective that cultural traits are inherited and determine political outcomes.

Constructed View

Modern view that cultures are socially constructed, dynamic, and can support democratic consolidation.

Civic Culture Theory (Almond & Verba)

Theory linking psychological orientations like trust and efficacy to democratic stability.

Cultural Modernization Theory (Inglehart & Welzel)

Theory positing shift from materialist to post-materialist values with economic modernization.

Power-Culture Theory (Acemoglu & Robinson)

Theory explaining political outcomes through balance between state strength and civic culture.

Shackled Leviathan

Stable democracy emerging from balance between state authority and civic participation.

Interpersonal Trust

High social trust and low polarization that promote democratic cohesion.

Civic Participation

Active participation in associations and elections reflecting a strong civil society.

Democratic Values

Public endorsement of democratic norms and institutions.