The Comparative Method

What is the comparative method?

A structural-functional approach to studying political systems (countries / states)

What are the 3 types of System Functions?

Political Socialization, recruitment, and communication

What is political socialization?

How citizens adopt political culture

Define political culture

V- values

A- attitudes

B- beliefs

E- expectations

About government and political institutions (VABE)

Example of political socilaization

A child going to vote with their parent.

What is political recruitment?

How people get involved in politics and gain positions of power.

Example of political recruitment

People can be elected and can get power through connections, education, money, and experience

What is political communication

How and to what extent the government provides info to citizens

Example of political communication

Covid 19 messaging from the government

What are process functions?

How policies are made and carried out

What are the process functions

Interest articulation, interest aggregation, policy making, and policy implementation and adjudication

What is interest articulation?

How citizens express needs and expectations to the government and influence its actions.

Example of interest articulation

Voting, protests, lobbying, media, awareness

What is interest aggregation?

Gathering interests and turning them into specific policy positions or proposals, usually though political parties.

Example of interest aggregation

Labor Unions bring together demands of workers like better wages, benefits, and working conditions

What is policy making?

The process of making official decisions

Example of policy making

Laws and executive orders

What’s is policy implementation and adjudication?

Carrying out and enforcing policies, and courts resolving disputes and interpreting laws

Example of policy implementation and adjudication

Bureaucracy and police