Studied by 19 people
Into to comparative politics, midterm 1 academic articles
Article 1: Who?
Daron Acemoglu
Article 1: When?
2003
Article 1: Why
To assess the role of institutions in economic development
Article 1: Core Question
Do good institutions drive economic development or is it geography?
Article 1: Importance
Explains how institutions, not geography, are key to long term economic prosperity.
Article 1: Answer
Good insitutions, not geography lead to economic growth
Article 1:Methodology
Qualitative: Historical anaylysis of regions impacted by colonization
Article 1: Results
Extractive institutions harm long term growth, while inclusive institutions foster it.
Article 1: Key concepts
Institutions: enforce property rights, limit elite power, and provide opportunities for all.
Article 2: Who?
Adam Smith
Article 2: When?
1776
Article 2: Why
To explain how the division of labor increases productivity
Article 2: Core Question
How does labor division lead to economic growth?
Article 2: Importance
Laid the foundation for modern economic thought on labor specialization
Article 2: Answer
Division of labor leads to more efficient production and wealth.
Article 2: Methodology
Qualitative: Observational and theoretical analysis
Article 2: Results and Key concepts
Specialization increases productivity by improving skill, saving time, and innovation. Division of labor, productivity, and self interest.
Article 3: Who/When/Why
Fearon and Laitin/2003/Explains causes of civil wars globally
Article 3: Core Question and its Importance
What factors lead to civil war onset?
Challenges conventional wisdom; explains why insurgencies happen in weak states.
Article 3: Answer and Methodology
Civil wars result from weak states, not ethnic grievances.
Quantitative - Comparative data on 161 countries
Article 3: Results and Key Concepts
Insurgencies are easier in poor, weakly governed states.
Insurgency Feasibility: Weak governments and rough terrain favors guerilla warfare.
Grievances vs. Opportunity: Ethnic diversity doesn’t cause war; weak conditions do
Government Weakness: Low income and poor policing = higher insurgency risks.
Article 4: Who, When, and Why?
Alesina and la Ferrara/2005/Study effects of ethnic diversity on economic performance.
Article 4: Core Question and its importance
Is ethnic diversity good or bad for economic growth?
Shows diversity can hinder public goods but boost productivity in advanced economies.
Article 4: Answer and Methodology
Ethnic Diversity has mixed effects lowers public goods efficiency but boosts private productivity.
Quantitive- Cross sectional data on countries, focusing on growth and diversity.
Article 4: Results and Key Concepts
Diversity hampers growth in low income countries but helps in advanced ones.
Fractionalization: More ethnic groups, less consensus on public goods
Productivity: Diversity fosters innovation in rich economies
Economic Impact: Effects of diversity depend on income level
Article 5: Who/When/Why?
Max Weber/1918/Sought to explain the nature of political power and modern state emergence.
Article 5: Core Question and importance
What is the nature of political power and how did the modern state evolve?
Provides foundational concepts of the types of authorities and defines the modern state?
Article 5: Methodology and Results
Qualitative- Historical and theoretical comparison between Europe and Africa.
States gain authority through force, and shift to rational legal bureaucracy. Emphasis on state autonomy and capacity in understanding democracy and economics.
Article 6: Who/When/Why?
Jeffrey Herbst/1990/To explore why African states sturggle with consoloidation compared to Europe.
Article 6: Core Question and Importance
Cam African States consolidate power and build strong institutions without war like Europe?
Explains why African states remain weak and struggle with institutions and national identity.
Article 6: Answer/Method/Results
African States are weaker without war and struggle without taxation and nationalism
Qualitative - comparison between Europe and Africa, focusing on tax, nationalism, and war.
War Centralized Europe, increased tax efficiency, and fostered unity. African States are weaker due to the absence of war.
Article 7: Who/When/Why?
Robert Rotberg/2002/ To explain why nation-states fail and the impact on global security.
Article 7: Core Question and Importance
What are the dynamics of state failure, and how can it be identified and prevented?
Failed States are a threat to global security, harboring terrorism and violence.
Article 7: Method/Key Concepts/Results
Qualitative- Historical analysis with case studies.
Failed States: Cannot provide political goods
Political Goods: Security, Education, Infrastructure
State Control: loss of government control leads to violence
Corruption: Elites exploit resources for personal gain
Global security Risk: Failed states are breeding grounds for Terrorism
Failed states pose a global security threat and need to address corruption, poor governance, and lack of services.
Article 8: Who/When/Why?
Stephen Krasner/2001/Challenges the idea that sovereignty is dead; suggests it has evolved.
Article 8: Core Question and Importance
Is Sovereignty being eroded by globalization or is it adapting?
Helps understand how states interact with global forces like NGO’s, media, and trade.
Article 8: Method/Key Concepts/Results
Qualitative; Historical analysis with case studies (Eu, China)
Sovereignty isn’t dead: States still have power despite global forces.
Globalization: Limits control but doesn’t erase it.
Evolving sovereignty: States give up some control, but gain in others.
Sovereignty adapt, not collapses, states retain authority despite global movements.
