POLI 220 Key Terms

Comparative Politics

A study of political science that examines different domestic political systems and why they are organized the way they are.

The Scientific Method

An empirical method to acquire knowledge. It involves forming a question, applying a theory/model, hypothesizing, observations, and evaluation.

Theory

A causal explanation for a particular set of political phenomena.

Concept

An abstract notion or idea, often generalized from particular observations or phenomena

Hypothesis

Statements about the relationships that we expect to find among variables. Often framed as “If... then...” statements.

Case

One of a set of phenomena (a ‘universe of cases’) that can be compared in a logical and meaningful way.

Variable

Empirical indicators that ‘vary’ (differ) in ways that are helpful for understanding our research question.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that needs explaining.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that does the explaining.

Necessary Conditions

Condition(s) that must be present for an effect to occur. (B cannot happen without A)

Sufficient Conditions

Condition(s) that satisfy the occurrence of an effect (A is sufficient enough for B to happen)

State

An independent, self-governing, political community.

Nation

A group of people with a sense of common identity.

Nation-state

A self-governing political community with a shared national identity.

Regime

A form of political system that chooses who is in government.

Civil Society

Social institutions and organizations that are

independent of the state and in which citizens can pursue their

interests, express their beliefs, and live in communities.

State Capacity

The capacity of the state to deliver services, make decisions, and implement them.

Weber’s 3 Types of Domination

Tradition, charisma, legal

Minimalist Conception of Democracy

Prezeworski. A definition of democracy that solely focuses on the system of elections rather than joining it with normative values.

Authoritarian Regime

A regime in which leader(s) rule with few checks on power.

Democratic Regime

A regime that is rule for the people, by the people

Hybrid Regimes

A mix of both democratic and authoritarian regimes.

Direct Democracy

Citizens hold power directly.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Defense of Minimalist Conception of Democracy

Prevents violence, authorizes coercion, proxy for physical force. If all political and cultural conditions work.

Mill’s Method of Agreement

A method that aims to find factors that are present when a case occurs,

Mill’s Method of Disagreement

A method that aims to factors that are present when a case occurs, and what factors are absent when the same case does not occur,

Dahl’s View of Democracy

Two simple measures: contestation and inclusion (narrow)

Democracy-Dictatorship Index

Four rules: elected executive, elected legislature, multiple parties, and power alternating (narrow)

Freedom House Index

2 measures of democracy: political rights and civil liberties. Sees democracy with institutionalized values. (broad)

Varieties of Democracy Index

Operationalizes electoral democracy into five dimensions based on process of democracy. (narrow)

Economist Intelligence Unit Index

Operationalizes democracy to five dimensions: free elections, civil liberties, democratic culture, political participation, functioning government (broad)

Modernization Theory

A theory that suggests that a modern economy causes the consolidation of democracy.

Political Culture

Patterns of life/beliefs amongst a group of people, specifically focusing on political attitudes, beliefs, orientation to politics, and institutional arrangements.

Transmission of Culture

The process in which attitudes in society are passed on, through socialization

Narrow vs. Broad Democracy

A Narrow (procedural) conception focuses only on institutions like elections, while a Broad (substantive) one includes values and principles.

Binary vs. Continuum

Whether a regime is classified simply as in/out of a category (binary) or placed on a scale with a range of values (continuum).

Causal Logic of Modernization Theory

Economic development leads to the creation of a large middle class, which in turn demands democratic institutions.

Modernization Theory Variables

Shift in economic sectors, less income inequality, greater human capital.

Conditions of Modernization Theory

Economic dependence on the people, no state domination in the economy.

Cultural Theory of Democratization

Regime-type is determined by political culture.

Power-Culture Theory equilibria

Shackled Leviathan, Despotic Leviathan, Absent Leviathan