Comparative Politics

Politics

the subset of human behavior that involves the use of power or influence

Comparative Politics

Three definitions 1. The study of political phenomena in every country except the one in which the student resides, 2. The study of political phenomena through the comparative method, 3. The study of political phenomena that are predominantly within country relationships

International politics include

Conflict, foreign policy, international organizations

Comparative Politics include

Elections, party systems, executive-legislative relations, interest groups, legislatures

International and comparative politics both include

Revolution, Political economy, environmental politics

Why study comparative politics

Comparison is the basis for all (scientific knowledge), evaluate theoretical claims, identify causes and effects, not always possible when looking at one country, also a great way to learn about your own country

What is science

A method of gathering information about the world, a process of obtaining knowledge, gathering empirical evidence and making inferences about the world

Empirical

Based on observation or experience

Science is

Objective, self-critical, humble, never-ending

Problem oriented

Causes and consequences of democracy and dictatorship, causes and consequences of democratic and dictatorial institutions, Why does the state exist and where does it come from? Why are some countries democracies and others dictatorships? Why do some regimes treat their citizens better than others? Why do some countries have many parties but others have few? Explanation rather than description, Focus on how to think rather than what to think

Strategic

Strategic approach to studying political phenomena. Political outcomes result from the interaction of individuals seeking goals in an environment in which goal attainment is constrained by their resources and complicated by the choices of other actors. Strategic behavior is central to politics

Ideology

A set or collection of ideas, beliefs, values, and attitudes such that the elements of the set form a pattern in the sense that particular ideas tend to occur alongside certain beliefs, the ideas and beliefs are associated with some attitudes and values and not others, ideologies imply that the values and attitudes we hold constrain, in some sense, the ideas we use and the beliefs we hold and vice versa

Political Ideologies

Not all collections of ideas, beliefs, values, and attitudes are political ideologies. A political ideology is used to influence the distribution of power in society

Conservatism

Found in traditional societies such as medieval England, hierarchy arranged by God. Purpose of life is found in fulfilling one’s position within the hierarchy, individual happiness is not the goal, glorifying God, meeting assigned responsibilities, conditioned on accepting one’s station. Ideology that has changed the most over time, defense of status quo or ideas of traditional institutions

Liberalism

Associated with modernity, reformation, scientific revolution, Enlightenment Age. Propensity to question traditional ideas, Argued for freedom, “negative” freedom- ie freedom from interference by others. Emphasis on individualism, rationalism, freedom, individuals are prioritized over nations, races, classes, capacity for reason, deciding interests, right to own property

Socialism

Spurred by the Industrial Revolution and the creation of an industrial working class, wage labor stratifies property rights and privileges owners, socialist say fundamentally unjust. Capital should be controlled by workers, state ownership of industry, “positive” freedom, resources, pursuing goals, pursuit of (economic) equality

Ideologies vs science

Political ideologies don’t fit with our emphasis on scientific theories and empirical evidence, political ideologies typically involve contradictory statements , this interferes with our ability to use observation to evaluate the truthfulness of the assertion so that a political ideology makes about the world. The purpose of a political ideology isn’t to understand the world, it is to motivate political action, give meaning to the world, and justify a particular system of power