pols midterm

how did the age of enlightenment in the 1700s influence the study of politics?

by instilling an empirical and logical approach to studying politics

Sampling a large amount of quantitative data helps to

decrease bias in quantitative
research

correlation and causation

Correlation, by itself, does not imply the existence of a causal relationship

the empirical argument is about

"what is," based on observable evidence

normative argument

address "what should be."

Comparative politics was originally a branch of what academic discipline?

history

Comparative politics is different from international relations in that

comparative politics studies how different people around the world make different decisions under similar rules

method of agreement

causalities through the common attribute across all cases

method of difference

causalities through the absent attribute across all cases

state vs nation

Membership in a state is an objective and legal fact, while the feeling of identification with a nation is a subjective sentiment.

we can say that a country has an elected government when

All government officials are either directly voted into office or at least are accountable to an elected official.

a principle of democracy that is defined as a political mechanism that offers citizens
regular and realistic opportunities to remove the rulers from office, through peaceful, lega

accountability

democracy requires fair elections to ensure

That the government does not meddle in the election process to favor certain candidates and/or discriminate against others.

a political legal unit with sovereignty over a particular territory and the population that resides within its borders

state

A situation wherein each individual has private incentives not to participate in an action that
benefits all members of the group is known as

collective action problem

the democratically elected government of Abania prevents citizens from spreading negative
propaganda against the ruling party before the next round of elections. This action of the party in
power undermines democracy because

citizens rights are being curtailed

modern state

has centralized and complex insitutions that mange governance, unlike feudal or decentralized systems

necessary to establish and defend sovereignty over territory

taxation

a country that experiences intense political contestation but no popular pariticpation is

non-democratic

universal sufferage

non-democratic regimes often limit this by restricitng voting rights based on race, gender, class or political loyalty

legitimacy

the degree to which citizens willingly accept the state’s sovereign authority to use power

vote of no confidence

a parliamentary vote which, if successful, terminates the prime minister’s appointment

if no candidate obtains 50 percent +1 of the votes in an electoral district, then a second round of elections is held to determine the majority winner

majority rule

electorate

refers to a group of citizens eligible to participate in the election of government leaders in a democracy

essential civil liberties in a democracy

freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press

In a presidential system such as that in the United States, the executive and legislative branches enjoy

separation of both survival and origin

divided government

occurs in presidential systems when the president comes from one party but a different party controls the legislative branch

emphasizes commonalities between workers across nations and rejects capitalism

communism

sovreignty

means the state has the authority to enforce laws, often requiring coercion to maintain order

fascism

a totalitarian ideology that promotes racism, militarism, nationalism, and state supremacy over individual rights.

accountability

a principle of democracy that is defined as a political mechanism that offers citizens regular and realistic opportunities to remove rulers from office through peaceful

fair elections ensure

that the government does not meddle in the process to favor certain candidates and/or discriminate against others

globalization

The spread of political, economic, and cultural dynamics among governments, groups, and individuals beyond the borders of any one particular country is known as

democratization

a shift from a nondemocratic to a democratic regime

modernization theory

democracy is not simply a function of economic growth, but rather
that it is a function of the cultural changes that accompany economic growth

illiberal democracies

regimes that combine elements of democracy such as universal suffrage with restrictions on citizens' rights

authoritarian regime

one in which the government imposes a complet restriction on both social and political pluralism

Empire

A large political unit with multiple territories and peoples under centralized rule, often through conquest (e.g., Roman Empire).

Empirical vs Normative Argument

Empirical arguments are based on observable facts, while normative arguments focus on what should be (value-based).

Experimental vs Observational Studies

Experimental studies manipulate variables to test effects; observational studies analyze data without intervention.

Failed State

A state unable to enforce laws, provide public goods, or maintain order (e.g., Somalia, Syria).

Feudalism

A medieval system where power was decentralized among lords and vassals rather than a central state.

Government

The organization that makes and enforces laws for a society.

History of Comparative Politics

The study of domestic politics across countries, evolving from historical analyses to empirical research.

Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) argued that a strong government (Leviathan) is needed to prevent chaos and ensure order.

Legitimacy

The recognized right of a government to rule, often based on laws, traditions, or elections.

Modernization Theory

The idea that economic development leads to cultural and political changes that support democracy.

Nation-State

A sovereign state whose population shares a common identity.

Qualitative Research

Research focusing on case studies, interviews, and historical analysis.

Rational Choice Revolution in Political Science

The application of economic models to explain political decisions as self-interested, rational behavior.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself.

The Prisoner’s Dilemma

A game theory model where rational actors fail to cooperate, even when it benefits them (used in political science to explain collective action problems).

Types of Comparative Evaluation

Methods of comparing political systems, including case studies, cross-national analyses, and historical comparisons.

Democracy

A system of government based on free elections, civil liberties, and rule of law.

Liberalism

A political ideology emphasizing individual rights, free markets, and democratic governance.

Universal Suffrage

The right of all adult citizens to vote, regardless of gender, race, or wealth.

Electoralism

The flawed belief that holding elections alone ensures democracy.

Democratic Principles

Popular sovereignty, political equality, rule of law, and individual freedoms.

Presidentialism

A system where the executive (president) is separate from the legislature and elected independently.

Hybrid System

A mix of presidential and parliamentary systems.

Checks and Balances

Mechanisms to prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Coalition Government

A government formed by multiple parties, often in parliamentary systems.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between central and regional governments.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of laws.

Plurality or Majority Rule

Electoral systems determining winners based on the highest vote count or a required majority.

Characteristics of Non-Democracies

Lack of competitive elections, restrictions on civil liberties, and centralized power.

Dictator’s Dilemma

A problem where authoritarian rulers suppress opposition but lose reliable information about public opinion.

Democratization

The process of moving from an authoritarian to a democratic system.

Waves of Democratization

Phases of democratic expansion: First Wave (1828-1926), Second Wave (1945-1960s), Third Wave (1974-present).

Forms of Political Identity

How individuals or groups define themselves politically, shaping their views on governance and policy.

Race

A socially constructed category used to classify people based on physical traits, influencing political behavior.

Behavioral Revolution in Political Science

A shift emphasizing empirical data and behavioral patterns in the analysis of political phenomena during the 1950s and 1960s.

Collective Action Problem

A situation in which individuals cannot coordinate their actions to achieve a common goal due to conflicting interests.

Correlation vs Causation

Correlation indicates a relationship between two variables, but does not confirm that one causes the other.

Ethnicity

A socially defined category based on shared cultural traits, language, and historical experiences.

Marx and Economic Identity

Karl Marx argued that economic class is a primary determinant of social identity and political behavior.

Weber and Cultural Identity

Max Weber posited that cultural factors and values play a significant role in shaping individual and group identities.

Politicizing Identity: Primordialism

The theory that ethnic and cultural identities are deeply rooted and can mobilize individuals politically.

Political Cleavage

The division within a society based on distinct characteristics such as class, ethnicity, religion, or ideology influencing political behavior.

Huntington and Identity

Samuel Huntington argued that conflicts in the post-Cold War world would be primarily cultural and religious rather than ideological.

Constructivism and Identity

The theory that identities are socially constructed through interactions and norms, rather than fixed or inherent.