Identify an important research question(s)
Articulate a theory
Form hypotheses
Test hypotheses
Evaluate and critically think about results
A model of the world that consists of dependent variables (DV) and independent variables (IV)
Causal Theories:
Explain the relationship between IV (cause) and DV (effect)
Example: Effect of X on Y
Dependent Variables (DV):
The phenomenon to explain (e.g., voter turnout)
Independent Variables (IV):
The cause of the outcome (e.g., weather)
Example: Bad weather leads to lower voter turnout because people avoid waiting in the rain
Ongoing administrative apparatus that develops, administers laws, and implements public policies
Characteristics of a modern state:
Territory
External and internal sovereignty
Legitimacy
Bureaucracy
Territory: Defined geographic boundaries
Sovereignty:
External Sovereignty: Recognition and legality of power by other states
Internal Sovereignty: Authority within a territory to enforce laws
Legitimacy: Recognized right to rule, enhanced by traditions and constitutional laws
Bureaucracy: A body of appointed officials whose role is to implement laws
Measures state strength through:
Economic indicators (growth, poverty)
Political indicators (legitimacy, rule of law)
Social indicators (refugees, demographic pressure)
Scoring ranges from 0 (strongest) to 120 (weakest)
Lack of legitimacy due to:
2004 Constitution limiting citizen participation
Insurgency focus over democratic development
Authoritarian behavior from President Ghani
Pakistani support of Taliban
Formal and informal political institutions defining government types
Categorized by political ideologies defining the relationship with citizens
Members of a state with specific rights and duties
Civil Rights: Personal freedoms
Political Rights: Associated with voting and participation
Social Rights: Well-being and socioeconomic equality
Sphere of organized, nonviolent activity outside of family or business; influences policy based on regime type
Based on social contract theory, emphasizing governance for the common interest
Preserves core liberties of individuals
Freedom of association
Freedom of expression
Right to vote
Broad eligibility for public office
Competitive political leadership
Alternative information sources
Free and fair elections
Government accountability to citizen preferences
Historically limited to male property owners; rights struggles of the 19th and 20th centuries expanded participation
Political leaders exploit identity for legitimacy
States define national identity, which can create inclusivity or exclusion
Desire to be acknowledged as a distinct group by the state
Autonomy entails self-governing within larger states
Balancing recognition of identity group demands vs. collective rights of all citizens
Politics defined by identity, leading to fragmentation and weakened democratic values
Argues for reparations due to historical discrimination affecting African Americans; addresses gaps in citizenship
Accountability dynamics
Power distribution between majority and minorities
Trade-offs between governance and representation
Political Accountability: Citizenry's control over leaders
Horizontal Accountability: Institutional accountability within the state
Vertical Accountability: Societal ability to hold institutions accountable
Democratic principle of majority rule vs. rights of minorities
Representing diverse viewpoints may reduce policymaking efficiency
Majoritarian: Concentrated power; single-party dominance
Consensus: Multiparty coalitions requiring broader consensus
Parliamentary systems
Presidential systems
Semi-presidential systems
Five Features:
Parliament selects Prime Minister
Centralized cabinet power
Central role of political parties
Government accountability to parliament
Discretion over elections
Citizens elect legislature, which appoints the executive, fostering accountability through elections
Majority support required to form a government
Coalition dynamics may lead to instability
Separation of powers: popularly elected executive with fixed terms
Chief executive has law-making authority
Differences in election methods, accountability, and policy-making efficiencies between systems
Trade-offs between response efficiency and citizen preferences during crises
District Magnitude: Number of seats in electoral district
Proportionality: Alignment of seat distribution with vote distribution
Single-member Plurality: Winner-takes-all voting based on plurality
Runoff Systems: Majority needed in successive rounds
List PR systems where vote distribution aligns with seat allocation
List Types: Closed, flexible, open; impact voter influence and party leader power
Importance of list types in party discipline and accountability
Trade-offs between proportionality and efficiency in governance
Associations aiming for governmental control through elections
Overcoming collective action problems by uniting interests
Objectives: Power, representation, advancing issues
Methods: Organizing, mobilizing, contesting elections
Mobilization of citizens
Training political elites
Clarifying voter choices
Government organization
Opposition formation
Dominant-party system
Two-party system
Multiparty system
Traditional cleavages have led to the emergence of parties based on various societal divisions
Ideology separating society into 'pure people' vs. 'corrupt elite'; not inherently left or right
Shared identity among groups
Distinction between populists and elite
General will guiding community action
Social inequalities are natural and should not be remedied by the state
Dissatisfaction with traditional parties prompts support for populist alternatives
Represent societal groups outside formal institutions seeking political change
Relative deprivation theory
Rational choice and resource mobilization theory
Political process theory
Focuses on political opportunity structures, cultural frames, and networks for movement development
Social movements leverage collective action to challenge political rights and social justice.