Introduction to Introduction to Comparative GovernmentComparative Government

Key Terms & MethodsKey Terms & Methods

Before we begin…Before we begin…GovernmentGovernment: the leadership : the leadership and institutions that make and institutions that make policy decisions for the policy decisions for the countrycountry

PoliticsPolitics: the ways power is : the ways power is gained, managed, gained, managed, challenged, and maintainedchallenged, and maintained

Why study other gov’ts?Why study other gov’ts?1.1.It’s part of a well-rounded It’s part of a well-rounded

educationeducation

2.2.To better understand USTo better understand US

3.3.To consider the nature of To consider the nature of power in various formspower in various forms

4.4.To learn from positive and To learn from positive and negative experiencesnegative experiences

The Comparative MethodThe Comparative MethodAristotelianTheory:AristotelianTheory:

# of Rulers

Interest of Everyone

Self-Interest

By Social Group

One Monarchy Tyranny King

Few Aristocracy OligarchyThe

Wealthy

ManyPolity or

DemocracyOchlocracy The Poor

The Comparative MethodThe Comparative Method

Three-World Approach:Three-World Approach:

1.1.United States + AlliesUnited States + Allies

2.2.Soviet Union + AlliesSoviet Union + Allies

3.3.Non-Aligned CountriesNon-Aligned Countries(Usually economically (Usually economically underdeveloped & deprived)underdeveloped & deprived)

The Comparative MethodThe Comparative Method

But… this approach ignores But… this approach ignores these recent trends:these recent trends:

1.1.Impact of informal politicsImpact of informal politics

2.2.Importance of political Importance of political changechange

3.3.Integration of political & Integration of political & economic systemseconomic systems

The Comparative MethodThe Comparative Method

Modern Classifications:Modern Classifications:

1.1. ““AdvancedAdvanced”” democracies democracies

2.2.Communist & Post-Communist & Post-Communist countriesCommunist countries

3.3.Less developed & newly Less developed & newly industrializing countriesindustrializing countries

Authority & Power - TermsAuthority & Power - Terms

SovereigntySovereignty: The exclusive: The exclusiveright to exercise political right to exercise political authority over a territoryauthority over a territory

StateState: Has a government,: Has a government,population, territory & population, territory & sovereignty (can use force!)sovereignty (can use force!)

NationNation: Group with a common: Group with a commonethnic or political identityethnic or political identity

Authority & PowerAuthority & Power

RegimeRegime: the form gov’t takes: the form gov’t takes(often associated with a (often associated with a personperson or or ideologyideology))

• Constitutional DemocracyConstitutional Democracydirect vs. indirectdirect vs. indirect

• Authoritarian SystemAuthoritarian System

• Totalitarian System Totalitarian System

LegitimacyLegitimacy

““The right to rule” The right to rule”

• TraditionalTraditional – history, ritual, – history, ritual, divine law (often heredity)divine law (often heredity)

• CharismaticCharismatic – personal – personal magnetism of leader magnetism of leader

• Rational-legalRational-legal – uses laws – uses laws & procedures & procedures ((bureaucraticbureaucratic))

Culture & IdeologyCulture & Ideology

Political CulturePolitical Culture: community- : community- held beliefs, feelings, & held beliefs, feelings, & values that influence gov’tvalues that influence gov’t(ex. individualism, level of (ex. individualism, level of political participation, etc.)political participation, etc.)

Political IdeologyPolitical Ideology: personally : personally held beliefs about held beliefs about actions actions and and goalsgoals of government of government

IdeologiesIdeologies• Classical LiberalismClassical Liberalism

• Political & economic freedomPolitical & economic freedom

• CommunismCommunism• Values equality over freedomValues equality over freedom• No private property, little freedomNo private property, little freedom

• SocialismSocialism• Regulated economy & generous benefitsRegulated economy & generous benefits• Government owns key industriesGovernment owns key industries

• FascismFascism• Strong, nationalistic state with few freedomsStrong, nationalistic state with few freedoms

• Religion/TheocracyReligion/Theocracy

Political InstitutionsPolitical Institutions

Concentration of Power:Concentration of Power:

• Unitary governmentUnitary government • centralized powercentralized power

• Federal systemFederal system• stratified powerstratified power

• Confederal systemConfederal system• diffused powerdiffused power

Political InstitutionsPolitical InstitutionsExecutive(s):Executive(s):

President Prime MinisterHead of StateSymbol of the peopleDirectly elected fixed termLeads cabinet

Head of Gov’tPerforms daily tasksFrom Legislature“no confidence”Collegial cabinet

Political InstitutionsPolitical Institutions

Legislature:Legislature:

• Unicameral vs. BicameralUnicameral vs. Bicameral

• Most assemblies are weakMost assemblies are weak

• RARE: power to initiate RARE: power to initiate legislative program, gov’t legislative program, gov’t spending, or spending, or impeachmentimpeachment

Political InstitutionsPolitical Institutions

Judiciary:Judiciary:

• Judicial review & activismJudicial review & activism

• Administrative review Administrative review

• Power expanding recentlyPower expanding recently• Ensure civil liberties/rights Ensure civil liberties/rights • Int’l agreements & treaties Int’l agreements & treaties

Political InstitutionsPolitical Institutions

Globalization or Globalization or Fragmentation?Fragmentation?

Supranational Supranational OrganizationsOrganizations

• NATONATO • European Union• European Union• OPECOPEC • United Nations• United Nations• NAFTANAFTA

On Your OwnOn Your Own

Topic ThreeTopic Three::

Political & Economic ChangePolitical & Economic Change

Topic FourTopic Four: :

Citizens, Society & the StateCitizens, Society & the State

Topic SixTopic Six::

Public PolicyPublic Policy

For your review:•Make a Venn Diagram with socialism, communism & fascism or presidential & parliamentary systems

•Use Comparative Method to describe the United States