Comparative Politics

Moral and Social Issues

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Political Violence

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Selection Bias

A focus on effects rather than causes (looking specifically at a small group where you can see the effects), which can lead to inaccurate conclusions about correlation or causatoin

Nation

A group that desires self-government through an independent state

Game Theory

An approach that emphasises how actors or organisations behave in their goal to influence others. Built upon assumptions of rational choice.

What is deductive reasoning?

An argument that is intended to be valid, that is, to provide a guarantee of the truth of the conclusion. To provide such a strong point that it would be impossible for the conclusion to be false. Example: It's sunny in Singapore. If it's sunny he won't be carrying an umbrella. So he won't be carrying an umbrella.

Institutions

An organisation or activity that is self-perpetuating and valued for its own sake

What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?

If the author of the argument believes that the truth of the premises definitely establishes the truth of the conclusion due to definition, logical entailment, logical structure, or mathematical necessity, then the argument is deductive. (proof for the conclusion) If the author does not believe the truth of the argument definitely establishes the truth of the conclusion, but still believes that their truth provides reason to believe the conclusion to be true then the argument is inductive (probability of the conclusion)

The 6 big questions of Comparative Politics

Is economic development a prerequisite for democracy? To what extent does diversity impact on the functioning of democracies? Why are moral and social issues decided so differently across advanced democracies? How does Political violence occur? How does gender affect politics? What are the challenges to the state from globalisation?

What is the Comparative Method?

It is a way to make comparisons and draw conclusions across case studies.

Civil Society

Organisation outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests. I.e. religious groups, sporting groups, lobby groups etc

Qualitative Method

Study through an in-depth investigation of a limited number of cases

Quantitative Method

Study through statistical date from many cases

Scientific Method

Systematic observation by empirical study - the structured and objective observation of phenomena in the world and identifying areas of interest Measurement - recording and comparing observations made at different times by different people (reducing bias) Formulating, testing and modifying the hypotheses (cause to explain the effect) Experiment - controlled manipulation to produce observation to confirm or deny theories

Regime

The fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals regarding individual freedom and collective equality, where power should reside, and the use of that power. Example; democratic and authoritarian

Market

The interaction between the forces of supply and demand that allocates resources

Endogeneity

The issue that cause and effect are not often clear, in that variables may be both cause and effect in relationship to one another

State

The organisation that maintains a monopoly of force over a given territory/ A set of political institutions to generate and execute policy regarding freedom and equality

What is Politics?

The struggle in any group for power that will give one or more persons the ability to make public and authoritative decisions about rights, responsibilities and distribution of resources for the larger group. Power is the ability to influence others or impose one's will.

What is comparative politics?

The study and comparison of domestic politics across and within countries. It seeks to be scientific, to identify a cause and effect and quite simple why different countries do politics differently

What is inductive reasoning?

Using case studies to generate hypotheses. An argument that is intended to establish or increase the probability of the conclusion. To make an assumption seem so strong that the conclusion must be false. Example: Every time I walk past that dog, he hasn't tried to bite me. So next time I walk y that dog he won't try to bite me.

What are we comparing in Comparative Politics?

We are comparing: National political systems Supra-national units Regions Cities Institutions Policies Political leaders and their regimes Voters/citizens and their behaviour and culture

Causes and Effects/Variables

We seek to find the causes for the effects.. I.e. Does democracy create greater higher economic stability rates. But which is which? What is the cause and what is the effect. Variables in Comparative Politics are: economic growth, population, natural resources, regimes, political culture, history

What kind of questions do we ask?

What conditions bring social revolutions? Why does the USA have a private health care system while the UK has a public system? Why, when and how do we become democratic? Why are some states stronger than others? How do regimes emerge?

Correlation

When two variables which frequently occur in sequence or together BUT just because A and B occur together, it does not mean the A caused B or just because B followed A, it still does not mean that A caused B