102 Midterm Preparation
Week 1
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What is comparative politics and why is it important?
- Comparative politics is the study of different countries, their citizens, and politics.
Analyses the similarities and differences between them. Its important because it
can be used to find solutions to problems between nations and allows us to better
understand each other
What are the benefits of comparison?
- You can learn more about yourself and others. Allows for solutions to arise and
allows you to learn how things work in varying ways.
Week 2
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What are important steps that one needs to take when conducting a comparative
study?
- Research both topics being compared, identify similarities and differences, make a
thesis statement,
What are the differences between MSSD and MDSD?
You may list a number of variables and compare them across the two cases,
sifting through to locate similar variables. Unlike the MSSD approach, which
seeks to locate different variables across similar cases, the MDSD approach is
the opposite—the task is to locate similar variables across different cases.
- MSSD (most similar systems design) comparing similar cases that have different
outcomes will make it easier to control factors that are not the causal agent and
isolate the independent variable that explains the presence or absence of the
dependant variable.
- MDSD (most different systems design) comparing very different cases that have
the same dependant variable. This allows the research to identify a point of
similarity between otherwise different cases, and thus identify the independent
variable that’s causing the outcome.
What are the differences between large-N quantitative studies and small-N qualitative
studies?
- Large-N is typically used by MDSD. It assesses the relationship between IV and
DV across many cases using statistical techniques. The variables must be
quantified (assigned a measurable numerical form). Once data is collected on each
of the variables across a large number of cases, statistical tests can determine how
strongly the variables are correlated. Strength – due to large number of cases
reasonably valid generalizations can be made, replication of studies can be easily
conducted Weakness – not everything theoretically interesting can be quantified,
can’t adequately explain the causal mechanisms that link the IV with the DV,
studies are at the mercy of data obtained (potentially unreliable).
- Small-N is a ‘case oriented’ approach with the aim to understand the workings of
actual processes in a few countries (usually 5 or 6), tries to identify patterns in
observations that can be used to build an explanation (causal mechanisms). The
limited number of cases limits generalization, identifying causal mechanisms
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gives it explanatory power. TRIES TO IDENTIFY PATTERNS WITHIN
OBSERVATIONS THAT CAN BE USED TO BUILD AN EXPLANATION.
Qualitative = less generalisation because of less cases
Quantitative = more generalisation because of more cases
Week 3
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How are institutions important when it comes to attaining “the good society”?
- Institutions create patterns of behaviour which lead to order in society,
institutional effectiveness, state is most powerful
What are the differences between strong and weak states and why do they matter?
- Strong states – adaptable, capable, state institutions work well, highly
developed/thorough and provide high quality goods/services – policies will be
implemented as intended – coherent, autonomy, capacity. Decisions are made not
by small groups want, but based on the society as a whole
- Weak states – issues in delivering necessary services to population, citizens do not
accept the laws of the institutions/laws not enforced,
How and why do civilian supremacy and judicial independence matter for state
effectiveness?
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Week 4
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What are the common types of political participation?
- Voting, protesting, running for office, campaigning
How can individual characteristics determine how people will participate in politics?
Why does socio-economic status (SES) matter for political participation?
How can political opportunities determine the common avenues of political
participation?
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Week 5
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What is the political culture approach and what can it help to explain?
- Political culture is a set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments which give order and
meaning to a political process and which provide the underlying assumptions and
rules that govern behaviour in the political system – encompasses both the
political ideals and the operating norms of a polity.
What is Almond and Verba’s “Civic Culture” theory?
- Civic culture theory states that a civic culture or a civic political culture is a
political culture characterized by acceptance of the authority of the state, and a
belief in participation in civic duties. It is a set of political attitudes, habits,
sentiments and behaviour related to the functioning of the democratic regime.
What is Putnam’s “Bowling Alone” theory?
- The reduction in all forms of in-person social engagement upon which Americans
used to found, educate and enrich the fabric of their social lives - this undermines
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the active civil engagement upon which a strong democracy requires from its
citizens.
What is Inglehart’s theory of value change?
- Value change theory suggests that value priorities in advanced industrial societies
would start to shift away from ‘materialist’ concerns about economic and physical
security, toward a greater emphasis on freedom, self-expression, and the quality of
life, or ‘postmaterialist’ values. Arguing that differences between the formative
socialisation of young Europeans and their elders were leading young birth
cohorts to value higher levels of freedom and self-expression.
- Inglehart’s value-change thesis assumes that the economic security created by
advanced industrial societies gradually changes the goal orientations of mass
publics. In this process, an emphasis on economic security gradually fades, and
universal but often latent needs for belonging, esteem, and the realization of
individual intellectual potential become increasingly prominent. Although
individuals still value economic and physical security, they increasingly
emphasize the need for freedom, self-expression, and improving the quality of
their lives. Economic and security needs, which we term “Materialist” goals, are
still valued, but they are no longer the top priority, for a growing segment of the
public...
What is the Asian Values thesis and what is its relevance for comparative politics?
- Asian values thesis claims that Asia’s collectivistic traditions create immunity
against the West's individualistic emphasis on emancipative values and liberal
democracy. More importantly, it is held that Asia's immunity persists even under
the imprint of economic modernization.
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Week 6
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How and why do states intervene in markets?
- To combat market inequities, to promote general economic fairness, to promote
national unity, and advancement
What are the differences between free market, command, and mixed economies?
- Command economy – system is controlled by the government, Mixed economy –
partly run by the government and partly a free market economy, which is a system
that includes no government intervention and is mainly driven by the law of
supply and demand.
What are their pros and cons?
- Command economy pros – low levels of inequality and unemployment and the
common good replacing profit as the primary incentive of production
- Command economy cons – lack of competition and lack of efficiency, restricts
freedom, causes black markets to expand, unbalanced amount of goods
- Free market economy pros – economic growth and transparency, ensures
competitive markets, political and civil freedom since everyone has the right to
choose what to produce or consume
- Free market economy cons – competitive environment creates survival of the
fittest which causes companies to disregard the safety of general population,
wealth is not equally distributed, no economic stability
- Mixed economy pros – efficient allocation of resources, improvement of social
welfare, government support, incentives for innovation and efficiency
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Mixed economy cons – lack of government support, influence from private
enterprises