Comparative Politics Flashcards
Def of CP
The study of political système, institutions, and processes across différent countries: compare similarities, différences and patterns to understand how politics operates globally, focusing on themes like gouvernance power, democracy, authoritarianism, and policy outcomes
Why is CP important
. Crucial to understand a country to develop valid généralisations
.broadening horizons: studying multiple countries expose us to alternative système, ideas, challenge ethnocentric view
.policy lessons: WE Can learn from the successes or failures of others
What are thé PROS of CP
. cross national researches allow to test généralisations
.comparing countries with broad spread of caractéristiques opens up horizons
.show thé interconnectedness of political structures and processes and envrnmt
.neutral, less biaises to compare, explain functions (no value-based judgement)
What are thé CONS of CP
.cannot answer qu of value: empirical approach (rooted in the scientific method, which prioritizes observable, measurable phenomena) prioritizes “what is” over “what ought to be.”
.often lacks évidence
.deals in probabilities not certainties or laws
.suffers from thé flaw that what is important is often difficult to compare
.neglect uniqueness, bcs comparaison impossible
.not enough to look AT thé structure of a political sys bcs 2 things Can have thé same name but différent functions in différent states (ex président) + taking big différences into account= WE loose thé détails, particularities of a sys that Can not bé compared bcs specific to one sys
What are thé Big PB that political système need to adress
. institutions and gov system
.démocratisation and development
.globalisation and politico-economic orders
Why are institutions and goverment systems a PB that political sys needs to adress
Political sys must design, adapt, institutional frameworks to ensure functionality and stability:
.inclusive institutions: creating institutions that promote équitable participation, protect rights, représentation for diverse sociétal groups
.dvlmpt models: balancing eco dvlmpt with social equity (choice btwn capitalist démo, socialist sys…)
.income inequality and poverty : adressing disparies in wealth and income
Why is démocratisation and dvlmpt a PB that political sys have to adress
Relationship btwn dvlmpt and demo poses diff challenges:
.economic growth and demo: balancing demo accountability and dvlmpt goals
ex: In India, democratic accountability often leads to populist measures like loan waivers for farmers or fuel subsidies, which can strain fiscal policies and delay long-term developmental goals. This balancing act can slow down reforms needed for sustained growth.
.démo transition: countries that transition from authoritarian regime to demo may face instabilites, power vacuum… -> prioritise demo over economic dvlpmt
. sustaining démo: newly established démo often struggle with consolidating démo norms, ensuring rule of Law, preventing backsliding into authoritarianism
-> Corruption, weak institutions, and economic inequality can lead to authoritarian tendencies
Why is globalisation and politico-economic orders a challenge that political sys have to adress
Globalisation= more complexity to political sys by intégrating them into a global network of economic, political, and social interdépendencies:
.institutional adaptation: globalisation forces national political sys to adapt their institutional frameworks to external pressures (trade agreements, multinational corporations, global regulatory bodies)
.converging or diverging orders: Political Sys must navigate whether globalisation leds to a homogenization of gov models ex libéral demo or if globalisation reinforce unique national approach. Global trends (nationalism, populisme…) create more divergence
-> PB of divergence: différent sys so hinder coopération in global challenges + national priorités vs global demandes + divergence in economic policies Can lead to uneven dvlmpt, destabilising global politico-economic orders
.economic intégration vs sovereignty: PSys need to balance thé bénef of global eco intégration with thé preservation of national sov esp in areas liké trade, taxation and labor rights
What is thé easton’s input-output model
It is a sys analysis framework for understanding political sys
Highlights thé interaction btwn thé envrnmt and the political sys through inputs, outputs and feedback
Explains how sys adapt (demands converted into policies through the political sys) and remain stable (support) amid sociétal pressures
Def of political, sys, and political sys by David Easton
.political: the authoritative allocation of value (politics involves making décisions on who gets what, when, and how in society; distribute ressources, rights, and respo in ways that are accepted as légitimitate and enforceable by authority)
-> ex:a government deciding how to allocate healthcare resources during a crisis reflects the authoritative allocation of value by prioritizing one group over another
.sys: set of éléments or part, functional (roles, norms) or material (institutions, stuctures) or both, which are inter-related, interdependent, and interacting
-> ex: the judiciary, executive, and legislative branches of government
.political sys: “sys of interactions (among individuals, groups, and institutions that collectively decide on and enforce policies) in society through which binding and authoritative allocation of values are made and implemented”
-> ex: some political system includes elections (input), policymaking (interaction), and the implementation of laws (output), all while adapting to public feedback
What are inputs in Easton’s model
Inputs=demands : flow into thé sys and are converted into outputs
Can be:
.demands (request for action)
.support:
A. Specific support (based on satisfaction with sys outputs ex: people approve of gov bcs…)
B. Diffuse support( or loyalety to the sys’s institutions, values, norms, regardless of specific outcomes ex citizens respect thé constitution even if thé disagree with curent leaders/ policies
What are outputs in Easton’s input output model
Outputs=décisions and actions (laws, policies) produced by thé sys, policy implementation
It is thé result of thé input After having passed thé political sys
What is the feedback in Easton’s model
Info on how outputs affect society, influencing future inputs (After outputs)
-> support or not, approuval or not
What is thé political sys in Easton’s model
Thé framework for processing inputs into outputs through décision making institutions ( ex gouvernement)
What are the challenges that inputs give to Easton’s input output model and what could be the solutions?
.volume stress: overwhelming thé sys with excessive demands
-> solutions=
1. filter mechanism: Political parties, interest groups, or bureaucracies can act as intermediaries to prioritize and organize demands before they reach decision-makers
2. Educating citizens about the limits of the system’s capacity to respond to demands can help reduce unrealistic or excessive expectations.
.content stress: demands that conflict with thé sys’s core values or capabilities
-> solutions:
1. reafirming core values: reinforce its core values through education, civic engagement, and symbolic actions that emphasize shared identity and norms
2. engage in dialogue with stakeholders to find middle ground or adapt demands to align with the system’s values and capacities
3. system can gradually adjust its values or capabilities to accommodate new demands
