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
.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
.démo transition: countries that transition from authoritarian regime to demo may face instabilites, power vacuum…
. sustaining démo: newly established démo often struggle with consolidating démo norms, ensuring rule of Law, preventing backsliding into authoritarianism
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 -> political sys= a framework for processing inputs into outputs
It views politics as the authoritative allocation of values within a society
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 ( make décisions on who gets what, when, and how in society. Thé décisions distribute ressources, rights, and respo in ways that are accepted as légitimitate and enforceable by authority)
.sys: set of éléments or part, functional or material or both, which are inter-related, interdependent, and interacting
.political sys: “sys of interactions in society through which binding and authoritative allocation of values are made and implemented”
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, so the authoritative allocation of values
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)
What is thé political sys in Easton’s model
Thé framework for processing inputs into outputs through décision making institutions ( ex gouvernement)
What are thé challenges when there is too much demande in Easton’s input output model
.volume stress: overwhelming thé sys with excessive demands
.content stress: demands that conflict with thé sys’s core values or capabilities
