Comparative Politics 9/14

Question 1

Politics

Answer 1

The struggle for power that will give one or more persons the ability to make decisions for the larger groups; pursuit of authority to make decisions that will affect the entire community as a whole

Question 2

Comparative Politics

Answer 2

The study and comparison of domestic politics across countries

Question 3

International relations

Answer 3

Study between countries; foreign policy war, trade, foreign aid, etc.

Question 4

Analytical concepts

Answer 4

Assumptions and theories that guide our research

Question 5

Methods

Answer 5

Ways to study and test those theories

Question 6

Ideals

Answer 6

Belief and values about preferred outcomes

Question 7

Institutions

Answer 7

Organizations or activities that are self-oerouating and valued for their own sake

Question 8

Power

Answer 8

The ability to influence others or impose one’s will on them

Question 9

Comparative method

Answer 9

A way to compare to compare cases and draw coonclusions

Question 10

Inductive reasoning

Answer 10

To form hypotheses about why a country operates as it does

Question 11

Deductive reasoning

Answer 11

Starting with a puzzle and from there generating some hypothesis about cause and effect to test against a number of cases

Question 12

Correlation

Answer 12

Apparent association, between certain factors or variables

Question 13

Causal relationship

Answer 13

Cause and effect

Question 14

Multicausality

Answer 14

Many variables interact to produce particular outcomes

Question 15

Area Studies

Answer 15

To study parts of the world where similar variables are clustered rather than compare countries from different parts of the world

Question 16

Endeogeneity

Answer 16

A major obstacle in any comparative research

Question 17

Theory

Answer 17

Denied as an integrated set of hypothesis, assumptions, and facts

Question 18

Behavioral revolution

Answer 18

Generate theories and generalizations

Question 19

Rational choice/ game theory

Answer 19

Study the rules and games by which political is played and how human beings act on their preferences

Question 20

Formal institutions

Answer 20

Based on officialy sanctioned rules that are relatively clear

Question 21

Informal institutions

Answer 21

Unwritten and unofficial rules

Question 22

Freedom

Answer 22

One’s ability to act independently, without fear of restriction or punishment by the state or other individuals or groups in society

Question 23

Equality

Answer 23

Refers to a material standard of living shard by individuals within a community, society, or country

Question 24

Consensus

Answer 24

Individuals band together to protect themselves and create common rules

Question 25

Federalism

Answer 25

powers such as taxation, lawmaking, and security are devolved to regional bodies and to local legislatures that control specific territories within the country

Question 26

Unitary state

Answer 26

Political power is concentrated at the national level, and local authority is limited

Question 27

Devolution

Answer 27

A way to increase state legitimacy by moving political power closer to the people

Question 28

Strong states

Answer 28

Able to fulfill basic tasks; defend their territory, make and enforce rules and rights, collect taxes: defend their territory, camel and enforce rules and rights, collect, taxes, and manage the economy

Question 29

Weak states

Answer 29

Cannot execute tasks well; Tax evasion and other forms of public noncompliance; revels movements and crimes; state officials corrupt

Question 30

Failed States

Answer 30

The weak starts to deteriorate

Question 31

Capacity

Answer 31

The ability of the state to wield power in order to carry out the basic tasks of providing security and reconciling freedom and equality