Ethel Wood Topic One: The Comparative Method

Question 1

Empirical Data

Answer 1

Based on factual statements and statistics
(Ex: One may compare statistics that reflect economic developments of a group of countries, such as GNP, per capita income, etc)

Question 2

Normative Data/Issues

Answer 2

Based/Requires value judgments

Ex: Builds on facts or statistics to determine whether those facts bode well or ill for the countries.

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A speculative statement about the relationship between two or more factors

Question 4

Variable

Answer 4

Measurable traits or characteristics that change under different conditions

Question 5

Causation

Answer 5

The idea that one variable causes or influences another

Question 6

Correlation

Answer 6

When a change in one variable coincides with a change in the other

Question 7

Three-World Approach

Answer 7

Largely based on Cold War politics

(1) The United States and its allies
(2) The Soviet Union and its allies
(3) “third world” nations that did not fit into either categories (usually very economically unstable and underdeveloped)

Question 8

Civil Society

Answer 8

The way that citizens organize and define themselves and their interests - to the way the formal government operates

Question 9

Informal Politics

Answer 9

Takes into consideration not only the way that politicians operate outside their formal powers, but also the impact that beliefs, values, and actions of ordinary citizens have on policymaking

Question 10

Importance of political change

Answer 10

The world is no longer dominated by two super powers

Question 11

Integration of Political and Economic Systems

Answer 11

Although, we separate government and politics from the economy, the two are often intertwined almost inextricably

Question 12

“Advanced” Democracies Countries

Answer 12

These countries having well established democratic governments and a high level of economic development (UK represents)

Question 13

Communist and Post-Communist Countries

Answer 13

These countries have sought to create a system that limits individual freedoms in order to divide wealth more equally

Question 14

Less Developed Countries (LDC) and Newly Industrialized Countries (NIC)

Answer 14

These third world countries are divided into LDC’s and NIC’s.

NIC: Countries that experience rapid economic growth and shown a tendency towards democratization (Iran, Mexico)

LDC: Lack significant economic development, tend to have authoritarian governments (Nigeria)