Midterm 1 Flashcards
Hypothesis
an argument that links cause to effect; a specific proposed explanation for why an outcome occurs
- includes causal relationship
- testable and falsifiable
Independent Variable
the one that we expect to change the value of the dependent variable (X)
- CAUSE
Dependent Variable
the one we expect to have its value altered by the independent variable (Y)
- EFFECT
Most Similar Systems Design
identify key features that are different among similar cases
- method of difference
Most Different Systems Design (MDSD)
cases in which the outcomes doesn’t vary across different cases
- goal is to identify what these different cases have in common
- method of agreement
Quantitative Research
Study through statistical data from many cases; excel in testing whether patterns are generalizable
- breadth over depth
Qualitative Research
study through in-depth investigation of a limited number of cases; excel in detail-oriented theory development
- depth over breadth
Institutions
Structure/mechanism of social order and cooperation governing the behavior of a set of individuals within a given community
Endogeneity
The issue that cause and effect are not often clear, in that variables may be both cause and effect in relationship to one another
State
A human community that claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory
- has territory, institutions, clear membership rules
Regime
the fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals regarding individual freedom and collective equality
Government
the set of people who run the state or have the authority to act on behalf of the state at a particular point in time
Sovereignty
Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs by other states.
State Strength (Fukuyama)
The ability and capacity of a state to
- plan and execute policy
- administer public business with relative efficiency
- control corruption and bribery
- enforce laws
State Scope (Fukuyama)
- the goals and functions that a state takes on in the first place
- the range of activities that a state carries out
Ex: The U.S. has a limited state scope in terms of healthcare compared to Western European countries
Head of State/Head of Government
Representative of a nation
Modern International State System
territory is
- consolidated
- unified
- centralized
- under a sovereign government