paper 2: comparative politics

Question 1

what are the theories of comparative analysis

Answer 1

structural theory
rational theory
cultural theory

Question 2

what is structural theory

Answer 2

institutions and their structure - the formal observable from the outside (the script)

Question 3

what is rational theory

Answer 3

the actions and decisions of groups and individuals (the actors and how they perform the script)

Question 4

what is cultural theory

Answer 4

the history, shared values and cultural context (the theatre design and audience reaction)

Question 5

similarities in terms of office

Answer 5

both limit terms for congress and commons

Question 6

similarities in elections and elected posts

Answer 6

both directly elect local and national legislatures and government
devolution creates quasi-federalism that matches the US electing their state legislators

Question 7

similarities in electoral systems

Answer 7

both use simple plurality - FPTP for legislatures
- creates strong and stable governments
(two party dominant system)
- unrepresentative and disproportionate

Question 8

what are the structural comparisons in elections

Answer 8

terms of office
elections and elected posts
electoral systems

Question 9

what are the rational comparisons in elections

Answer 9

policies for natural supporters
use of social media
leaders personalities
capturing marginal votes

Question 10

differences in terms of office

Answer 10

UK can change the length of term with an Act of Parliament (uncodified constitution) but US needs a constitutional amendment
creates a culture of continuous campaigning in US because of the quick turnaround
can give US stronger mandate as they were elected most recently
no limits on how long a PM can serve

Question 11

differences in elections and elected posts

Answer 11

US uses primaries and caucuses
UK has additional elected officials eg Crime Commissioner

Question 12

differences in electoral systems

Answer 12

UK devolved bodies use more variety in electoral systems eg. AMS in scotland
only Maine uses ranked choice
proportional systems results in coalitions and minority governments which doesnt happen in US

Question 13

similarities in policies for natural supporters

Answer 13

both appeal to core voters eg the right tend to be concerned about immigration (the conservatives rwanda policy and Trumps mass deportation plan)

Question 14

similarities in the use of social media

Answer 14

increased and sophisticated use of social media to increase support, participation and target the youth vote which tends to go to the left eg Truth Social + the fake news scandals

Question 15

similarities in personalised politics

Answer 15

both focus on strengths and qualities of the leaders eg johnson’s record as mayor of London or Trumps business
both countries seem to move to populism

Question 16

similarities in capturing marginal votes

Answer 16

both campaign in parts of the country to capture swing areas eg the West midlands UK and the US Midwest rust belt

Question 17

differences in policies for natural supporters

Answer 17

UK policy focus is on winning elections to form a government, few other opportunities to vote on a national level other than referendums eg Brexit
US have midterms every 2 years and don’t use referendums so they have changing policies

Question 18

differences in the personalisation of politics

Answer 18

UK debates promote policy for party votes
US showcases candidates for presidential votes
US personal politics is more tetchy eg “lock her up” chant in Trump’s 2020 campaign

Question 19

what are the cultural comparisons in elections

Answer 19

personalities
candidate selection
voting behaviour

Question 20

similarities in personalities

Answer 20

both countries policies can get strongly associated with individuals - sloganisation eg “get Brexit done” - BJ, MAGA - Trump

Question 21

similarities in candidate selection

Answer 21

both processes allow for some public participation

Question 22

similarities in voting behaviour

Answer 22

both have universal suffrage
both have the youth vote and ethnic minorities favour the left
both right of centre parties find it hard to attract support from middle class “cosmopolitan” voters

Question 23

differences in personalities

Answer 23

UK focuses more on parties and US on the individual
US debates are more traditional and embedded as they’re only recent in UK

Question 24

differences in candidate selection

Answer 24

UK only party members can vote
US have primaries and caucuses where ordinary voters can have more influence

Question 25

differences in voting behaviour

Answer 25

US religion is more significant eg “christian right” supporting the right on policies like abortion and same sex marriage
UK - strong low income areas to Labour bond
US - strong low income and non-diverse areas to Republican bond

Question 26

what are the basic similarities in US and UK elections

Answer 26

safeguards in place to protect democracy eg photo ID, secret ballots, assigned counters
no constitutional obligation to vote
its legal to spoil the ballot
both countries offer the postal vote
elections operate under the law eg must be 18, not a convict, cannot use bribery and honourably pass on power

Question 27

what is a two party system

Answer 27

where two main parties are likely to win 80% the vote and form and government

Question 28

which country is more of a two party system

Answer 28

USA - entrenched TPS eg in congressional elections 100% seats go to Republicans or Democrats

Question 29

why are both UK and USA more two party systems

Answer 29

the electoral college produces a two party favoured result
FPTP reproduces it whereas proportional representation reproduces multi party systems

Question 30

arguments for the US as a two party system

Answer 30

duopoly in the US forever
clearer partisan alignment
finance advantage to two parties (PACS and superPACs)
internal coalitions means theres no space for third parties because D or R offer everything
hard for 3rd parties because big parties can appropriate policy

Question 31

arguments for the UK as a two party system

Answer 31

duopoly since WW1
80% seats won by C or L in 2024 election
only PMs from L or C in the last 100 years

Question 32

arguments against the US as a two party system

Answer 32

its a 100 party system (total senators)
parties are decentralised
a democrat from alabama is going to be different in ideology to one in new york
often a one party system in safe states in areas like new england

Question 33

arguments against the UK as a two party system

Answer 33

pendulum effect - one holds balance of power in Westminster
CL-D coalition - 2.5 party system?
C and L never get 100% seats
3rd parties dominate in devolved regions because they use PR eg Wales uses AMS and NI used STV

Question 34

why is the UK less of a two party system than the US

Answer 34

voter dealignment
devolution leads to multiparty systems
rise of nationalism policies
modern movement to a multiparty system