paper 2: comparative politics Flashcards
what are the theories of comparative analysis
structural theory
rational theory
cultural theory
what is structural theory
institutions and their structure - the formal observable from the outside (the script)
what is rational theory
the actions and decisions of groups and individuals (the actors and how they perform the script)
what is cultural theory
the history, shared values and cultural context (the theatre design and audience reaction)
similarities in terms of office
both limit terms for congress and commons
similarities in elections and elected posts
both directly elect local and national legislatures and government
devolution creates quasi-federalism that matches the US electing their state legislators
similarities in electoral systems
both use simple plurality - FPTP for legislatures
- creates strong and stable governments
(two party dominant system)
- unrepresentative and disproportionate
what are the structural comparisons in elections
terms of office
elections and elected posts
electoral systems
what are the rational comparisons in elections
policies for natural supporters
use of social media
leaders personalities
capturing marginal votes
differences in terms of office
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
differences in elections and elected posts
US uses primaries and caucuses
UK has additional elected officials eg Crime Commissioner
differences in electoral systems
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
similarities in policies for natural supporters
both appeal to core voters eg the right tend to be concerned about immigration (the conservatives rwanda policy and Trumps mass deportation plan)
similarities in the use of social media
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
similarities in personalised politics
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
similarities in capturing marginal votes
both campaign in parts of the country to capture swing areas eg the West midlands UK and the US Midwest rust belt
differences in policies for natural supporters
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
differences in the personalisation of politics
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
what are the cultural comparisons in elections
personalities
candidate selection
voting behaviour
similarities in personalities
both countries policies can get strongly associated with individuals - sloganisation eg “get Brexit done” - BJ, MAGA - Trump
similarities in candidate selection
both processes allow for some public participation
similarities in voting behaviour
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
differences in personalities
UK focuses more on parties and US on the individual
US debates are more traditional and embedded as they’re only recent in UK
differences in candidate selection
UK only party members can vote
US have primaries and caucuses where ordinary voters can have more influence
differences in voting behaviour
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
what are the basic similarities in US and UK elections
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
what is a two party system
where two main parties are likely to win 80% the vote and form and government
which country is more of a two party system
USA - entrenched TPS eg in congressional elections 100% seats go to Republicans or Democrats
why are both UK and USA more two party systems
the electoral college produces a two party favoured result
FPTP reproduces it whereas proportional representation reproduces multi party systems
arguments for the US as a two party system
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
arguments for the UK as a two party system
duopoly since WW1
80% seats won by C or L in 2024 election
only PMs from L or C in the last 100 years
arguments against the US as a two party system
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
arguments against the UK as a two party system
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
why is the UK less of a two party system than the US
voter dealignment
devolution leads to multiparty systems
rise of nationalism policies
modern movement to a multiparty system
