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2nd Year > Politics of the World: Autumn > Flashcards

Politics of the World: Autumn Flashcards

1
Q

What is the process for a scientific test?

A

Observation, theory, hypothesis

Experiment, replicate

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2
Q

What is a case study?

A

Careful in depth study of country

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3
Q

What is the Small N method?

A

Compare 2 similar countries to see why different outcomes occurred. Choice of Most similar system design or method of difference

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4
Q

Small N study example?

A

Algeria v Bahrain (neither in Arab Spring)

- Poor multi party autocracy v wealthy monarchy

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5
Q

What is a large N study?

A

When lots of data sets are used and statistical analysis applied to try and predict state behaviour

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6
Q

What did C Q G say about study of politics?

A

“Collection of facts not certainties”

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7
Q

Popper on scientific study?

A

Must be “Recklessly critical”

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8
Q

Define nation?

A

A group of people sharing a common identity

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9
Q

Weber’s definition of state?

A

“A human community that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory”

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10
Q

Define regime?

A

Set of rules/procedures for electing national leaders and policies

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11
Q

Are states and nations the same thing?

A

No many nations are possible within states (UK, Brazil, Canada)

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12
Q

What are diasporas?

A

People living outside their origin country

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13
Q

What are stateless nations?

A

Jews? Roma? Kurdish?

Community groups that share a common identity but haven’t got control of a territory

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14
Q

Examples of international recognition and its role of creating states?

A

Quasi- states (e.g. Palestine): Recognised by the international community but doesn’t have control of its territory
De facto states: (e.g Moldova- Transnistria): Full state capacity but no legal (de jure) existence

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15
Q

What is a failed state?

A

State-like entity that cannot coerce/control inhabitants in a given territory (e.g. Somalia, ruling clans, no law/order)

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16
Q

Define institutions?

A

Organisations that create, enforce and apply the law. Constrain actors behaviour.

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17
Q

Nettl 1968 quote on the state?

A

“The thing exists and no amount of conceptual restructuring can dissolve it”

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18
Q

What does Block (1996) say about state power?

A

Eroded by the “dictatorship of international financial markets”

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19
Q

What does Rodrik (1996) say about the size of governments?

A

Countries more exposed to trade have bigger governments

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20
Q

What did Ruggie say in 1982 about the global economic system?

A

“Embedded liberalism”

Balance of free trade and welfare programmes

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21
Q

What is the contractarian view of the state?

A
  • State of nature existed before states (Hobbes ‘war of all against all’). “Life was solitary poor and brutish”
  • Sovereign is scary, coerces people into following the law (as long as it stops conflict)
  • People exchange natural rights for civil rights
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22
Q

What is the predatory view of the state?

A

States meant to protect but are in fact the greatest source of threat by exploiting the social contract. Demand taxes/laws to protect them from themselves

-If we are all nasty in the state of nature why would the state behave well?

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23
Q

What did Wiltford, 1957, say made civilisation?

A

Resource scarcity made civilisation possible

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24
Q

What does Tilly (1985) believe makes states?

A

States are made through conflict

“War makes the state… states make war”

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25
Q

What is the theory of quasi-voluntary compliance?

A

It is cheaper to give citizens something for their money than to forcibly remove it

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26
Q

Reasons people have suggested the state is becoming weaker?

A
  • Globalisation
  • IGOs
  • Regional integration
  • Changing concept of sovereignty (gov’s protecting people)
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27
Q

What did Peter Evans (1997) say in the Eclipse of the state?

A

“while eclipse is a possibility, it is not a likely one”

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28
Q

Is a world with no state a possibility?

A
  • Greater profit? Greater problems

- Government needed for relations, regulation, fiscal and monetary policy and a public sector

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29
Q

What did Huntington say about government in 1968?

A

Degree of government not the form that is important

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30
Q

What is Geddes (1999) definition of a regime?

A

Set of (in)formal rules and procedures or electing national leaders and policies

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31
Q

Plato’s view on democracy?

A

A skilled captain is required. Democracy would lead to instability and tyranny

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32
Q

Aristotle’s view on democracy?

A

A bad idea as the poor would just try to take money away from the rich

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33
Q

What is the Minimalist view of democracy?

A

Focus on the process, not about the outcome but how it is conducted. A strict criteria

  • Free/fair election -Executive constraints
  • Many parties -Level playing field
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34
Q

Schumpeter’s view on democracy?

A

Free elections with competition

“Free competition for a free vote” (1947)

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35
Q

What is Dahl (1959) view on democracy?

A

Thicker view than Schumpeter/ minimalist so you also need suffrage, expression, association and a free press

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36
Q

What do Minimalists think the purpose of democracy is?

A

To establish a system of governance where govs can be rid of peacefully. Act to prevent conflict and civil unrest

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37
Q

What is the substantive view of democracy?

A

About values and the outcome not just the process.

  • Goals/ effectiveness
  • Outcomes
  • Substantive good achieved?
  • Freedom from conflict. Education. Equality etc
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38
Q

Problems with the substantive view of democracy?

A
  • Biased, Western Centric
  • Undermines successful transitions
  • Criteria too strict (e.g. USA too much inequality)
  • All or nothing approach
  • Normative, impossible standard
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39
Q

Montesquieu 1782 quote on suffrage?

A

Suffrage by lot is natural to democracy. As that by choice is to aristocracy

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40
Q

Lord Kelvin quote on democracy?

A

“If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it”

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41
Q

Schmitter on democracy problem?

A

Scholars have hesitated to use the word democracy due to its ambiguity

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42
Q

What happened under Orban in Hungary, Fidesz party?

A
  • Branches of government no longer separate
  • Committee investigations stopped
  • Political allies promoted
  • Rule of law not upheld
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43
Q

Two approaches to classifying democracies?

A

Dichotomy: Is or it not
Continuum: Spectrum ‘degree to which it is democratic’

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44
Q

What is the Democracy-Dictatorship measure of demcracy?

A

Dichotomy approach from Cheibub (2010). Elections must be contested, elected legislature & chief executive, multi-party, *alternation of power has occurred

  • Ex ante uncertainty
  • Repeatability
  • Ex post irreversibility
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45
Q

What is the Polity IV measure of democracy?

A

Continuum minimalist measure which scales 0-10 for democracy and autocracy and subtracts one from the other.
Factors: -Competitiveness and openness of exec recruitment
-Regulation and competitiveness of participation
-Executive Constraint, protect losers

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46
Q

Przeworski 1991, key features of elections?

A
  • Uncertainty
  • Irreversibility
  • Repeatedness
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47
Q

What is the Freedom House measure of democracy?

A

Continuum, substantive view

  • Measures global freedom, not regime type seen as a measure for democracy (Civil rights)
  • Free (1-2.5) Partially (3-5.5) Not free (6-7)
  • Corruption? Property rights? Free media?
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48
Q

How to evaluate measures of democracy?

A
  • Conceptualisation
  • Validity
  • Reliability
  • Replicability
  • Question matter “Bias of the researcher”
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49
Q

What are Dahl’s (1959) conditions for Polyarchy?

A
  • Officals make policy decisions
  • Free/fair/frequent elections
  • Large suffrage
  • Right to stand
  • Freedom of expression
  • Alternative info
  • Join independant organisations
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50
Q

Dahl quote on Polyarchy?

A

“Contingent consent of politicians acting under conditions of bounded uncertainty”

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51
Q

Who is credited with the modernisation thesis?

A

Lipset, 1950s/60s America

52
Q

What is modernisation theory?

A
  • Former colonies failed to democratise and not economically strong
  • “Stage of development” required for democracy
  • Immature traditional societies lack structures needed and have low literacy levels
  • Modernisation leads to civic engagement/political participation and demand for democracy
53
Q

Examples to support modernisation theory?

A
  • Japan, South Korea.

- GDP per capita evidence, it’s a strong correlation but not spurious relationship

54
Q

Examples that DO NOT support modernisation theory?

A
  • UAE, Singapore

- Both well developed but no democracy

55
Q

Critique of modernisation theory?

A
  • Western centric/ Patronising
  • Linear concept of development
  • Countries have episodes of democracy/autocracy
  • “O’Donnell
56
Q

What is North and Weingast (1989) predatory theory?

A

During the switch from Agrarian economies to manufacturing ones profits are easier to hide. States are forced to limit predatory activities. States need to ask to borrow money to fund operations

57
Q

What is the credible commitment problem?

A

State wants to borrow from citizens. Rich citizens don’t have to lend the money. State has monopoly on the use of force. Democracy allows people to hold the state accountable for their promises and actions

58
Q

What is Ross (2001) thesis?

A

Idea that if the assets in a country aren’t liquid there is no exit option. Especially evident for oil. Hence why the middle East has failed to democratise

59
Q

What is Przeworski et al (2000) thesis on democratisation?

A
  • We should focus on dynamic models of regime transition (not static ones)
  • Survival and emergence are different
  • Economics is NO PART of democratic transitions but help the SURVIVAL of the regime
60
Q

Montesquieu quote on government?

A

“People get the government that represents their values and preferences”

61
Q

Boix quote on democracies?

A

Democracies only survive when all sides show restraint on demands and can accept losing elections

62
Q

What do Idealists believe about democracy?

A

Blossoming liberal institutions replace old ones

63
Q

What percentage of countries are democratic?

A

50% similar/same as in the 1920s

64
Q

Realists view on democracy?

A

Stability = development

65
Q

Huntington on stability?

A

There is a bell shaped pattern of instability

66
Q

What causes democratisation ideas?

A
  • Spontaneous and unpredictable
  • Death of a dictator (Spain, Gen Franco)
  • Economic crisis (Solidarity in Poland)
  • Rich v Poor democracy (lack of a middle class)
  • Defeat in war (Argentina, Falklands)
67
Q

Three theories (briefly) on ethnic groups and conflict?

A

Primordialist: Traditions of belief, biology and territory. Geertz- repeated conflict ties ethnicity to civil society

Constructivist: Socially constructed nature of ethnic groups often political decisions

68
Q

What is Almond and Verba 1963 Civic culture idea?

A

Need civic culture for democratisation

  • Parochial culture
  • Tribal subject, central politics
  • Participant culture (trust in institutions, gradual change)
  • Civic (Western)
69
Q

What is the thesis on religion and democracy?

A

Protestantism is the most democracy friendly religion focus on individual freedom and responsibility. Respect and nonviolence. Orthodoxy (practise) not orthopraxy (conduct)

70
Q

Why is Catholicism argued to be incompatible with democracy?

A
  • “One Church, One Truth” not inclusive
  • Focus on hierarchy
  • Mussolini’s Italy a key example
71
Q

Huntington 1996 theory on Islam?

A
  • Prone to political violence
  • Merges political and religious spheres (Harris 1993)
  • Repression and Polyarchy
72
Q

Problems with religion and democracy thesis?

A

All religions have compatible and incompatible elements

  • Przeworski (1998) claim protestantism aimed to legitimise self interest and individualism, not compatible with democratic equality
  • Islam: Ijma (Consensus) Shura (Consultation). Democratic Muslim countries like Turkey and Bangladesh
73
Q

What are Huntington’s waves of democracy?

A

1st: 1826- 1922: US constitution. Universal Suffrage
2nd: 1943 - 1962: End of WW2, democratisation of Germany, Japan, Latin America, India etc
3rd Wave: 1974 - ? : Globalisation. Peace? Promoting democracy. Portugal, Greece, Fall of USSR

74
Q

Example of a bottom up democratic transition?

A

East Germany, Gorbachev introduced Glasnost and Perestroika, which encouraged opposition movements (Iron Curtain breached in 1989 Hungary opened Austrian border). East Germans fled through Hungary. Protest, civic war close. Resist Chinese optio. Gorbachev stops interventions, elites desperate to save the regime. Berlin Wall falls November 1989

75
Q

What is the collective action theory?

A

Collective pursuit of a common goal (usually public) leads to a free-rider problem. (Bellin’ the Cat, Olson 1965)

76
Q

What is the Tipping point model?

A

True v Revealed Preferences
Costs of voting anti-regime can be high, leads to preference falsification (never know what someone thinks). Different people have different revolutionary thresholds

77
Q

What can encourage people to reveal their true preferences on the regime?

A
  • Economic crisis
  • Liberalisation/reform periods
  • Inequality
  • Inspirational acts
78
Q

Kuron on the 1989 revolution

A

“Expected it to take longer”

76% of people surprised by the East German revolution

79
Q

What is Brecht’s complet?

A

Victim of today is victor of tomorrow

Out of never grows now

80
Q

Tocqueville quotes on revolution?

A

“Chance played no part whatsoever in the revolution”

“grievances come to appear intolerable once the possibility of removing it crosses men’s minds”

81
Q

Rustow 1970 on democracy?

A

“Democracy is a choice- conscious decision for elites”

82
Q

Top down view on democracy?

A

Regimes ruled by elites, splits in this group lead to conflict (Hard v Soft liners). Liberalisation is meant to save the regime and appease political opposition
e.g. Soviet Union (1980s) and Poland

83
Q

Poland example of top down democratisation?

A
  • 1970S economic crisis under Gierek, with foreign debts spiralling and prices increasing.
  • Shipyard strikes.
  • Solidarity trade union formed in 1980. Jaruzelski used martial law until 1983. Big Thaw of 1988
  • Led to Round table talks and elections which the regime did not expect to lose
84
Q

What is the transition paradigm?

A

Idea that a country moving away from dictatorial rule can be considered a country in transition toward
democracy (opening, breakthrew and consolidation). Elections are key.

More democracies than autocracies in 1992

85
Q

Why did Carothers critique the transition paradigm?

A
  • Set sequence is wrong
  • Can go back and forth
  • “Anyone can do it”
  • Not all democracies have coherent states
  • Grey zone (feckless pluralism simply voting to dominant power politics)
  • No linear trajectory to democracy
86
Q

4 theories of origins of dictatorships?

A

Wittfogel (1968): Resource scarcity (harsh decisions)
Thompson (1996): External threat/ military conflict
Linz (1975): Nationalism (autocracy used to suppress)
Lipset (1950s): Modernisation theory

87
Q

Difference between authoritarian and totalitarian regimes?

A

A: Little role of ideology, depoliticisation, some pluralism/opposition, oppression not on mass
T: Ideology key, social mobilisation, no opposition, total societal control, lots of repression/violence

88
Q

Ways and Levitsky critique of autocracy typologies?

A
  • Exists within the transition paradigm
  • Obscures crucial differences
  • Reductionist
  • Doesn’t show modern autocracies
89
Q

What is Levitsky’s competitive authoritarianism?

A

Grey zone, hold elections. Some contest. Uneven playing field. Incumbants advantage

90
Q

What is Schedler electoral authoritarianism?

A

Free elections. Lack of rule of law, accountability

-Civil liberties lacking. Degree of uncertainty in elections

91
Q

Ways and Levitsky types of regimes?

A

Liberal democracies
Electoral democracies
Electoral authoritarian regimes
Authoritarian regimes

92
Q

Grof on military regimes in 1988?

A

“Incapable of reasoning once its limited conceptive aims have been asserted”

93
Q

Robinson on elite power 2001?

A

Elites willing to cede power if costs of revolution are too high

94
Q

Mallign 2003 on wealth in democracies?

A

“Contemporary democracies don’t on average distribute wealth more than dictatorships”

95
Q

Brief overview of military regimes?

A
  • Syria, Egypt (2011) (8 in the world)
  • Ruled by Military officers, subject to internal splits.
  • Quick to recede back to the barracks (Exit option)
96
Q

Brief overview of Monarchy regimes?

A
  • Bahrain, Saudi Arabia (9 in the world)
  • Dynastic (Saudi’s), institutionalised leadership changes. Royal family very powerful
  • Non-dynastic (Iran before 1979). Monarchy, everyone dependant on the monarch. Regime falls when leader abdicates
  • Can adapt to changes easily. Highly durable.
97
Q

Brief overview of single party regimes?

A
  • China, Cuba ( 9 in the world)
  • One party
  • Work your way up the party, a united party is better for everyone. Very stable regime
98
Q

Brief overview of multi-party regimes?

A
  • Everywhere! Turkey, Afghanistan, Nigeria
  • 47 in the world
  • Fail on fairness criteria, lack of liberties and level playing field
99
Q

Brief overview of personalist regimes?

A
  • Can exist in any of the formats
  • Kim-Jong-Un (Single Party)
  • Idi Amin (Military)
  • Focus is on one leader, extremely repressive regimes
  • Lack of autonomous institutions. No power for the parties
100
Q

Hyde 2006, why do authoritarian regimes hold elections?

A
  • To increase domestic legitimacy
  • Prevent regime breakdown
  • Appear democratic (foreign legitimacy)
  • Popular support
  • United elites
  • Weaker oppostion
101
Q

What happened in Liberia in 1927 elections? Russia 2011 elections?

A
  • King received 240,000 votes despite 15,000 registered voters
  • Voter turnout 146% in one region
102
Q

Examples of authoritarian regimes holding elections regimes for support?

A
  • Financial (China, Middle East)
  • Social (Yugoslavia and Venezuela)
  • Security (Russia and Yugoslavia)
103
Q

Examples of authoritarian regimes holding elections to weaken the opposition?

A

Divide and rule

  • Repress (e.g. opposition in Russia)
  • Co-opt (Solidarity in Poland)
104
Q

Roles of elite support role in authoritarian regimes holding elections?

A

Benefits must outway the costs, the elite may be tempted by offers from other parties. Military/monarchy most successful and maintain loyalty

105
Q

Why do authoritarian regimes bother with elections?

A
  • Decrease likelihood of violent transition

- Quieten down a potential revolution

106
Q

What did the New Statesmen poll on Russian democracy find?

A

45% felt Russia needed a special type of democracy in line with traditions and mindset

107
Q

Why did Boix say elites used elections?

A

Tool to give the elite support

108
Q

What is the tipping game theory?

A

You will vote for the opposition if you think others will (Vande Walle 2006)

109
Q

What did Pen 1995 talk about election in authoritarian regimes?

A

Creeping democratisation

110
Q

What did Levitsky say about voting in authoritarian regimes?

A

Under competitive authoritarianism voting isn’t meaningless

111
Q

Link between elections and mass support in authoritarian regime?

A
  • Identify where support is weak
  • Create and link between the public and elites
  • Increase domestic legitimacy
112
Q

How do elections weaken the opposition?

A
  • Reduce secrecy
  • Reduce opposition morale
  • Identify strong opposition support bases
  • Can publicly attack the opposition
  • Reduce chances of a violent overthrow
113
Q

How do elections aid elite management?

A
  • Can reward people
  • Makes elite work for their positions
  • Everyone can be a career politican
114
Q

What is Magaloni’s (2008) Commitment problem?

A
  • Autocrats lack the resources to govern alone
  • Seek elite support, offer a power share
  • Commitment problem
  • Institutions generate this power share
  • Condition: elites strong enough to threaten a rebellion
115
Q

How do you rig an election?

A
  • Ballot stuffing
  • Bussing
  • Vote bribing
  • Intimidation
  • Uneven playing field
116
Q

When do multi-party regimes democratise?

A
  • Top down
  • Links to western democracies (Way and Levitsky 2010)
  • Stolen elections, moral outrage, overcomes the collective action problem
117
Q

How do we measure development?

A

Development is a complex issue with multiple factors put forward
-GDP -Money -Poverty -Health -Inequality

118
Q

What is GNH?

A

Gross national happiness, originated in Bhuta in 1972, measure of wellbeing and happiness

119
Q

Evidence that autocracies are better for growth?

A
  • Autocrats have more autonomy and don’t have to worry about losing votes (Pinochet in Chile)
  • Abadan Crisis (1950s) Iran, PM Moaddegh wanted to privatise oil, UK/US military coup and Pahlani was installed a ruler. Booming economy afterwards
120
Q

Evidence that democracies are better for growth?

A
  • Elections allow votes to punish poverty (Free speech, flow of info)
  • More redistribution to keep people happy
  • Rule of law is strong to appease investors
  • Predictable property rights
  • Predatory state: Credible power sharing ensures protection for investor assets
121
Q

Problems with growth in autocracies thesis?

A
  • Freedom to make good decisions also means less checks on bad decisions (Fidel-Cuba)
  • Lies about economic performance (Magee and Doces 2014)
122
Q

Problems with growth in democracy thesis?

A
  • Theory is normative (Evidence for peace and efficiency)
  • Autocracies also hold competitive elections
  • Democracies not always better at upholding the rule of law (Bahrain 0.83 ROL, 0 Electoral rights 1998)
  • Rule of law can break down
123
Q

Is democracy good for the poor? (ROSS)

A
  • Democracy has little effect on child mortality rates
  • Jachman, no correlation between democracy and welfare
  • Lake (2001), large N proved they are better (Possible sample bias, ignores global health trends)
  • Sen, No democracy has ever experienced a famine when they have a free press
124
Q

Bara on the rule of law 2000?

A

Rule of law is key for investment but democracies are not always better. Consistency is key

125
Q

Boix on regime type?

A

Added effects of capital mobility

126
Q

Siegle on growth in democracy?

A

50% higher growth (not including Asia) for democracies

2nd Year (8 decks)

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