Theoretical approaches 6.1

Question 1

what does the rational theory focus on

Answer 1

the individuals

Question 2

be more specific when talking about ‘focusing on the individual’ when you are writing about the RATIONAL THEORY

Answer 2

US
- president
- senators
- congress men and women
UK
- prime minister
- Lords
- MPs

Question 3

what does the cultural theory focus on

Answer 3

groups

Question 4

be more specific when talking about ‘focusing on the
groups’ when you are writing about the CULTURAL THEORY

Answer 4

• pressure groups
• political parties
• factions
• voter groups

Question 5

what does the structural theory focus on

Answer 5

structures…

Question 6

be more specific when talking about ‘focusing on the
structures’ when you are writing about the STRUCTURAL THEORY

Answer 6

• regional power
• election process
• constitution
• legislative processes
• Other political processes and institutions
• sovereign bodies

Question 7

when could one use the RATIONAL theory when comparing UK and US

Answer 7

• PRIME MINISTER vs PRESIDENT (their ability to exercise authority)
• MPs vs CONGRESSPEOPLE (how they have to act rationally to maintain their power)

Question 8

whats a short recap which describes why we can compare UK and US RATIONALLY

Answer 8

• actions are guided more by consideration of their own interests than influence from groups or structures.
• e.g. JUDGES = being able to implement their political ideologies if they act rationally

Question 9

whats a short recap which describes why we can compare UK and US CULTURALLY

Answer 9

• people operate how they do due to the culture that they associate themselves with

Question 10

when could one use the CULTURAL theory when comparing UK and US

Answer 10

• PRIME MINISTER vs PRESIDENT (changing policies in order to accumulate cultural groups)
• TRIBAL POLITICS (embedded culture in society which attracts political parties to vote for them)

Question 11

whats a short recap which describes why we can compare UK and US STRUCTURALLY

Answer 11

• political actions are determined by these wider structures, and that the people who operate within politics are strongly influenced by them.

Question 12

when could one use the STRUCTURAL theory when comparing UK and US

Answer 12

• PRIME MINISTER vs PRESIDENT (how the supreme court undermines their authority)
• MPs vs CONGRESS (collective responsibility and it infringing MPs freedom compared to congress)