1. Laura Sirbu Comparative Government Period 4
Political Theories
Laura Sirbu Comparative Government
Period 4

2. Theories -Proposed explanations of actual occurrences Systems Theory
Structural-Functional Theory
Dependency Theory
Rational Choice Theory
Rational Expectation Theory
Other miscellaneous theories

3. Just Remember…
For every theory that exists, there are several ones that propose an opposing idea
The result? Interesting debates!

4. Systems Theory
System - “an object having interdependent parts, acting within a setting or environment” (pg 29)
Domestic/National
International
No longer independent entities; everything is interconnected (think globalization)

5. Systems Theory - Diagram
Iran
Russia
United States
Economy
Political System
Culture and Society
Britain
Mexico
Key:
Inputs
Outputs
Nigeria
China

6. But what about… Multinational Companies? Terrorists?
Systems that are not institutions or countries that are spanning these said “boundaries.”
Can complex interactions really be separated in domestic or international spheres?

7. Structural-Functional Theory
Each structure has its own function so that government can operate
Same structure may perform different functions in another country (ex: President of U.S. vs. President of China)
Institutions do not have a monopoly on one function
Criticism: Conservative in its methodology

8. Dependency Theory Two groups: Developed Nations and Developing Nations
Former keeps the latter in a subservient position
Developing Nations increase dependency over time
Kept “down” by economic sanctions or free-trade policies (ISI do not work)

9. Free-Market Ideology
Free-markets help developing nations by giving them the opportunity to grow and become equal players
Short run, painful. Long run, establishes economies.
Look at India and Thailand: there were developing, and are today more toward the “developed” side

10. Dependency vs. Free-Market
Are countries able to “break out of the loop”?
Are developed countries still intentionally keeping developing countries in a subservient position?
An obsolete idea?

11. Rational Choice Theory
All decisions can be broken down into rational calculations
Decisions are based on rewards/costs
People act as if they are completely rational

12. Rational Expectation Theory
Individual decisions may be wrong at any one time
On average, over a collective body, decisions are not systematically wrong
Better to work in a group
Many individuals  Country

13. Cultural Theory Political behavior is based on culture
Decisions are based on societal norms, not rational, individual opinions
To understand political behavior, one must understand the culture of that entity

14. Rational vs. Cultural
Do characteristics of individuals carry over to a group?
If each individual is rational, does that guarantee that the entire group acts rationally?
Can an individual person take in every cue from culture to come up with a singular decision?
Do policies get watered down when there are many agendas working against one another?

15. Political Realism International level is anarchy
Each state is a rational actor working for its own best interests. Think Zero-Sum. Black and white.
States are “main actors;” other supranational organizations, multinational corporations, and/or non-governmental organizations have little influence

16. Criticisms Democracy-Peace Theory Federalism
Democracies tend to not go to war with each other, even when there are conflicts of self-interest
Federalism
There are many levels/stages of power and influence
Did the Zero-Sum “ideology” get America to its superpower status of today?

17. Miscellaneous Theories
The “Great Man” Theory—history is decided by a few influential and powerful individuals
The “Bureaucracy” Theory—the real decisions in a system happen in the push and shove of the bureaucracy
World-System Theory—extremely similar to dependency theory; sees the “capitalist world economy” as “total social system”

18. Works Cited
“What is Dependency Theory?” WiseGeek. 26 Apr <
“What is System Theory?” Principia Cybernetica Web Apr <
Scott, John. “Rational Choice Theory .” Rational Choice Theory Apr <
Ferraro, Vincent. Dependency Theory: An Introduction. 26 Apr <
Almond, Gabriel A., et al. Comparative Politics Today. Vol. 7. New York: Longman, n.d.