AP Comparative Government and Politics How We Compare AP Comparative Government and Politics

What is it? Comparativists Comparativists try to understand the similarities and differences found among national governments and other political units around the world Comparativists study roughly 190 countries and focus on domestic policies, elections, welfare systems, identity based conflicts, terrorism, the environment, that status of women and racial minorities, and much more.

Comparison In order to gain a proper understanding of what is going on the world we compare systems Comparisons are made on a daily basis in order to analyze the choices that politicians and governments make in establishing the future of their states These comparisons are often built with the hope of developing a theory that explains various patterns throughout the world This means that we are looking for an idea that covers and entire discipline There is no one theory that dominates world political systems

Comparing There is an argument amongst political scientists as to how countries should be compared Two ways that comparativists compare countries is through the use of empirical data and normative data Empirical data are based on factual statements and statistics Normative data are based upon value judgments When looking at data we can also divide into two other categories. These categories are qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative data relates to measuring the quality of something rather than its quantity Interviews, journal entries, etc. Quantitative data relates to measuring the quantity of something rather than its quality Measuring cups, length, the number of times someone says something, etc.

Good data In order for data to be useful, it must be valid. There are two different ways to validate data. External validity- External validity is the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other situations and to other people. If you can generalize to an outside situation your study can be considered valid, if you can’t generalize to an outside situation, your study is not valid Internal validity- Internal validity is when the researcher is able to minimize bias during the process of completing the study and the analysis Bias is the cause to feel or show inclination or prejudice for or against someone or something

Method Political scientists rely heavily on the scientific method to make appropriate comparisons After reviewing earlier research, researchers formulate a hypothesis and look at the relationship between multiple variables Variables are measureable traits or characteristics that change under different conditions Researchers then try and determine causation Causation is the principle where one variable is directly responsible for the action of another variable The independent variable is the one that influences the dependent variable A correlation exists when a change in one variable coincides with a change in another variable, but when you can’t necessarily prove causation

Testing the Theory Inductive and deductive reasoning Inductive reasoning is using the facts that surround you to come to a conclusion When it rains the trees get wet. The trees are wet this morning, so it rained last night. All trees have trunks. An oak tree is a tree. Therefore, deductive reasoning tells you that the oak tree has a trunk.

Testing the theory Deductive reasoning occurs when you determine a hypothesis and then find data to support that claim Every house that burned down on the block was caused by faulty wiring. You conclusion is that all homes on the block have faulty wiring. Red lights prevent accidents. Mike did not have an accident, therefore Mike stopped at a red light. Deductive reasoning can also work in reverse when you falsify the theory and then find something that agrees with that concept. You then have to determine why this discrepancy exists

Theories Rational Choice Theory Middle-level theory This theory focuses on how individuals maximize their interests through actions such as voting or rebelling against the government This theory is based on the idea that people will make choices that work in their own best interest Middle-level theory This theory focuses specific features of the political world such as institutions, policies, or classes of similar events such as revolutions or elections According to Ziblatt (2006), middle-level theory is not about creating a grand overarching theory of why governments function as they do, but is designed to focus on smaller features and explain both process and outcome of the event. Once process and outcome has been determined, a broader theory can be created based upon that empirical evidence

theories Systems theory revolves around five concepts: inputs, decision making, outputs, feedback and the environment Inputs are the ways average citizens and the groups they form engage in political life Systems theory can be divided into two types of activities: Those that support the state Those that place demands on the state The environment is everything that lays outside of the government Environment includes a countries history, limits imposed by domestic social, economic, and physical conditions, as well as global conditions

Comparing Throughout the semester we will be able to divide the world into three different spheres using the three-world approach 1) The United and its allies 2) The Soviet Union and its allies 3) The “third world” There are also a variety of other ways in which we can make comparisons The impact of informal politics We will be able to look at civil society The way that citizens organize and define themselves and their interests Informal politics takes into consideration not only the ways that politicians operate outside their formal powers, but also the impact that beliefs, values, and actions of ordinary citizens have on policy-making

Comparing Most Different Approach- Most-Similar Approach- This comparative method examines cases that are very different from one another, but in which the dependent variable is similar Most-Similar Approach- This comparative method exams cases that are very much alike, but in which the dependent variable varies. Choice Approach- A broad approach to studying politics and understanding political outcomes that emphasizes individual political leaders, leadership, and the process of individual decision making. Structural Approach- This is a broad approach to studying politics that seeks to explain political outcomes by looking at the effects of the underlying economic, social, or political institutional setting in a country or set of countries

Input = ? After citizens have offered input into what should happen in the government, the result is public policy Public policy regulates the behavior of individuals or organizations, redistributes resources and can be symbolic. The system is then analyzed by using feedback How do people feel about the policies that have been passed and how did they find out about the policy It allows us to see how systems have changed over time.