professor timothy c. lim california state university, los angeles theory in comparative politics: an introduction

2 theories about violent crime in the u.s. to start off our discussion of theory, we will begin with an exercise … consider the following 3 arguments about violent crime in the United States

3 argument no. 1 A major source of violent crime lies in predictable human behavior. In places where the risks of getting caught are minimal where the potential rewards are high, individuals are likely to commit more crimes in general. This is especially true in poorer communities, where people may have limited access to jobs, education and skills training. In general, though, violent crime is more likely (1) when the use of violence is a particularly efficient and/or necessary “tool,” and (2) where the use of violence to achieve one’s ends entails relatively limited risk compared to the alternatives

4 argument no. 2 Capitalism causes violence. Not directly, but through a unrelenting process that divides societies into the “haves” and “have-nots” …. In this way, capitalism alienates people from each other, their families, and their communities, thus setting the stage for anti-social, increasingly violent behavior among ordinary people, against ordinary people. Violence is a response to the soulessness and hopelessness engendered by an inherently exploitative economic system. continued on next slide

5 argument no. 2 (con’t) Of course, violence is not unique to capitalism, nor are all capitalist societies are equally violent. Where the most destructive, alienating, and exploitative aspects of the capitalist process are mitigated, intra- societal violence is lessened. But where the forces of capitalism are unleashed and where vast segments of society are left unprotected, violence thrives. This is why the United States is the most violent advanced capitalist society on earth.

6 continued on next slide argument no. 3 People and societies are responsible for their own actions and decisions, but they do not exist or act in a social vacuum. Their behavior, in other words, is profoundly influenced by the environment in which they live. This environment, which we might call “culture,” may encourage certain practices and values that encourage violent behavior among certain groups of people. continued on next slide

7 argument no. 3 More specifically, in some places, a “culture of violence” has been created. In this “culture of violence,” members of the community learn to resolve or address problems and conflicts primarily through the use violence. Violence, in other words, becomes a dominant and largely accepted norm within the community. Importantly, cultures of violence are not “born,” but created. Over time, however, violent cultural practices become deeply embedded within a community, taking on a life of their own. When this happens, the culture itself becomes an explanation for behavior.

8 summary of arguments on gun violence a major source of violent crime lies in predictable human behavior capitalism causes violence gun violence is a product of culture which argument do you find most persuasive?

9 arguments about violent crime in the u.s. key points: eeach of the three arguments represent a meaningfully different way to explain gun violence eeach argument is premised on different assumptions about the most important forces and factors shaping human behavior tthe difference can be classified in several ways, including “levels of analysis” theory in comparative politics an introduction

10 levels of analysis: brief introduction mmicro/individual mmeso/societal mmacro/system micro-level meso-level macro-level theory in comparative politics an introduction

11 levels of analysis: brief introduction micro-level/individual  looks for an explanation of behavior within or at the level of the individual actor example: A psychological explanation of charles manson’s violent, sociopathic personality psychological explanations assume that the answer to certain types of violence can only be found by looking inside the minds of individuals: the cause of violence is rooted within individuals theory in comparative politics an introduction

12 levels of analysis: brief introduction meso-level/societal  looks beyond the individual to broader social, cultural, political and/or institutional circumstances to explain behavior  meso-level explanations can focus on community norms or culture more generally; institutional arrangements, historical experiences; state-level actions; and so on The Amish: A culture of peace and non-violence? theory in comparative politics an introduction

13 The Amish: A culture of peace and non-violence? levels of analysis: brief introduction meso-level/societal example:  some cultures encourage, reward, and even compel members of the culture to behave violently  others, such as the Amish community, teach their members to abhor all forms of violence and to work together  consider this: only one Amish man has ever been convicted of murder

14 levels of analysis: brief introduction macro-level/system  looks at the “biggest” forces that shape not just individual behavior, but whole societies  assumes that all human action is both constrained and enabled by factors beyond our individual control  marxists, for example, believe that capitalism is an all- encompassing social system that necessarily, unavoidably, and profoundly shapes our behavior theory in comparative politics an introduction

15 classifying arguments  levels of analysis is one convenient and useful way to classify different types of arguments  another, perhaps, more useful way consider the basic principles embedded in different types of arguments  these principles can be referred to as rationality, culture and structure theory in comparative politics an introduction

16 theory in comparative politics an introduction reprise: three arguments on gun violence consider how each of the argument reflects the basic principles the rational choice, cultural or structural perspective …  a major source of violent crime lies in predictable human behavior  capitalism causes violence  gun violence is a product of culture

17 classifying arguments which research tradition best reflects your current understanding of violent crime? In other words, are you a rationalist, a structuralist, or a culturalist? which “hat” do you already wear? theory in comparative politics an introduction

18 back to some basics: more questions  what is theory?  what is meant by the word “theorizing”?  is it only academics who theorize? it is important to understand what “theory”--at a general level--is. we must know what it means to theorize theory in comparative politics an introduction

19 back to some basics: theory when we theorize, we are …  making judgments about what is and is not relevant or important in terms of explaining some economic, social or political phenomenon  identifying a specific level of analysis and making assumptions about power, structure, and agency  connecting certain facts with specific outcomes theory in comparative politics an introduction

20 back to some basics: theory a basic definition of theory A is a kind of simplifying device that allows you to decide which facts matter and which do not theory in comparative politics an introduction

21 back to some basics: theory as a simplifying device: an example theory = (conceptual) filter theory in comparative politics an introduction

22 another useful metaphor: theory as a photographic lens theory in comparative politics an introduction

23 theory as a photographic lens basic lesson: different “lenses” (a.k.a., theories) serve different purposes; this may help explain why, in the social sciences, there are multiple, often competing theories theory in comparative politics an introduction

24 multiple theories the existence of multiple theories raises some questions … are all theories equally valid? are different theories—even personal ones—all equally good? short answer: NO! There are good, bad, and just plain ugly theories theory in comparative politics an introduction

25 some problems in “bad theories” many people theorize in an extremely superficial or arbitrary manner; they jump to conclusions; ignore or dismiss “facts” that don’t fit into their understanding of the world; fail to acknowledge logical contradictions they confuse “observation” or correlation with causation; never (ever) think about the assumptions upon which their views are based; or regard their theories or theorizing about the world as self-evidently true theory in comparative politics an introduction

26 some problems in “bad theories” the basic problem can be summed up simply: many people operate on a modified version of descartes’ famous dictum (“I think therefore I am”), by asserting … I think, therefore I’m right theory in comparative politics an introduction

27 an amended definition of theory theory in comparative politics an introduction theory is a simplified representation of reality and a framework within which facts are not only selected, but also interpreted, organized, and fit together so that they create a coherent whole

28 key points  theory necessarily simplifies reality, but is not separate from reality  theory helps us to determine what facts are important, meaningful, relevant  theory guides our interpretation of the “facts” (What do the facts “mean”?)  theory tells us how to organize the facts--how do different facts relate to one another? Which are primary?  theory allows us to develop “whole” arguments theory in comparative politics an introduction